Boat Shopping

[jimcameron]

I've owned 2 previous 17' and a 230WA, but (gulp) that was in the late80's/90. I will be looking at a 1980 17. It has been "updated" with a 97 Honda 90, and along the way it has had SeaDeck applied to the deck. The hull has been painted.

I have two (obvious) concerns. First the integrity of the hull, deck, transom, etc. and the longevity of the 1997 Honda.

I understand everything is a crap shoot on a almost 40 yr old boat/20yr old motor, but if you guys were going with me to look at it, what would you look at to minimize the likelihood of a catastrophic screw up on my part. Asking price is $8k

Thanks very much, I wish you guys were going with me.

[Noname Dave]

The SeaDeck may mask any soft spots in the deck.

What paint was used to paint the hull? Below the waterline? Are you going to leave the boat in the water?

Pull a screw from the transom if you can to check for water.

If the Honda has been flushed after routinely I would worry about the engine.