Great choice imo and welcome to the Lavey family. Be sure to make it to the regatta you will have a blast. As far as options get everything you could possibly want now instead of later, one would be trim tabs. Congrats on the new ride we love ours. Heres a pic 24 Nu Era 496 Mag HO
http://members.cox.net/cc322/boatpics/01.JPG