I would stay away from a force engine,they are ok when they run.....but they are known for giving problems and the parts are getting hard to come by. Like others have said I would go with a 14-16' jon style boat with a 25-50 mercury,yamaha,or tohatsu. I ran a 1448 alweld with a 25 merc for years,it was my first rig. Did everything in that lil boat...fished the bay and basin...even pulled a small troll for shrimp. Wish I never sold it.

These would make a good one....

http://www.southeasttexas.com/classi...de=&distance=0

http://www.southeasttexas.com/classi...de=&distance=0

x 2 on the Force engine, I would not have one if it was given to me. The boat itself looks nice, but for 4k you can almost be fully rigged out with a new or almost new aluminum 15' boat, motor, troll motor and trailer

More like 8k....new motors are crazy expensive. A 25 is over 3k alone.

I'd go for the last link Montauk posted.. in just minutes of work and she'll be a 50 h.p.

Stay away from Force/Chysler OB's.

americanyachtsales.com

They are a repo company.
The boats price on the website is the value of the boat.
Make an offer and see if the bank takes it.
If sold at the price on the website, the bank and repo company make a big profit.
Just throw out a low ball offer, 1/2 of the price they are asking and see if they accept.
Be sure to go look at it first.

For your first boat i wouldnt go smaller than a 1648, i have a 1648 with a 25 and it runs 27mph. It has plenty of room for me to move around and has good size sides on it. I would go with atleast 16' and 25hp ideally 40hp though

No matter what you buy, 2 years down the road, you will want a bigger boat.
Unless you run in the marshes and canals only.
It's called footitis

18FT MANATEE, 150 Evinrude, 20hrs on rebuilt motor, bimini top, good condition, $2200 Was told it was a 1970 something hull
http://i50.tinypic.com/2r59s85.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/671ljc.jpg

what about this would that be a good boat for starting off? was told it had a soft spot but he said he cover it with a new board?

That looks like a money pit if you ask me.

no such thing as a "starter boat". It's either a good boat or it isn't. Don't buy any junk or you'll just regret it.

This! When it comes to boats, don't try and save a buck because you'll end up spending 2. The old saying goes, when you buy quality, you only cry once.

Just remember that BOAT is an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand.

I would get something never that holds it value over something that you would have to get right and the only value is the sentiamental value that you put in it.

Pluses for boats.

Welded over Riveted

Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki some lower HP Mercury, Mid 1990's Model Evinrude/Johnson 60 or 70 HP, under 50 HP Tohatsu/Nissan over any other year Evinrude, Johnson, high HP Mercury's , Force, Chrysler, E-Tec although some people swear by them.

Uncarpeted over Carpet

Hand Control troll Motor over foot control

Thanks for all the tips guys. Hopefully a will find one tired of fishing the bank and pier so limited on the fishing.

Man just buy a alweld, southfork or some other type of welded aluminum boat that's wide open with a 25-40 hp. tiller handle and has a 55lb or higher trolling motor and you will be way better off then any other boat you find in the $5000 range plus you can keep it if you ever buy something bigger or atleast get most of your money back from it...... people give boats away like that last one you posted to get them out their yrd.

Never buy a fiberglass boat with soft spots... Nothing but trouble

Wait around and the right deal will come along. Be patient a boat is not something you want to have buyers remorse about

1993 sea ark mcbass 160 with 93 mercury outboard. Hull is in great shape no leaks few scatches.but just from using it. it haz two live wells with workin pumpes and lots of space.humingbird fish finder 300x trailer in great shape spare tire also is attached to trailer! I have both titles in hand! the motor in the past year has had a new power pack and trigger and water pump and puttin power trim on it now
THAT WAS FROM A craigslist POST

He said he was going to give me a ride tom if it was interested... 2800 is that a decent starter boat?

http://i47.tinypic.com/2553wpv.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/daek8.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/zxt9h1.png