Re: A boat i am interested in
A marine dealer telling you to buy a starter boat is like a real estate agent telling you to buy a starter house. In both cases, they make money off you every time you move up.
IMHO, I would buy the boat that you feel would meet your needs best. If you go in knowing up front that it will be too small, you are certain to wish you had something different.
If you sell the boat privately, you might break even, but if you trade it in on a different one, you will lose money.