Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Thanks guys!

I'm 29. I wouldn't plan to be doing any high speed runs really or very rarely in any case. I'm more for the looks of the boat than having something insanely powerful but I wouldn't want a dog either. I guess if I get that serious about it, insurance is probably the first place I should check before committing to a boat.

also take into consideration your experience driving a boat. don't get caught in a bad ass boat with no knowledge how to handle it and the rules of the water, you wind up getting bit rather quickly that way. there is nothing wrong with a "starter" boat for a season or 2. when i got back into it, i went from a donzi 25 to a formula 311 to My Tiger in a 3 year period. by doing that and learning the ropes you really enjoy it when you move up and you respect the boat and the water so much more.

I expected that response and have wondered about that myself. I have been on a few boats but do not have much driving experience though I am a very fast learner. I imagine a boat is kind of like a motorcycle in that people buy them and drive them a tiny bit and think they are superstars and end up doing something stupid soon after. If i did a starter boat I'd worry about wasting money in the transitions up to a larger boat but it is definitely something to think about. I've already started a boat safety course and learning all the rules and signs but you make a very valid point.

I do not have a truck at the moment but I would have to do the math and logistics on that. I do have a few friends with trucks and/or boats that would probably move it for me but I'd have to consider how often I'd need to move it and storage location. A lot to consider still haha

Being a fast learner does help, but it doesn't help when the lessons come at you thousands of dollars at a time because you bought too big of a boat for your current abilities. If you are going to make a newbie mistake, you'll be a hell of a lot happier when it happens to your 25' boat compared to your Top Gun. It makes a lot of sense to buy something smaller to start learning.

Just making a guess based on your Lambo ownership...you probably like the Top Gun because it is iconic and known for being one of the top boats. You probably interpret it as the best. Do yourself a favor and spend a lot of time in the classifieds of this site looking every day at the different makes. Chances are, you'll find something you may like even more which will suit your needs better. I know I'd be kicking myself if I bought the first boat I thought was awesome.

top guns are awsome boats. ive rigged a few of them and i cant say enough good about them. how much you looking to spend i know where a spotless twin step with fresh cobra 750's and brand new xr's the boat definately has the wow factor when you look at it. one of my fav paint schemes!! let me know i can email you a pic

+1. 10% of purchase price is good general rule for a boat in good condition. This will allow for basic maintenance and an upgrade or two ever year. You need to budget 15% of purchase price atleast once every 4 years for a bad year that will need major repairs. If its in average condition it could cost 50%+ or more to refurbish cost. If its below average condition will cost 100%+ of purchase price to refurbish. These are good general rules for boats that see salt water and normal use. You can lower these cost if you do the work yourself. New boats will see annual cost of 4% of purchase price for first couple of years then will double to 8%.

If you keep your boat at a marina in stafford, you will be paying personal property tax. They also check Inland Game and Fisheries registrations to track you down, you will have to provide proof of where the boat is stored despite registration.

Definitely not a new boat. Would probably keep at Lake Anna or Fairview. But it will be a while before I would actually purchase. I'm not dead set on a Top Gun but those are the ones that appeal to me the most but I would look at all my options

Fairview Beach Yacht Club is very narrow - a 38ft boat almost spans the channel and can be hard to launch - Lake Anna probably isnt the best place to run a 38 ft boat. You may want to start out with a 20 or 25 ft boat.