WHat can I do to prepare.....

[Clammer]

Hire the Clammer & forget about getting a boat

[HatTrick]

There is some excellent advice for you on this thread. I would consider as many charter trips with as many different captains as you can before you buy. There are so many variables that may affect your choice of boats... large boat vs. small boat, deep vee vs. flatter bottom, trolling vs. casting, inshore vs. offshore etc. You will probably learn what you like as well as invaluable safety information from charter captains. Also consider the trip sharing threads that some fishing web site have, its not as surefire, but there are some good boaters out there.

[seabass]

RIJIMMY, you may want to consider a walk around, the kids will apreciate getting out of the sun and any females will enjoy the fishing alot more with the head facilities on a walk, As far as boating.....read Chapmans, take a CG aux boating course and watch the weather, A chartplotter is a nice friend too. Good luck!