[MarkG]

I hear what you are saying - but, let's face it, the boat is over 20 years old, the engine needs be thrown out and more than likely the transom will need some work.

A surveyor will tell you the same thing - the boat will need work and depending on the reserve price it will probably go to a buyer "in the know" about Seacrafts who will expect to put in additional funds to get the boat up to spec.

I would be surprised if the stringers are gone given the amount of use the owner claims but given the number of entries on this site about transoms - it is a fair bet to say the transom will need work.

I am no longer bidding on the boat but would have bought it subject to the price and would have been prepared to immediately a) redo the transom b) check the hull seals (both at deck / floor and and any thru hulls) and redo them if needed c) replace the rub rail d) repaint the hull and possibly the interior e) T-top the boat f)possibly replace the center console g) replace the fuel tank h) repower.

My reasoning for the following are in order are:

piece of mind when offshore
piece of mind that the boat will last
peice of mind it looks good and something I could be proud of showing on classicseacraft.com!

A 20 year old boat is a 20 year old boat - that is the reality and it will need some work.

Again - depending on the price - this one sounds like almost the perfect quasi project boat - i.e. a boat that is structurally sound and needs minor (under USD 5000) upgrades and repairs to the structure and new power.)

If you are not overly familiar with boats and what can be expected to go wrong - then definitely get a survey - it will save you lots of head and heartache later on in life.