Thank you sir... the websites look great.

Whatever you buy, make sure it has the max horsepower. You don't want an under powered boat, regardless of the size. Also look at resale value. Some engine brands have bad reps that will effect value.

If you plan on tournement fishing make sure to keep the toys you'll need in mind. They can get expensive. I think you have the right frame of mind in the sense of not being in a hurry. Take your time, be patient, do lots of research and you'll find what you're looking for. Make sure to take it on the water and have a reputable third party go through it for you prior to buying it. Don't just take someone's word on it. Not only do you want the motor to be sound but also the boat itself. Don't be afraid to walk away from it if something isn't right either.

I bough my first boat last year. It's an 03 Bass Cat Sabre and its 18'. Yeah they're times when it's been really bad out that I wish it was a little bigger but for the most part it handles pretty well in the rough stuff. A lot of it depends on how you drive when it's bad out no matter what you're riding in.

I hit the top end of your budget once I upgraded my graphs to two Gen 2 HDS 12's, two brand new 12' Talons and a 112 lb. Fortrex. With all this, tourney loaded and two people it will run 62. Bass Cats also have a lifetime transferable warranty on the the hull, transom, stringers and deck.

Good luck and please keep us posted...

Do you have family? My next bass boat will actually be a bay boat because 2 adults and 2-3 kids (that only get bigger every year) is too much even on a large bass boat.

No sir, I'm only 17. I would only have a friend or two in the boat.

Are you a tournament fisherman or just fishing for fun?

Plan on fishing collegiate tournaments, as I fished the THSBA trail in high school.

18' is a good starting point to look at. My first concern would would be condition of transom and the motor. Have a mechanic inspect it. Other than that, storage. You can never have enough storage compartments. I just bought a 17.5' and the only complaint that I have is it isn't long enough for rod storage for longer rods. There are enough positives that I can deal with that. I've had it out in 20mph wind which is more than I would have fished with my previous boat. It handles rough water with ease and I wouldn't want to fish in any stronger winds anyway so I don't buy into needing a 20 plus footer because of rough water. For me I have to weigh in the cost of towing and operating a bigger boat and the extra $ would cut down on the amount of days that I could afford to fish.

Then add live well size into your list of what to look for.

As mentioned before check the trailer, lots of posts on here of rectangular tube trailers rusting from the inside out, hard to tell until its gone. Channel trailer is much better.

My boat is 18.5' and handles rough water very well,caught on Texoma in big swells more times than I care to think about but it handled it ok although it was a wet ride. I kinda regret not getting a tandem trailer, my single axle is rated plenty strong for the weight and hasn't been a problem but it is a bit spooky with a blowout and a tandem would handle some of the rough roads/offroads better that I travel.

I would highly suggest trailer brakes on anything over 18', my Tundra will stop it no problem without the brakes on dry ground but wet roads can push a truck on wet roads without trailer brakes, plus you may have a friend pull it with a smaller vehicle or with worn brakes and you will be glad you had the trailer brakes....

I started out with a 17 1/2 foot TV17 Tracker. Then I started to fish Roberts when it opened. Got scared a few times coming in. Never in any real danger but 3-4 foot waves in a 17 foot boat look REAL big. Moved up to a 19 foot BassCat Pantera II with a 200 Merc. EFI. Fishing Rayburn in bad south winds convinced me to move up to a 20 1/2 foot Cougar which is what I have now. If it can't handle the waves, I don't need to be out there.

In my opinion, bigger is better but there are a few times I miss my old Tracker with a 50 Johnson. Like when I stop an fill the boat with gas. OUCH!

Jpurdue makes a good point. If you're planning on keeping the boat in your garage better make sure it will fit. I bought a Skeeter ZX190 ( 18'6 ) and had all kinds of heck getting in the garage. Had to take out benches, build more shelving and still only have 2" on either side. Almost bought a ZX200. Would have had to rent a storage space which creates more problems.
You're doing the smart thing by getting opinions from long time bass boat owners. Do buy the most and best boat you can afford and for pete's sake have it checked out.

I have had my sx190 for years, 18 1/2 skeeter with 150 Yamaha
It's been an excellent boat for me, 90% of the time I fish alone. And as said,
the way you drive your rig in rough water has a lot to do with it.
I mostly fish Rayburn and yes, a longer rig will be my next purchase. But until then
my shorter skeeter is getting er' done!
There's tons of excellent rigs for sale, patience is the key, and a decent mechanic
sure helps to inspect things you may not know about. Good luck to you young man,
you'll find a dream rig soon