SteelSlayer, I live in Freeport and fish the lower pools 3,4,5,6,7, and 8 with a 16' Sylvan Backtroller with Classic 50 Merc, (45HP), and I have tiller steering. I wouldn't venture into the middle Allegheny for a few reasons. First off, I don't know anything about the river in that area, I don't know anybody who has fished those sections to educate me on where and where not to go, and I don't have money to be rebuildin' a lower unit 'cause I got into too shallow of water. I've been stuck on Pool 6, (above Clinton but below Kittanning) and it's tough gettin' out. From the mouth of Crooked Creek for at least 1/3 of a mile up river on the Ford City side is very shallow.
The size of the boat ain't a problem and I've got enough horses (30mph) and I deal with the pleasure boaters when I have to, although the Jet Skis can be a real PITA!!
If you're looking for a boat that's the Jack of all Trades, (master of none), you may well be better off with a Jon type boat, something wider that floats higher than a Deep V, and can handle 40 to 60 HP. Just my opinion. Regular Jon boats don't have any level floatation in them, but the bass boats like Tracker most likely do have floatation, and they're built off Jon boat principles and float a bit higher, and that means a lot when going shallow into uncharted waters.