I'm planning to buy my first boat in a couple of months after graduation.  I'm in need of some advice on what to get.  I'm not looking for something extremely fast or to showcase.  I just need something that will get on the water, won't rock back and forth too much and is quite.

I've noticed the bottom of some boats have a "V" shape and some are just flat with the nose raised up a little higher.  Can someone elaborate on this?

What kind of motors are reliable? What kind of trolly motors are reliable?

Any other words of advice you think will be helpful to a first time boat owner is appreciated.

Thanks guys.

Go here

http://bassresource.com/fishing/bass_boats.html

most everything you need to know can be found within those links.  

What Cart7 said plus: 1) What kind of water do I fish? If it can get rough don't go for the flat bottom. They can beat you to death. 2) How much storeage space? There is never too muchbut will it hold your gear and what you will add. 3) How many will I fish with at a time? 4) What is my tow vehicle? Must have tow capacity for boat, motor, trailer, gear people etc. 5) Fiberglass or aluminum? If you fish rocky waters or want to beach your boat aluminum might be the answer and 6) Does it fir my budget.

Visit many boat dealers, look at new used and all types. Ask questions.

My first boat was aluminum, with a small Merc and a small MinnKota stern mount TM. Second boat was a used fiberglass with a Motorguide. Third boat was new with a MG TM which was replaced 2 years ago with a MK. I like the MK better but that might be because improvements have been made over the 10 years I ran the MG.

Depending on where you live you might have many months to make a decision. Make lots of notes so you can evaluate the features and how they fit your fishing and possibly other boating needs.

just a few thoughts from a first time boat owner. I just purchased an  17' '84 Ranger 350-v with a 150 Mercury for $3000 and it screams across the water  the boat is in mint condition. I had to replace the TM, I went with a Minnkota 40 lbs. and it moves the boat just fine.  You might want to concider insurance also, I'm paying about $30. a month for full coverage just remmember thenewer the boat the more you are going to pay. How big are the lakes are you going to fish? By the time you are out of the hole are you at the other end of the lake? Your car/truck I have a Ford Ranger 4 banger and it struggles up hills with boat in tow(it's sad when a person in a wheelchair is going up the hill faster than you. If your not good at repairing motors, big motors equal BIG bucks to fix or replace.  Take your time and look,look and look at everything out there. If you key word Craiglist boats in Googgle where ever you live boats are listed there, thats where I found mine or search the web. You might have to drive some distance but the rewards can be sweet. Good luck!