As probably alot of us are, I'm on a budget to get a boat. Question is what would be the best for under $2500. I'm in the upper chesapeake bay, bush river.

a) Built up jon boat with late model 20-30HP motor

Vintage bass boat with issues

I'm pretty handy... I think? or at least more than the average person, and willing to work thru a problem if properly motivated.

Fishin lakes --rivers--both ??

It basically depends on the size of the bodies of water you fish. Here in Arizona, our lakes are huge, so the fixerupper bass boat would be the better choice. If your fishing will be mainly small lakes, ponds, small rivers, then the jon boat would probably suit you better.     Happy fishing.

~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~BoatU.S.~

I would go with the older bass boat as long as the hull and transom are sound.    The only downside is the age of the engine and the replacement cost.

Like you I am always pinching pennies.  I purchased an 84 HydraSport, 17.5 ft fish and ski with an 87 Johnson 110 last summer for 800 bucks.  Everything works except the guages, the boat ran good (in the shop now power packs), the hull was in good shape and the deck had just been replaced.  All I did was paint it and replace a couple of seats.  If you scour around and look in the local trading papers you will find a great deal, and then you will have the money to tune up the engine etc.  With the economy going farther south everyday there will be plenty of opportunities this summer to find truly great deals.  BTW I know where there is a 93 Javelin 15footer with a 48 evinrude, in great shape for 1200 bucks, unfortunately for you it is in SE West Virginia about 4 hours from you.  If I hadn't decided to get my boat fixed I would have bought it.  It is a fishing boat max occupancy is 3, trolling motor works, new batteries etc, set up like a pan fish boat, so no flipping deck, but the pedestals are in good shape and it is ready to fish.  BTW the guy is getting ready to go to work in MD, so you may even be able to get it delivered!  Let me know if you want the contact info.