When I started my search I spent endless hours in the classifieds. I went and looked at a couple different boats and researched the brand on here.

Things to think about:

What's your budget
What size tow vehicle are you willing to own
What kind of boating you will do (overnighting requires a different boat than bar hopping (as DD of course))
Get MILD power in your first boat - 1500 Sterlings aren't a necessity day one.
Do what PARADOX said - get as big of a boat as you are comfortable owning day one within reason, and use it RESPONSIBLY. (In MY opinion)

Enjoy your search. Don't be afraid to ask questions here, there are a lot of knowledgeable people.

Get a 46' Skater with 1550 Sterlings or Merc 1350's.

AND A GOOD BANKRUPT ATTORNEY......

Why would you want a bankrupt attorney? F*cker already can't pay his bills, how's he gonna be any use to me? :lolhit:

O Snap!!!!....lol

I love this 25, but I wouldn't mind a larger Cat. We have been looking at the 27 Daytona, Standard Deck for awhile. I has half windshields, no canopies, but the 25 is a great lake boat, handles well in choppy conditions and is fairly easy to clean up after a weekend's use....

my budget is around 300 to 400k,and i would like to run some poker runs.and do a lil bar hoping,im not worried about tow vehicle just brought a 011 450 and have a couple of peter bulits laying around,the skater idea dont sound bad,

Nor-tech, Outerlimits, Cigarette, Fountain, and Sunsation all make good quality boats.. (If i left any out I pre-apologize this was just off top of my head)

what about a mystic,,

New here too
 

Wellcome! Hope you like the site.