"Budd Cochran" wrote in message
...

I've seen several boat / motor / trailer combos on the net for 50% to 75%
more than I can afford. That's why I came here looking for advice.

Contact dealers for Lund and Alumacraft about used boats. For instance, my
14 ft Lund (just the boat) sold 5 years back for about $2000 new. I got a
deal on the prior year's model for $1600. When I've seen them used, they've
been in the $1000 to $1400 range, mostly from private sellers, not dealers.
But I recently asked my dealer about trade in value and he said he'd have to
give me a price which enabled HIM to sell my boat in the aforementioned
range.

I've run into quite a few Alumacraft owners who are also very happy with
their basic models, so those are worth looking at, too.

Finally, a friend of mine let me borrow a 47 lb thrust MinnKota trolling
motor a month ago to see if that was enough power for my boat. If you end up
finding something in 14' range, I'd go one step higher. My primary use for a
trolling motor is to move around in quiet backwater without scaring all the
fish. The 47 lb motor was fine for that purpose, but if it's going to me
your primary means of propulsion, you'll want something larger.