I've been fishing for about a year and am fortunate enough to have a couple of friends with boats. I find myself really wanting a boat but have a limited budget and only enough time to go 3 or 4 times another in the summer. Considering the expense and a few horror stories should I make the leap and get a boat or continue to just go with friends.

Clarification 3 or 4 times per month in the summer

well depending on where your located that could be 9 times a year or 24 times a year....

go with friends its easier than maintaining a boat and since you wont use it that much it will just waste your money on registration and taking up space especially if you only use it 9 times a year

go with friends its easier than maintaining a boat and since you wont use it that much it will just waste your money on registration and taking up space especially if you only use it 9 times a year

agreed. but please make sure to offer your friends some cash to pay for gas and maitenance etc. nobody  likes a mooch.

Time spent and money being a factor? That doesn't sound like a boat, more like a canoe/SOT kayak modified for better balance to stand on.

get a pelican