newbie here

[bassnbeer]

Been checking out the forums here and seems like there are alot of knowledgeable people on here. Been in the Army coming up on 20 years and about to retire from that and start working in the civilian world. I cant afford to live off of what my retirement will be so I wont be spending my the rest of my life just relaxing on the lake but life will be a little less demanding. The first step in my goal of owning a boat occured a few years back when I bought my first truck. 2007 Nissan Titan. I bought it knowing that several years down the road when I got a boat I needed something to pull it with. So anyway I been reading alot of your comments but still not sure what kind of boat I will buy. I need something practical for both small lakes http://www.outdoorsok.com/Oklahoma/Lawtonka and big lakes http://www.outdoorsok.com/Oklahoma/Texoma because I will be fishing in both. I want to buy for the long term and get something I will not want to sell or trade in about a year later. Im doing my research and all the advice I have read on the forums is great.

[geezer1]

Welcome to the boards. Just keep looking around, there's a lot of good boat deals out there right now.

[Tavery5]

Welcome, thanks for your service.

[lilmule]

You might consider contacting local bass clubs and ask what they use someone like
Texoma Bass Club.
Its hard to reccomend any brand or even type of boat for any body of water umless one has been on it.Bear in mind the needs of a recreational fishermen are less than a T fisherman.T fishermen dont pick ramp or day or weather and need to get back in as well as get out,recreational can launch in a protected bay a 40 hp plenty,can go home anytime and wants to avoid running long distance out in the big pond.
So make some goals what speed you want to run at conditons you would fish in,etc and include those results in a search for a boat,then talk to owners of simular boats in prementioned clubs,then take a frreind along who also knows something about boats who has a head on their shoulders.
Most dont buy a high preformance boat right off the bat they buy a 15 ft or a 16 get used to it then trade up bigger faster etc,I did this all my life starting with a 14 ending with a 22 ft,but now retired back to 20 ft-budget
Work make money no time to spend like you want -retire all the time in the world no money to do anything with.
So make a good choice,take your time,and enjoy life
And you can live off it generally just not to the former standards./
Many dealerships offer deals for active servicemen like no markup.Many of the triton deealers are in the pkg that american bass angler has former military bass anglers link is an example not where you should buy at necessarilly.
http://www.teamcandomarine.com/default.asp make sure you tell them your active service or anywhere as its $

[bassnbeer]

thanks! I will definately do alot of research first and of course the new job I end up with will be a large factor in determining what I will buy. Im just afraid that starting low end and upgrading over time will end up costing me alot more than just getting the best I can afford from the start.

[Bassboss]

Welcome to the forum man! Hope you find a good boat!