"Robert M. Gary" wrote in news:1188329696.234831.104620
@e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com:

I'm thinking about getting a boat to use with the family. I live near
Folsom lake in California and am likely the only person in town
without a boat.

Theres part of your answer there, do friends have boats?, have you been out
on them ? have your kids gone tubing with friends?. Some experience with
others on their boats will help you decide immensly.

Even better just hang out with others on their boats for a season :-)
Its cheaper !
Ron

snip
Do you have suggestions for first time owners? I'm sure there is
always the possibility that I could end up wigth someone else's junk.
What questions do you ask sellers? What things do you look for to
ensure that the boat has the best chance of not being junk? Since I'm
not talking about spending a whole lot of money its not a super risk
but if I bought something that turned out to be junk the wife would
just assume that boats suck and lose any interest.

-Robert