Hey, Easy-- I can't speak for the other boats already mentioned, but I've run several that I think you might like. I think the Crestliner brand boat, especially the Angler and Fish Hawk series are about the best out there for ride and performance.

I don't like the Smokercraft boats for a lot of reasons, but the largest is that they, like the Lund, are riveted, and rivets will eventually leak. For aluminum, I believe that welded boats are the way to go. G3 has some decent vee-hull boats that you can buy as a package with a Yamaha. I currently run an Alumaweld Stryker (now I think it's the Super Vee LS or something) but that boat will be beyond your price range unless you can find one used. I really do like the simplicity of a boat built by a NW sled maker because they tend to be strong and pretty basic. You won't find livewells or baitwells, and you won't find carpet on the deck as standard.

If I were looking for a 16 aluminum to do double duty on the Sound as well as lakes my list would look like this: Crestliner, G3, Alumaweld, North River, Lee Shore Marine (out of Port Townsend) Work Skiff, and Alumacraft.

Good luck and have fun shopping,

Keith