re: First Time Boat Purchase

You really should fish or at least boat on a boat or similar model before buying. There’s so many variables no one can answer but yourself. Two people can fish very similarly and prefer different types of boats.

You need to highly consider family outings. Wives get pissy quick when you have a boat and it doesn’t suit them for the 3 trips a year they take to the sand bar.

But yeah, for a beginner with little boating knowledge I think a 17-19 ft aluminum for back bay and lake fishing will be a great option. I prefer fiberglass also and generally for sightfishing glass is more quiet, but aluminum is a little more forgiving for oyster shells and other bumps and bruises of new boat owners.