When I was 21 I went to work for my company's Bayliner dealership as Svc Mgr, and got to learn quite a bit about used and traded in boats back then. Since then, on 3 different occasions I have nearly bought the type of boat you are looking for. All 3 times I have moved on, just because I couldn't find the one I wanted for what I could afford. Salt was always the damn issue here and in the NW where I lived.
River boats are easy to pick from. Lake boats are easy, usually.
Finding a clean one that hasn't had serious saltwater issues is tough, Dave, but I bet in your area it will be a bit easier.
If I had to do it right, it would be twin outboards and verifiable service records that it was flushed properly every season at least (of the saltwater). Those are super spendy, though.
If you can find the guy that just had his in the lake, and never in the ocean, that would be cool. Should be easy for you in your area unless they trailered it in from the coast! You can always have a Marina verify that with a good inspection. Demand that a reputable Marina do an inspection on it before you buy.
Good luck brother, boats are awesome, but can be a huge financial burden if somebody sticks you with the wrong one.
River boats are easy to pick from. Lake boats are easy, usually.
Finding a clean one that hasn't had serious saltwater issues is tough, Dave, but I bet in your area it will be a bit easier.
If I had to do it right, it would be twin outboards and verifiable service records that it was flushed properly every season at least (of the saltwater). Those are super spendy, though.
If you can find the guy that just had his in the lake, and never in the ocean, that would be cool. Should be easy for you in your area unless they trailered it in from the coast! You can always have a Marina verify that with a good inspection. Demand that a reputable Marina do an inspection on it before you buy.
Good luck brother, boats are awesome, but can be a huge financial burden if somebody sticks you with the wrong one.
). I would recommend getting something a little newer. Older boats will start showing wear in the hull and the fiberglass will crack. I'm sure even more so in your area with the hot sun. Boats depreciate very fast and bottom out after a short time. You could find the same boat over 10 model years that would cost about the same price.
