Mark Johnson's post above was really great advice.

The way this thing is unfolding in your posts it sounds like the broker is a "great salesman" but don't forget he's not really your friend. He's "playing you".

You're settling for a boat that's significantly smaller than you originally wanted and if you're ready to walk over a couple of percent (or the principle of the thing) that's probably a good thing. You're settling, anyway -- probably just feeling the pressure of a short boating season and wanting to get on the water.

Expand your search. Don't automatically rule out saltwater boats. Boats last decades in salt water and yes metal parts corrode quicker but that doesn't mean they can't be polished/replaced or that they're not just fine as they are. Southern New England and NY/NJ or even Chesapeake will expand your market and the boats can be trucked or brought up the NY canals when you have a vacation, or you have have them delivered on their own bottoms. Maybe Eisberg would help -- at least he would "find out" for you if anything needs fixing.