Thanks for the replies. A survey would come after I've already looked at it and have decided I'm interested in buying it. Info that would help me to make a first assessment when I go take a look at it would be helpful but, from what I'm reading here and elsewhere, I should probably expect to find some rot considering the age of the boat. I haven't spoken to the owner yet so maybe it wasn't always left in the water, maybe rot was there but fixed when the boat was repowered, maybe I should just call the guy and ask him.
I would expect quite a few things - 1’easy thing to check quickly is the fuel fill hose. Get a flashlight and look under the gunnel at it.
Where I’m going with this is , the age of that boat - other systems will come into play,such as the fuel system and the electrical system .
As a consumer,I’d you’re not familiar with these systems ,you can guess the rest …
Not being stored in the water - that has little bearing on dry rot. Dry rot is a fungus,it comes from rain water. Saltwater actually works to preserve wood and freshwater actually bring dry rot.
a phenolic hammer is your friend - tap that hammer around on the transom, paying attention to scuppers , drain tubes , top of the transom - where the aluminum trim is.transducers installed - these are often a problem, along with trim tab hardware - these are areas that will bring moisture into the transom core. Using that hammer , tap the surfaces , you should hear a sharp distinct sound - if you hear a dull thud , you found a problem,that would be delamination.
sometimes an experienced, qualified marine tech can find way more problems than surveyors …
you need to be realistic about this - that boat is a 1986, it’s old ! 36yrs old , you need to expect to dump some money into that old girl , how much depends on you and being aware of “the point of diminishing returns” even those notes are 10yrs old…
again, be realistic …
