first-timer

I was thinking about buying a 1999 20' pontoon boat in decent nice shape but came across a 2002 Islandia that was repossed. He wants $4500 for it with a nice galv 4 wheel trailer. Since this would be my first baot am I looking at a lot of headacks with this type of power plant compaired to an outboard? The boat has been sitting and needs a good cleaning but looks in nice shape. The seats are not in real good shape but somehting I can live with for the time being. The unit was ran for 10 mintues and a report was done saying everything checked out OK. I will not be able to test it out. The price seems very very good for the boat and I would be willing to dump a few thousand more into it if I had to. I live on the west coast of Florida and we would be mostly using it in the rivers some in the gulf. How is the reliability, maintance and expense to run these types of boats? I am so confussed!

Hi, I was all set to go out and buy a used pontoon boat and then came across a 2002 Islandia in prety nice shape and what seems like a very good price ($4500 including gav. trailer). As you can probably guess I have never owned a boat before but am ready to take the plunge. We live on the west coast of Florida and would mostly be using the boat in the rivers, bays and some in the gulf. It anyone has any information on this type of boat (jet drive merc V6) please please tell me. The motor is "supposed" to be in good shape. Since it seem pretty cheap I understand I might have to put some work into it. How expensive is getting work done on that type of unit compaired to an outboard? The pontoon boat I was looking at (20' with a 50 hp 2 cycle) on it needed some engine work also. I am asking for trouble buying a jet drive from 2002? Was that a good year for the islandia? As you can tel I am not even sure what to ask. So if anyone out there is kind enough to answer I would greatly appreciate it. Happy boating and looking forward to owning my own boat (shows how stupid i really am)! Thanks in advance for your help!