<p><strong>Introduction</strong> <br /><br />So, you are ready to buy your very first powerboat! How exciting! You can probably already see yourself out on the high seas, enjoying the wind, the sun, and the waves - doing what you know you love - boating! <br /><br /> If you're like most soon-to-be power boat captains, you've already planned your first boating trip, and the only thing stopping you from leaving this very minute is the fact that you haven't bought the boat yet. <br /><br /> The first question you may ask when you arrive at the dealership will most likely be 'how much does it cost?' But this really isn't the first thing to consider. Neither is 'how fast does it go?' <br /> While these are questions that need to be asked at some point, they aren't the first things to consider. A great deal of thought and research needs to go into purchasing a power boat - even if it isn't your first one! There are many decisions to be made. <br /><br /> First, you need to understand that certain elements of a power boat have a huge effect on the boats performance, handling, and safety. Not taking these things into consideration could result in a disaster on the open seas that you don't even want to think about right now. Let's just say that not taking the time to select the right boat for your boating needs could result in a tragedy, such as death. <br /><br /> That's what this manual is for - to help you discover everything you need to discover in order to make the right