When you go to buy one if it is from an individual, I suggest printing out the forms on Texas Parks and Wildlife and having the seller fill those out. It makes registering, paying taxes, etc. super easy.

I'd go with a used G3, Xpress, Lowe, or SeaArk aluminum with at least a 40-60 hp engine, and is at least 17 ft long. Stay away from tracker they aren't built as sound.

I second Boss, but don't go with Lowe because they have skinny beams which results in less stability in rough water. I personally have a G3 HP180 with a 90 yamaha 4 stroke(it's one of the quitetest motors on the market). If you find a G3 HP series or an Xpress you definately need to check them out.

Buy a boat for your needs. If mother nature send you high winds and large waves....Deep v..

Look for a Mako 171 CC for the all purpose boat. I have a 89 with a Oceanrunner 115 Johnson 96 and it is a dry boat for a good ride on the bays. I spend days on the coast and you can float in water about 12 In deep. No carpet to clean!!!!. Self bailing double hull boat and I have had several boats over the year, but you need to look for the model when Mako made their boats. A classic boat and you should be able to find one in your price range.

You know, after doing a lot of reading around here, I am thinking about a deep v although I kind of wish I wasn't. Lowe, G3, Alumacraft and Tracker all make decent deep vees, but it sounds like Lund is unsurpassed in this market segment. From what I've seen, a Lund would completely destroy my budget, so I'm left trying to figure out if I want to possibly regret not buying a Lund while I'm fishing with an inferior boat or spend more on the Lund. Meanwhile, I need to get out and fish and sure would like to do it in a boat. My dad passed away Janury 31st and fishing is the best form of therapy I've got. Normally, I need to fish, but now I NEED to fish.

My two cents, for what it's worth: With the fish you are targeting, I would suggest a center console type boat. Most don't have carpet and that makes it super easy to clean, especially while catfishing. Speaking from experience, I would hold off on getting the Lund just yet. Lund makes a very good boat, but keep in mind this would be considered your first boat, or what some might call, a "trial" boat. Get something that you will be happy fishing out of and is built sturdy and fits your needs. After a couple of years, you will figure out what you want in a boat and can always sell this one and upgrade to your Lund. You will also have a better idea of what you will need with your next boat. In short, don't make the mistake of spending a lot of money or increasing your budget on your first boat. Use your first boat to figure out what you want, then buy that boat the second time around. Good luck!

I have some experience in this field. You see I own a 1987 Winner 18'2" bass boat. It has a 1982 175 Johnson that runs about 50mph per GPS (would go 60 if I took the time to clean my carbs).

When a boat is that old you need to know how to make things work in a moments notice. The bilge pump for instance, does it come on when you flip the switch? You will need to be able to fix it on the water if not.

The good thing about my boat is my monthly payment. Not to the bank or finance company but to the parts store. With an old used boat you never really know what your payment will be. I call it a "variable payment plan". Sometime my payment is just gas and oil, and sometimes it is a lower unit. By the way I replaced it by myself with a used lower unit from e-bay.

tt