I'm starting to think about buying my first boat. I have a kayak but I'm wanting to increase my range and have more space. Most places I fish are rivers and small lakes. I want to start pretty simple. I'm thinking 15' aluminum jon boat give or take a foot. This will probably be a long process and the actual purchase is over a year away at this point. I have several questions going into the search.

I wont have a lot of money to spend so I'm looking on a budget. Something used is fine with me but the little bit of looking I've done, I haven't found much. Are there many used boats to be found out there? If so is a used boat a bad idea? What size motor should a 15' jon boat have anyway? Since that seems to be the most expensive part could I find a decent used motor for a good price?

Also, are there any certain features I'm going to want that I might not know about yet? Or extra equipment I will need?

And what other kind of expenses go into owning a boat such as registration, insurance, etc.?

Sorry for all the questions and the rambling. Trying to get all my questions written down as they come to me. Thanks for any help.

Give us a budget top dollar you want to spend. and what kind of fishing you do
Craigslist best place to find a good used boat, second best would be check with local dealer's they always have some cash only boats in the back they took in on trade that there not really pushing to sell.

look at the older Bass tracker's there is always a ton for sell on craigslist they may need a little work, always take it on a test ride no matter what. always look under at the bottom for JB weld, Silicone patch work. learn how to do a compression check (youtube) for you motor

Budget is 3-4 k but I could probably go a little higher. Most of my fishing is for white bass, crappie and catfish.

Look at used Panfish Trackers. They are excellent boats for all types of fishing. A 25 HP engine will do a great job. Any bigger is overkill. If you find an older one you should be able to stay in budget. Title transfer is about $40.00. Registration is about $20.00 per year. Insurance will depend upon value, but all you really need is liability. It should not add more than $20 per month to your auto insurance. Budget about $200 up front for fire extinguisher, two mushroom anchors, rope, and 2 life preservers.

The advantages of the Aluminum boat are light weight and low maintenance. With a small wheel trailer you can actually launch from a grassy shore without a ramp. The stick steering is great for a small and light boat.

I fished from a Panfish Tracker with a 25 HP engine with another fisherman for several seasons. I really liked the boat. The Tracker sales pitch may be viewed here.

You will like the boat much better than a Jon boat or other flat bottom boat.

Good advice above only thing I can add is don't get in a rush be patient and you will find the right deal. Lots of good old trackers out there if you go up a foot to 16' you can get something with decent seats, casting deck and a foot pedal trolling motor which are all huge upgrades over your standard Jon. At your price point may not end up with the prettiest girl at the prom but you'll still get your socks off.

With a Budget that low, I'd recommend a different approach. I'd go with one of these with a 9.9 HP motor

https://www.seaeagle.com/SportRunabouts/126SRY
( you can find these used for less)

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Tohatsu-9-8-hp-Outboards.html?gclid=COqEs4vz9cMCFRNafgods1sAIA
(Tohatsu makes most of the small motors and the big guys private label them)

These boats will not sink in big waves. That's why they are used by search and rescue. If you do decide to go with an aluminum boat, get a deep V and think 16 feet or more. Lots of stories on this forum of people in 15 foot boats getting swamped. Wind can come up quick and it's very scary when the wind comes up unexpectantly and those waves grow big. It's happened to me in my small boat many times.

Good luck and be careful.

White bass Crappie and Catfish, it is hard to beat a Pontoon boat, mine has bait tank, sink with running water, lots of room for ice chest's and lots of room for family or fishing buddys. I also have a Triton panfish stick steer that if it is a short trip or just Me I use, like it alot too, Ive been in 5' swells with the pontoon with not much of a problem, not something I want to do everyday, and not going to tell you at time's it was a little scary, smart thing is get off the water if wind picks up over 10MPH and If Im in the Triton I leave before it get's to 10, but like said above take it slow and look there will be a good deal before you know it, and while your looking try and fish out of every kind of boat you can Beg or borrow you way on board, what seems like a good Ideal a day of fishing out of may change your mind, I know it did mine

Hard to get a 24' tracker Pontoon for his $4K Budget. The pontoon will be a bear to launch so he'll need $1440 (12 x 120) for a slip every year.

Buying a boat is easier if the budget is "whatever it takes"

Look around!! I sold my 2003 Tracker 175 for $4500 so I could up grade. It was show room condition and well maintained. These boats are out there, just look and you will find one.

I agree 100% on loading a 24' pontoon, but I welded up lots of guides under and on the outside of the toon's so me and the wife can load it no problem, wind can give me fit's sometimes, and I was thinking more along the line's of a used 18' bass pontoon, I've seen them under $4000 used.
And like Smithaven said a good used Panfish stick steer is a great boat also, and they are very easy to load and unload, I have a 2008 Triton 1657 SS crestliner makes it now, but I paid $6500 for it used from H&W but when fishing by myself it's a awesome boat.

You can get a super decent boat for that price. My 1st budget was $1000 and came out with a 1978 Ranger Aztec, granted it was old but it was a solid, great running boat. I sold it for $2000 and worked my way up to what I have now. Ill be on the look out!

I'd try shoping on craigslist that's where I found the last used boat, great boat and it was a deal. If your set on aluminum I would recommend buying an all welded boat as rivets tend to leak. Check the hull to see if it is dented up then take it for a run. The hull being dented can cause the boat to plain pourly at best and rob the motor of power.

Tons of good advice out there. I have an 18ft 1996 bass buggy pontoon, great shape that I use to mainly crappie, sand bass and catfish. I just repowered it with 2015 50HP Tohatsu 4 stroke and I love that engine. I too did some modifications so I have a huge deep cycle which powers a 110 volt converter which powers 2 big spots for night fishing. Bottom line here is go all aluminum if a used boat so your don't run into transom rot (big expense) and a pontoon boat only drafts a foot or so water and gives you a lot of room to fish and use for pleasure. Texas requires the boat AND the engine be titled so be sure you get clear titles to both anything you buy. I just had an issue with the new engine when the dealer let his sales license expire and I had to get a "skip title" because he refused to individually title and pay tax himself constituting an illegal sale. He's also fixin to get a little visit from TPand W. You don't have to have a license to sell a boat and motor in Texas but if you don't, you have to title it in your name first. Bill of sale is also not enough.

Don't be in a hurry, and be willing to travel a little to find the right boat! I have bought two boats, both off of craigslist & in neighboring states and couldn't have been happier. Be willing to walk away if you aren't satisfied with the condition, or don't feel that the price is right. My first boat was kind of what you are talking about getting. I shopped forever and ended up buying a 2004 G3 for 4k. They are out there, just have to be patient and do a little research! Good Luck!

^^^ X 2
5mins on Craigslist and I found THIS:
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/boa/4885425494.html
That would work!!!