There are a lot of things you need to consider...

-How many people will be in the boat?
-Will you use it for fishing?
-Do you want a console or a tiller steer motor?
-What kind of motor do you want? (2 stroke, 4 stroke)
-What sort of weather or time of year will you be using your boat?
-If $3500 is your budget are you willing to spend another $1,000 to outfit it?
-Do you need a trailer?

You get the idea. That is a pretty big body of water so you don't want to look
at 14' rowboats with a 9.9 clamped to the back. And in your case I would be
more concerned with the value and condition of the motor than the boat. At a
minimum check the compression (or have it checked). That is one of the quickest
ways to spot abuse.

Plug in some information here and see what you get back. It's a buyer's market
in the northern states right now so hold out for a deal! The dealers are going
to add a premium (profit) so a motivated private seller is going to be your best
bet for value.

http://www.boattraderonline.com/newadsearch.html

Good luck!
Dan

wrote:
I'm wanting a aluminum boat for use while camping on an island in Lake
Champlain. I need something I can beach and pull up out of the water.
I'm also thinking of getting it used.

Would $3500 be reasonable for something basic? What should I look for,
and is there anything I shoud stay away from? Should I plan to buy a new
motor?

I'm thinking of buying one from a marina, but I haven't started shopping
yet.

Any advice and pointers would be appreciated.