Buying my first boat

[TxAmAngler]

So I'm new here, but I've been lurking around for a few weeks now. It seems there are quite a few knowledgable people on these boards. I thought it might be a good idea to consult you guys on what I should be looking for.

I like the tracker boats. The aluminum boats seem suit my needs best. I know that brand new, these boats can range anywhere from $10K - $20K depending on size and features. With that in mind, plus the fact that this will be my first boat, I think I'll be looking at used boats. My budget will be in the $4-7K range. I've found a few boats that meet the criteria, but I'm ignorant on pretty much all fronts with regards to boat ownership. That's where I'm hoping you guys can shed some light for me.

What are some of the basic things I need to be looking for when buying this boat? How old of a boat should I buy? What size engine for what size boat? Etc...

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!