>>1801443As I understand it most of what the government considers " navigable waters" are fair game as long as you arent anchored in the channel.
Ask your local fish cops.
Be honest about what you want from this boat. Do you really need a heavy displacement blue water cruiser or a race boat?
Do you plan on crossing oceans (honestly) or just puttering around the coast ducking in and out of little bays and sounds to see what there is to see?
Its all a compromise. A heavy weather offshore boat will cost a fortune and need a lot of water under it. A smaller shoal draft boat may suit your purposes for cheaper. It may not be great for heavy weather or crossings, but needs less water to move in so you can explore the coast more extensively.
Simple is best. Less stuff to break.
A sloop or cutter has less lines to tend than a ketch or yawl .
A foot pump for your sink is easier to fix than an electric pump, same for the head.
You need: water storage, a working engine and navigation lights, a noise maker, a hull thats in good shape, seacocks that are in good shape that actually fucking close, a way to cook, charts or a gps (probably a radio too)
And whatever else makes your life liveable.
You may get a safer, more sea worthy vessel by putting 5k into a 5000 dollar boat than buying a 10,000 dollar boat.
When the time comes to make your move bring a mechanic or a boat person you know. Dont be afraid to look at a few boats then narrow them down. Visit once with a savvy friend and if youre dead set on it maybe a final look with a surveyor.
If you have one boat thats "the one" consider hiring a marine surveyor. They'll charge you 1000ish for an afternoon but may cut the price of the boat in half by pointing out this and that and the other thing that need fixed, as well as giving you a go/no go on the sale and a list of fix it now/fix it later items should you choose to buy.
Watch out for bullshitters.
Read that captain fatty book.
