[Dantilla]

I've had three boats. Loved every minute on the water. A couple worthless opinions:

1- I prefer outboards. Much better throttle response and acceleration than an I/O. An outboard is somewhere around 300 pounds and a two-stroke. So much faster out of the hole than 800 pounds of four stroke V-8 and an outdrive hanging on the transom.

2- Trailer sized boats are nice. They don't cost a dime all winter when sitting on the trailer, and maintenance is zero if it is stored indoors. I'm too cheap to even consider paying for moorage.

3- Of my three, I actually sold two of them for more than I paid for them, even after adding any upgrades. On the one I liked the least (the one that wasn't an outboard), I dropped the price for a quick sale to exactly what I paid for it. If you shop artound, there are true bargains to be had with buying used.

4- Do NOT buy a trailer with whimpy little 12" wheels. They need to spin so fast at highway speeds that the bearings burn out prematurely. Don't believe it? Next time you see a boat (or utility trailer) sitting along side a highway with one wheel missing, notice the size on the other side. It's almost always a tiny wheel. A 14" diameter trailer wheel is the smallest I will accept.

5- I still have a bunch of boating stuff- anchor, fenders, tow ropes, life vests, yada, yada... I'll probably buy another boat sometime. Well worth it.