First boat Purchase HELP

[Rlbol]

First off I would like to say hello to everyone.
I have been lurking and reading on here for a while and now have lots of questions! I am looking for an older project boat. Something that I can take my son out fishing in as well as take my wife and kids out and put around in. My kids are both still young so size should be much of a problem. So I would like some suggestions on what brand and model to look for. I would like to find a good boat that will fill my needs and hopefully will not be to expensive to buy. I am pretty mechanically inclined and enjoy working on things, so maybe my son and I can redo it together. So what should i look for? I have spent a lot of time on craigslist and have a lot of different bass book listed around me. also I am by Lake Okeechobee in florida so there are lots of boats around!
thanks

[Palico]

Welcome Aboard

As far as brands there are many good ones. How many people do you think you will have in the boat at once? Are you planning on doing a sking etc.. with the boat? Whay type of water are you thinking of running it in? How fast to you care to go? I also assume your mostly thinking of bass fishing but that should be considered as well.

Bass Boat: Great for bass fishing obvisouly and with a ski harness you can ski behing them. Can get them power from anywhere from a 50hp to 250hp.

Fish-N-Ski: Mix between a fishing and ski boat. Smaller casting decks and less storage options but seats more. Rear decks usually designed for Ski poles so a bit better for sking behind.

Jon Boat: Simple tin rig but good at getting places larger boats will not.

Bay Boats: Usualy not capeted and will work better for more people standing and fishing good choice for fishing cats as you don't have to worry about the baits they use staining up everything. Some good for salt water use as well.

As for getting a used one, check them over well. Check the floors for weak spots. Check the transom, grap the motor and pull up hard, the transom should not give or give very little. Of course check how well the motor runs and make sure the motor is HP is rated at or below the boat's max HP rating.

Most important tip is just to get out and drive the boats before you buy one. See what you like, My Cajun F/S handles completely different from a 250hp bullet!