Just wondering what kind of a boat can I get for around $3000?

I used to have a nice 16ft boat with a 25horse, front deck and trolling motor. nothing too fancy I didn't have rod holders, any storage or electronics. I sold it about 3 years ago and have been fishing off my pontoon boat and kayaks since then. I recently decided I want another straight up fishing boat. I'm obviously not in the market for anything super fancy with my 3k range so I'm just wondering what kind of boat could I get? Is there any special brand boat or style that have worked good for anyone that you could recommend or suggest?

I don't live on giant lakes so I don't need anything with a huge motor to speed from point A to B and I mostly just troll the drop offs so I'm not looking for anything to high end. I have been looking on craigslist and came across a few that look like they would work but just want to make sure there isn't certain things I should be looking for in a boat?

Since you mostly troll, you have little need for a bass boat style rig. I'd opt for a 14 foot aluminum, round bottom boat. They are stable enough to stand in, and won't rattle your teeth like a jon, going into a light chop.

If there are any ponds you like to fish that have horsepower restrictions, get an outboard you can use on those ponds, or pull the outboard off and go with a trolling motor.

You should be able to find something in that category for well under the three thou of your budget. With what you have left, get the best sonar unit you can afford. It is far more important than the boat when it comes to finding fish holding bottom, be it structure, cover, or transition. If possible, get one with GPS. It will get you back to those tiny pieces of bottom that you find hold fish.

X's 2 rhino! You don't have to spend a fortune for a boat! I know there are guy's with the "My boat's better" than your's, just scan craigslist or even oodle .com there's alway's a ton of reasonably priced boat's on there too, as for myself I paid 1500.00 for my 84 astro glass bass boat that needed a little work done to it and now that it's pretty much done, I got a pretty good deal for it!! I did have to go to Missouri for it though but I did get to go to Bass Pro down there and meet KVD!!! Junebugman