Help for secondhand buyers

Buyers wanting to get into fishing often begin by buying a second hand boat -- and now help is at hand.

Boating journo Jeff Webster has released the fourth volume in his series of books about buying second hand boats -- Secondhand Fishing Boats 1990-2005 -- which features more than 100 reviews of boats released during that period.

The book has chapters on how to inspect boats, engines and trailers and will help people buy boats in good condition. It also helps avoid those lemons.

The review section covers bay runabouts, family cuddy cabins, coastal fishing boats, offshore rigs and canyon runners.

Priced at $9.95, the book is available at newsagents for the next six months or online at JeffWebster.com.au.