Outboards are the best for shallow water. Inboards are tough, hit bottom with one and it gets very expensive very fast.

Sounds like a 20-23 center console might work good for you. 24in's pretty much rules out all inboards, except maybe a small Shamrock or Penn Yan. I don't really like tunnel drives though. Converting either to diesel is going to be pretty expensive.

Your not going to touch a diesel boat for much under $40k, and thats going to be a project. I know of a Bert 38 up in Brandford that someone could probably get for $30k. But than you have to put $100k into it, still nice boat.

$60k-$80k should get you a nice little sportfish or convertable with diesels, with reasonable hours.

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2006 CL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2026 Genesis GV70
2007 Tiara 3200