Leaving the boat on a trailer and in your driveway for example is a very
smart idea also. You do not have to unload all your expensive fishing and
boating equipment and you do not have to worry about people stealing the
stuff as much should it be left at the marina

Not if you live in Maryland the crime rate capital of America...

Wrong, again, fool:

As you can see, the idiots on rec.boats are still around, ready to
wreck a topic thread as soon as it appears.

Back to your question, though. Far be it from me to sit here and
write a 200-page treatise on boats. Just some random thoughts, based
on 40+ years of boating:

1. Think twice about "older" boats, even if you think they're
romantic. They can have all kinds of problems deep down inside o'
there.. rotten transoms, cracked stringers, etc. Modern boat
construction involves some really impressive technology; take
advantage of it.

2. You get pretty much what you pay for. Stay away from Bayliners,
VIPs and other "trash" brands. You'll save now, but pay later, not to
mention being embarrassed when you pull into the marina surrounded by
all the nice rigs, and the boys at the gas pumps don't even walk out
to wait on you. Remember, boats are NOT cars. They're consumer
products, like toasters and waffle irons, and the quality varies
accordingly.

3. In your size range, be sure you have a vehicle you can tow it with,
as well as haul it up and down a wet, slippery ramp. You're pretty
much at the towing maximum in that size.

4. Also in that size range, consider a twin outboard - get the new
4-strokes - instead of one huge outboard. It's hard to beat the
security a twin presents, especially on "big water" like that. Picture
being out of sight of shore, with a dead motor, with black clouds
approaching...

5. There are quite a few good-quality boats out there, so don't just
look at the boat, look at *features*. Size/location of things like
storage, fish boxes, instruments (are they protected?), etc. Washdown
pump, bilge pump (check the size), rod holders, windows, etc. Check
for standard equipment, too. Some boats come as almost bare hulls, and
EVERYTHING is added-on. Others come loaded with everything in the
book. Check utilization of interior space.

From what you're describing, I'd take a good look at a Wellcraft
Coastal.

Ron M.