[MRM]

I grew up on the Mississippi and most of the people I knew lived on the water. My family didn’t at first, but with good guidance from friends, family and neighbors, we got on to the water too, to the extent that I’m comfortable in any fresh water body. Salt water? I’m looking forward to that challenge in retirement.

Anyway, I’ve walked that path from no boat to being a boater, and I can say that a 14 footer with a small engine is the perfect entrance to fresh water boating and you’ll have a ton of fun. The smaller the boat the easier it is to trailer and handle and maintain. You May never have more fun than you do with your little 14 footer, even when you graduate to a Bertram 30. That’s enough boat to get you where you want to be but it’s not so much that it’s hard to learn on. You can’t get into too much trouble with a boat and motor that size, and the smaller they are the more reliable and cheaper to maintain they are. You’ll go through props like popcorn at first, and you’ll ding everything all over the place when you land or take off from the boat ramp - everyone does - so you might as well learn how to do it with a smaller boat where the mistakes are smaller and less costly. You’ll still have a blast and the bass will rue the day you and the kids took to the water, and when you want to step up you’ll do so with full confidence that you have the skills and know enough to select the right boat for you.

You May surprise yourself and find you like that boat for many years and don’t feel the need to go bigger.

Edit: yes, that boat as described seems like a very good deal and well set up.