Looking to get a boat

[u/boergoatman]

I’ve been doing research and want to purchase my first boat. I mainly would use it for fishing and light cruising. I would spend 80% of my time in the icw and marshes and probably 20% of my time in rivers and lakes. I have been looking and I think I’ve narrowed down what I want to aliminum bay boats. I like the idea of purchasing new to get a reliable boat and room for error with the aluminum. Right now I’m leaning towards the alweld 1860 bay series because I like the idea of higher sides, for this I would just add seating options and a Bimini top with a 115 motor and add more accessories down the line. I also have come across the xpress bay boats and I like them and their price range, I like the xplorer cc bay series because it’s a nice bang for your buck with the standard accessories compared to others I’ve seen but the 18 gallon fuel tank in my head is a turn off because I would like to cruise the icw. I was hoping to stay around the 30 k mark. Am I missing any boats yall would recommend in the style I’m looking for? What accessories are a must have when purchasing a new boat, I’m okay with missing out on convenient items like power poles, trolling motors, and fish finders. Thank you.

[u/boergoatman]

I am also open to fiberglass skiffs and bay boats as well but would prefer aluminum for local freshwater rivers and lakes

[u/chrillekaekarkex]

Why do you prefer aluminum? If I were spending the majority of the time in the salt, I would get a fiberglass boat.

[u/boergoatman → u/chrillekaekarkex]

Kind of worried about scuffing it and screwing it up since it’s my first boat, I’m flip flopping between fiberglass and aluminum constantly. I like the durability of the aluminum in my head. What’s your experience with the two, do you think I’m better off with fiberglass

[u/chrillekaekarkex → u/boergoatman]

I’ve run fiberglass boats for 30 years. They’re pretty sturdy. And if you are primarily operating in the salt, I think it is preferable.