Bass Boat

[Astrobass]

I agree with the above.

#1. Don't get into payments at 16 years old.
#2. Find a friend with a boat (and boating experience) and go with them a few years. (Preferably a friend that is no longer a teenager. Someone that will let you go with experience and maturity). Learn the ins and outs to SAFE boating.
#3. You can buy a small boat for small lakes to go out fishing. I started out in a 14' V-bottom, and I didn't get it until I was in my 20's.

[Bassky]

Get a kayak, canoe or a small flat bottom 12-14 jonboat around $500. You can get a used trolling motor for around a 100 bucks. Don't go in debt with a loan, too young. Look on Craigs list for all of the above.
Bassky

[00SKEETER]

Find another hobby.

Honestly, DO NOT get in debt over a fishing boat. It is very expensive to be out on the water these days (gas/oil). If you go to the lake for the day you can expect to pay $100 in gas just towing your boat to the lake and whatever riding you do. Buy a float tube and some waders and fish creeks. That's what I thought about doing the last time I pumped $145 in my boat fuel tanks

[Carter1]

I am not sure but you may be required to take the boating course. Even if you aren't I recommend it.

[AndyG]

Do what Ive done. Save 400-500 up and get yourself a 10-12' jon boat and buy a minn kota 40lb thrust and 2 good marine batteries and catch fish. I still fish mine everywhere. Plus, you can haul it in your truck (if you have one) and dont even need a trailer. It will make you a heck of a better fisherman too.

If you go this route I think you will look back and be glad you did when you are paying student loans off in a few years

[offdtop]

I agree with the payments DON'T DO IT!!! But I do understand wanting a boat so.... You doo need to save and buy something decent ana an old boat may seem cool because you get a boat but the headaches involved not knowing anything about boating can cause you to have a good sized yard ornament. That being said you may want to look at the tracker style aluminum boats to start out on, find the model you like and set your mind to owning one - do your research on the average costs to buy one so you don't get taken at buy time and save the money till you can get it. If you try hard enough you will find extra things to make money to go with you already have coming in. And a another good question "what would you tow it with?" got to have that answered before you can even think of buying one.

The main reason guys will tell you about the payments are that you have a lot of life left that you will get to make payments towards stuff and to be tied down at 16 is tough. Also the best thing about having one paid for is if you watch it sit all winter it isn't costing you anything - nothing worse than making a payment on something you have to store for 4-5 months a year.