I bought my boat 4 or 5 years ago in that price range. I was looking for something with a cuddy cabin, ideally walk-around, 18-20' ... small enough you can easily trailer it, launch it solo, but big enough it can handle some slop without fear. Perfect for inshore fishing and maybe, just maybe, can get offshore on the perfect day. I settled on either the Campion 542 or Trophy 1802. I really like Arimas too, but eventually gave up because I found they were too expensive used for the age of boat/motor you get.
I found a really good deal on a campion in Everett via craigslist. At that time, it was about 5 years old and had low hours. It was about 40% cheaper than comparable boats for sale in Canada.
For a trophy 1802, here's a decent price if you feel like going for a long drive:
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/2823194044.html
You can find crazy cheap boats in eastern USA.
Another option to consider locally is the SG Power packages with a new Double Eagle 16' with camp return 50hp. The boat is a rough and ready fish boat, nothing fancy but NW made and solid; a little underpowered, but good enough. A little out of your price range at $20k, but you're talking a brand new boat. That's pretty sweet.
http://sgpower.com/Marine/NewBoatPackages/tabid/78/Default.aspx
Or a random boat from Everett ...
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1994-Bayliner-2359-Trophy-100405981
This is the boat size and design I'd really like. Just not an inboard and not 18 years old. And therefore no longer $15k and out of my league!
Finally some wisdom from a boat broker, that at the time I didn't listen to and paid dearly for it ... used boats come with annual maintenance and upgrading that is directly proportional to its original cost. For example, for $15k you can choose from a brand new 14' aluminum boat with new power; a few year old 16' double eagle; a 20 year old Trophy 2359; or a 40 year old luxury yacht. They are all $15k to get in but they are exponentially different in what it'll cost you to keep them running. It may seem like you're getting a lot of boat for that $15k, but what you're buying really is an expense stream! His advice, keep it simple and avoid 2-foot-itis, go with the newest boat you can afford that'll just meet your needs.
Another way to go is to buy brand new power, then get a semi-disposable boat you can hack around in and not care if you trash it, just get another. When you buy a $10k boat, you can think of it as buying a motor with a hull attached....DON'T get fooled, it's 99% about the motor. No matter how nice & shiny the fibreglass on that 20 year old boat, it probably has rotten wood under the surface, they all die eventually. And save yourself grief, don't (DON'T) buy an older inboard!
Wow, some quick advice became a long and rambling post .... sorry 'bout that, hope it helps a little.
