Before you buy a boat, just get this in your head. All boats are piles of junk. No matter what you buy, they all suck. Once you understand that then you can go about finding a boat. If you ever had to take one apart you will understand why I say this in the first place. Most boats outdrive style will have a alpha one drive, which suck ass to begin with, unless your motor makes 330 hp or more. Then you will be in a bravo drive, alittel stronger, still junk. Motors are typically identical to car/truck motor with most bottom ends being forged and a more torque'ier camshaft. If you get something new they are typically are gonna be f/i but most are carbed. If you get one with some hours on it, plan on having to rebuild the motor at some point unless you are very easy on it. Jet drive boats are decent, but if something breaks, then you are stuck getting all the parts from a marina or a dealer. Most typical outdrive boats will have motor parts available at autozone as posted they are alot like car/truck motors. I would not get anything smaller then a 19'. It will be a rough ride if you do. The rest is personal preference.