Re: Purchasing first boat.. Need help
You are choosing wisely for your first boat.
Focus on the motor since the hull is basic and any problems would be apparent. Buying used usually gets you some rigging, too, which is expensive. Get a used trailer. Do NOT buy a neglected boat for your first boat or you will just be frustrated, and broke, unless you already know how to rehab boats (including wiring) and would rather work on them than ride in them (about a 4:1 ratio for hours working:hours riding).
Consider your hull design based on your waters: a flat boat for shallow/smooth or a spoon bow for swells? A Carolina Skiff will handle both, although it will beat you up in chop. So what you're a guy fishing, not trying to freshen your lipstick and worried about bumps.
Study the guy you are buying from. Is he squared away, or a slob? Careful or wreckless? You are basically adopting the teenager he has raised, for better or worse. Does he seem like the kind of guy who wouldn't mind a phone call or two after the sale? Does he have the paperwork in good order? You might feel comfortable enough to buy without a test run (I did), but be sure the motor starts, runs, and has good compression, and budget in a carb job.
Some used boat dealers will give you a short warranty. Many of them have trade-ins to unload. Get on their list.
An outboard center console is one of the most popular boats, but one that people keep unless trading up. Or even if; lots of people would keep a good smaller center console once its paid for. They will sell quickly, so be ready to jump. Many sell by word of mouth and never make the ads. The searaybayliner bow rider is also popular, but there are a lot on the market for the opposite reason. You're smart to avoid them and to avoid stern drives.
