ehhh truthfully... id stick right on here.... I trust the fishermen on this forum to be better care takers of their boats than the average person on craigs list..... I would truthfully sit down with my wife and say okay.. we have X amount we will spend on this new hobby
And go and find yourself the best possible boat at that price
I will give you my experience I purchased a 1987 sea nymph fish and ski with a blown motor that was completely set up with 4 riggers fish finder and gps it was less than $2000 for the boat
I had a brand new 90 hp etec put on and I was all in on the boat for 13-14k the hull of the boat is fine... come cosmetic blemishes sure but a fishing machine and had a brand new motor on it that I know I baby. This along with all new wiring, new batteries the whole 9 yards.... the boat is 100% turn key and go every single time. No BS at the dock
In my opinion this is the way to go. People get all caught up in the hull and bells and whistles and forget to think about the big ticket item they are buying... A motor
For 12 k you could probably get a 2001ish lund that looks amazing!!! and a 14 year old motor opposed to a brand new motor
i like them because they are smaller and not so thick..... thick 25 30 lb salmon is like a burnt raw tire in the smoker because it just sucks up the smoke like a sponge