[porscheguy]

Found it on Craigslist. Got it for next to nothing because the engine block was cracked. Already purchased a replacement engine and working on the install this weekend. Aside from the engine, it has some of the usual issues for a boat of this age. Faded and oxidized gel coat. A few tears in the vinyl. A previous owner covered the original floor with plywood so I suspect there may be a few soft spots underneath, but as it is now, it's pretty solid. Transom is solid also. I'll get a few seasons out of it before I have to look into any structural repairs, at which point I may just discard it and find another.

Boats get a bad rap for the perceived cost to own, operate, and maintain. I will say this much. Prices on some boat stuff is ridiculous. But you can work around much of it if you're willing to turn some wrenches. The majority of problems that boats suffer from are lack of use coupled with a failure to adequately prepare the boat for long periods of inactivity. Case in point, my cracked engine. This could have been prevented. You don't even have to fully winterize, all the previous owner needed to do was spend five minutes to pull the engine and exhaust drain plugs.

It's been 17 years since I last had a boat. Will update pics once new engine is in and I've spent some more time cleaning it up with the buffer.