You didn't say what kind of fishing he is planning on doing with it. For the price your mom is willing to pay, you are going to get a decent lake or pond boat. If your thinking rivers, forget it! A river is no place to take a bottom end priced boat of any kind. Figure on about $600.00 and up for a quality SAFE one, and even then narrow down your search and ask here again for feedback. I personally own a JW Outfitters with upgraded cataract oars. I run class 3-4 with no problems and the boat has help up great...Good luck