I'm doing my research and planning on getting a 28' or so performance boat in the next couple years. I was thinking about when I bought performance cars in the past, there were things you only realize after you bought them.

So what do you wish you researched more or what do you wish you knew at that time?

I wish I would have been more particular. And a good survey done by a reputable high performance boat surveyor is worth its weight in gold.

Make sure you buy a boat big enough that you don't want to trade up after the first summer....

2nd that

I wish I knew I was going to break a rod that summer, I would have spent less on beer.

All kidding aside, my first boat was a very long drawn out, research filled process and it was worth it.

My second boat was bought on impulse, sight unseen. I had an idea of what I was getting into but not a clue as to what it would really take to get it how i wanted it. I will not speculate on your budget, but if you think the boat needs a few things here and there, chances are it needs a whole lot more than that. It also really depends on your standards. My suggestion is to buy something that has a strong reputation for quality.

Grab the $110k in 1988 and put it in Microsoft...

Don't get 3-foot-itus. Just buy 3 feet bigger than you think you should.

Oh, and older Fountains don't have cupholders. WTF.

That if you run hard in rough water in a bass boat you will destroy the hull. More deadrise!

Oh, and the whole ex-wife thing.

Wish I would have boat a newer boat with higher payments and newer motors instead of an older boat in great shape that I sunk 14k into to the 2 summers