I agree you get a lot of boat for the $$. My 25 Citation bottom is based off the 27 Victory and in rougher water (3-4' slop) it definitely becomes a drivers boat but totally handles it. I've boated LOTO a few times for the Support Our Troops run and also a couple of the Great Lakes without any issues or feeling like I didn't have enough boat. (I've not seen LOTO at its worst tho and I hear that lake can get angry.) Just adjust your speed and trim for the conditions and operate intelligently.

Advantage does make a solid boat and mine does not show more than a few small stress cracks in areas you would expect it. In the 7 years I've owned mine I've not had one issue with build quality, rigging, etc. In fact with the higher end materials Advantage uses if the boat is well cared for many times they will look "new" for a long time.

A friend of mine has had two Advantages at the Ozarks. He had a 27 then stepped up to a 34. He couldn't get away from the built-in blender I guess.
He sold his 27 probably 4 years ago. As far as I know, the new owners are over in Papa Chubby's cove across from TanTara.

I have a 27 victory closed bow that's been used in everything from small local lakes to the Pacific Ocean and lake Powell. It handles rough water pretty well, should be no prob on LOTO. no it won't ride like a 38 cigarette, but it's comfortable. As far as build quality, one thing that always stands out to me is my drive alignment is never out, it's always spot on which tells me in the pounding, the motor isn't moving and neither is the hull. No stress cracks in. Mine after 14 years. As said, not the fastest hull and honestly doesn't like going over 80, but runs well with moderate power. Overall it's a great family boat with more room than any other 27-29' boat I've been in. Any other questions feel free to ask.
-Tom