If you really want to get started for a lessor amount of money, consider looking at an aluminum boat... Far less rot repair, typically most wood is in the transom and relatively easy to replace. Start with an outboard, easier to replace, less issues overall. In all my 60 plus years as a boat owner, only owned one glass boat, that one cost the most in repairs and had the shortest life. All the rest have been aluminum and most are still on the water !! Less fuel, less power needed, no buried, hidden wood to rot out !! Big boats are better in glass but anything under 24-26' is better in aluminum. Some may choose to argue this point but numerous articles have been done by consumer groups on marine products, overall value, less maintenence, less depreciation, longer life expectency, less fuel costs etc all go to aluminum hull boats when compared to similiar size fiberglass boats.
