What kind of boat should I purchase?

There are a large variety of options in recreation boats.  You can purchase a sailboat or a power boat, and the latter can have inboard or outboard engines while a sailboat can be single or multi-masted.  You also need to decide the length you can safely operate based on your experience, the average depth of the water where you intent to use the boat, and whether you will keep it on a lift, in the water, or on a trailer.  Finally, you need to decide on your budget for both the initial purchase as well as ongoing maintenance, which can typically cost 10-20% of the purchase price based on complexity and age.