Hi Cody, To help steer you into a good direction, what is your budget for refurbishing a boat? Is there a group nearby that can help build? Have you considered a new destroyer? Would be a cost effective way to get into the hobby, and at cost you might be able to build two of them to battle each other. Ask questions, we are here to help. http://www.vac-u-boat.com/rc_warship_combat_products_page.htm Lou
If you are by yourself, I would steer you towards the destroyer to get started. Just my opinion, good luck with the search!
I built a destroyer brand new from the website suggested above for your price range. It’s been a fun EASY kit to build as well as drive around. It is cheap, small and easy to take with you anywhere. All around best introduction you can make into the hobby. I have built other ships in the past and they aren’t nearly as straight forward and easy to do if you don’t have help from a experienced builder. I highly suggest it to any newbie as a first ship to learn the basics. Learning to get one cannon working effectively is much easier than 6 cannons. Check my build thread https://rcwarshipcombat.com/threads/uss-black.445821/