Re: Help! picking the right v-bottom jon boat
The boat with less deadrise (angle of V in the hull bottom) will be more stable at rest and will float shallower; however, it will ride rougher in a chop and possibly be less safe in BIG waves than a boat with a greater V in the hull (more deadrise). Also, the boat that has a deeper V in the bow should be able to handle larger waves easier, but will be less stable at rest. All boats are a compromise.
As TD said, the wider one will be more stable. Wider boats also jump on plane quicker and stay on plane at slower speeds. On the flip side, they are less efficient and ride rougher than a narrow boat.
I don't know those specific boats, but both companies are still in business. Monark is now known totally as SeaArk boats (a company that specializes in customized aluminum boats and work boats), and Lowe boats has been bought out by another company (Brunswick, I believe) and they now make cookie-cutter boats for the masses (e.g. - you can buy the same exact boat with your choice of the name Lowe, Crestliner, Nova, etc. on the side).
