If the boat were near me, I'd help him out. Dont know why Ibwoulsnt help out a fellow boater?
I don't see what's wrong with asking. Or why wanting someone to see if the boat matches the ad vs is "prom pictures" before flying out is a bad idea.
When I was buying my current boat, I had a marine surveyor do a "walk through" on two boats near Stuart or Ft. Pierce, I forget. It was worth the couple hours of time he charged just for 1st impressions. He didnt find everything he found on the real survey -- but that was most definitely not the goal (it was literally a walk through, not a survey). He did let me know the boat generally matched the ad, the pictures were current, and about a couple of issues (window leaks and rot, bad main breaker) that jumped out at him from 3ft away.
A third seller refused to show the boat to or with any "marine professionals" other than broker/agent present until there was a signed contract -- I passed.
The surveyor was out of Ft. Pierce, if anyone wants the contact info, PM me.
Cheers!
-Greg