I've been looking for a boat for over a year.  My price range is in the 5K neighborhood.  I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a basic rig to get me on the water.  I live in N. Ala, which is a fisherman's paradise and loaded with boats. 

 

A little background about my search:  July 2013 friend of a friend has a 94 Procraft 17ft. 90hp Merc.  He hasn't been using it and wants to sell.  I check it out and then have mechanic check it.  Result is a motor with a bearing that is about to go out.  August 2013 find a 2001 Xtreme 18ft. 90hp yam. on CS.  I check it out, then have mechanic check it.  Result is lower unit shaft that is warped.  Search continues until this last weekend.  Find a 1994 Nitro 18ft. 115 Merc.  boat is great shape and I know the seller.  I check it out, then have mechanic check it out.  Result of "all is good."  Money changes hands and I'm super excited.  Less than 24 hr. later I'm vacuuming out boat and the edge of the carpet comes up, no big deal until I see that the floor of the inner hull is cracked and busted.  A repair attempt was made at one time, but didn't take.  I call the seller and he had no idea of the proablem and agrees to take the boat back - he is truly a stand up guy.  I say all this to say - what am I missing?  Is my price range too low?  Is it just bad luck?  Should I expect the process to be this much trouble?  I've jokingly said that I didn't have this much trouble finding a wife!  Thoughts appreciated!

I say all this to say - what am I missing?  Is my price range too low?  Is it just bad luck?  Should I expect the process to be this much trouble?  I've jokingly said that I didn't have this much trouble finding a wife!  Thoughts appreciated!

 

I think you hit it on the head with your question is my price range two low?  Finding a used boat with a reliable motor for $5000 grand is going to be a tough nut to crack. Especially when your looking at a motor over 75hp. I wish you the best with your search.

That money probably puts you into an aluminum with a 40 hp or so.

For 5k, you be better off looking at a used aluminum rig.

Thx for the replies. I'm going to increase my budget and see what happens