Looking to buy a boat

Hey guys, looking to purchase my first boat. Recently purchased a cabin on a 200 acre lake in Wisconsin. Looking to buy a boat to mainly just use up there. Not looking for anything too fancy probably something under $7000 or $8000. Just wondering places to look or if anyone is selling. I’m located in the Rochester area. Thanks

Craigs List. Do your homework and run the boat & motor before handing any cash over.

Many shops will give it a look over for you for a Benjamin or less if they know beforehand you’re coming in.

Lots of options for $7k and under. 14-16′ tiller would be a great choice imo for that size lake and first boat.

If you are married momma is going to want a pontoon which would be a good option for that size lake.

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated

I live on a 188 acre lake. Here are a few questions:

Are you married?
Do you have kids?
Do you expect to have friend come visit?

I started with no boats and now have three. None of my boats cost more than $6000. In all cases I shopped craigslist for about a year to find them.

My wife bought the first boat sight unseen. Not the best way to purchase a boat but it was under $200. Since the lake is small, I fish out of it regularly.

Boat one is a 1970 – 11ft Weere paddle boat – took a solid winter to
restore.

The next boat took me about a year to find. I bought from a widow of the original owner for $5000. She would only take cash, and I paid her with 50 – $100 bills. It took me about 9 months to get a clear title since the owner was gone. It sits at the dock in front of the house. It serves as the general purpose boat that fits the needs for wife, kids, and visitors. Fishing, tubing (not fast), lake cruises (cocktails with friends and neighbors).

Boat two is a 2005 – 17ft Forester pontoon boat w/ 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke
It was in great shape when I bought it, it was 7 years old and had
sat in the garage at the previous owners cabin for 3 years. Went
into the local marina for carb cleaning when I got it. Starts and
runs like your car. I do not own a trailer so the boat goes in the
spring and comes out in the fall. The snap cover keep it clean and
I don’t have to be around for it to be used.

The last boat is a fishing toy. It was intended to be project when I purchased it, Paid $800, took me about a year to find it, used it for a summer to make sure it was a diamond in the rough not a piece of poop, then took a year and a half to restore it. It needed everything. It sits on the trailer and rolls at least once a month to attack larger more interesting bodies of water.

Boat three is a 1981 Lund – 16ft Pike Dlx / 1985 60hp / Shorelander
trailer. Completely restored (Floors, Carpet, Console, Seats,
Wiring, Deep cycle batteries, on board charging, Over 400 stainless
fasteners, custom paint and graphics, etc). Currently is a networked
floating Humminbird ad. (2 – Helix 9s -Si and Di, Powerdrive with I-
pilot Link, Humminbird 360. It is comparable to any new fishing rig and I have
about $6000 invested. A whole lot less than new.

Boats are many things to many people. The key is how you plan to use them. Most of the people that live on my lake have at least one boat and one of the boats is a pontoon.

Thank you a lot everyone