I am a Deep-V aluminum boat guy myself. I prefer rivets to welds.
As for boat manufactures, I prefer top of the line stuff for longevity. If you consider a boat disposable or your going to trade it in in a couple years, go with a cheaper model. Realize well built boats hold resale value, cheap boats don't.
Boat choice is really personal preference. YOU need to define your requirements! Flat bottom, semi-v, deep-v, bass, etc. They all have their place and type of water they excel on. Where will YOU be fishing mostly? North, South, East, West, Rivers, In-Land lakes, Great Lakes, Canadian Shield, etc. What species will you fish for most of the time? What power requirements, main motor, kicker motor, bow mounted trolling motor, transom mounted trolling motor, tiller, etc.
What method of fishing will you predominantly utilize? Trolling, slip bobber, spider rigging, back trolling, jigging, combination, etc.
What boat you should get depends on how YOU answer those questions. You won't be happy in a 14' jon boat on the ocean. Nor will you be happy with a 21' deep-v fishing machine in a farm pond.