I've been half a## shopping for a new boat. I'm new to boating and to be honest don't have a clue what I'm doing. I know what I want from a boat but am afraid of making a bad choice. What I want is a used boat I can use in both fresh and salt water, a center console, moderate four stroke power, a size that can be pulled by a Tocama 4 banger, all for around $5500. Are my expectations too high? What are the things you look for in a used boat?

I would look for an aluminum boat for more boat for the $. You can buy a bigger aluminum for less than the same sized glass. I'm sure you could find an older glass boat but think about boat maintenance and getting parts. New CA emissions will be in effect soon just watch. I think by '07 all 2 stroke dirtbikes will no longer be sold in CA. You can't buy a new boat now without a 4 stroke or direct injection style 2 stroke.

Aluminum is easier to maintain because you can just wash it off after the salt. They are more forgiving if it touches some rocks. I know a guy that uses a 16 foot Klammath in the salt and in fresh. You can buy a boat like his for around 5-6K new. I fished out of it a few times and it was really stable suprisingly. I am not affiliated just giving you an example. I have a 15'6" Sea Nyph that I use in fresh and salt (bays and harbors) and it has been perfect. In San Diego bay it can be pretty rough from all the boat traffic, with there being no speed limit and Navy ships running through. My boat is really stable for its size and that impressed me.