If this is your first boat, get a used alum one. You can put lots of dents in in and modify it the way you want it and not feel bad about drilling more holes when you realize that it's not a good idea to put your heater on the same side as your rod holder (I learned this lesson and many others on my first boat) After you get an idea of what you want and can't think of anything else you'd change then order yourself up an new one and have everything done just the way you want it. Everyone has their own opinion on how to best set up a boat, but in the end it's up to you. It is a lot less painful to be redrilling holes in a "cheap" used boat than in a brand new one.
I'll always go alum. If you can find one with a UHMW bottom, get it, espicially if you like to row the skinny stuff. The UHMW will also save your @#! on occasion. Good luck and have fun