well, if you already have a 3/4 ton or larger truck, I would go with a glass boat... can't beat the maintanance, but if you have a 1/2 ton or car I would go alum. and the best piece of advice I have GET A BOAT WITH A ROOF. Ragtop hardtop whatever... if you want that wife and kids to enjoy it as much as you... make sure it has a top... you are in oregon... sometimes it rainshailsnowsleets.. and sometimes its worse. Don't underbuy a boat, get what you need, if you can't afford it, wait and save a little longer, it can be very hard to sell ANY boat, you don't want to get stuck with something that does not suite you. Good luck