I agree with Skeetbum's comments about tin boats, well said. I have an 04 Tracker PT175 w/ a 60merc. IT is a GOOD boat, you'll see lots of people on this forum and othesr knocking tracker boats, for several reasons, some may/may not be valid. My tracker has served me very well. I don't take fishing very seriously (not like some members here), I go for the fun of going and having something to do other than sit in the house doing nothing. My boat is easy to launch and load solo, easy on gas, dependable, has given me viturally ZERO problems, does not leak, the floor has not rotted out (numerous comments about the flooring will rot out on tracker boats) my boat has been stored inside from day one when i bought it new, but other tin boats have wood flooring as well. My boat does rock from other boat wakes, but rides pretty good in rough water (I do stay dry but it does slap the wakes and waves). I bought the PT175 because it was a package boat, ready to go fishing, and it is, all you need is stop for gas and load your gear, then go fishing. Other manufacturers have package boats as well, I have not fished from any other makes so I'm not knocking them. Look at all the versions that may fit your style of fishing and budget. I would suggest you get as wide of a boat as possible as this increases the overall comfort and pleasure you will get, and get a motor that is as close to the max HP rating for the boat as possible, this will make the boat perform well when running up/down the water. I do wish my boat was wider to reduce the rocking motion I get, as I also get a sore lower back from the rocking motion like skeetbum mentioned. I believe tracker offers a pretty warranty on the wood flooring in the new boats but I don't think it is transferable to 2nd owners and beyond. If you have a place to store out of the weather no problems, if you don't, then buy a good cover for it to keep the flooring as dry as possible, that's just common sense. Other makes may or may not have wood flooring but I am not sure. Talk to the dealers and web sites to get a good handle on the components used to make their boats. GL
GO BIG ORANGE !
I meant to behave, but there were just way too many other options available at the time.