Thanks Psneeld,
I think you have got it straight. My schedule is as follows: the 29th I will get the first eyeball on the boat. My gut is telling me the pictures are less than 50% correct. I was sent a close up of the swim platform and found it showed what I would expect of a 1975 boat spending it's life in salt water. Teak that needs to be oiled or whatever is preferred and a little corrosion on chrome ladder. Also some staining of the deck / hull. I guess what I am saying is that the selling pictures looked great while the reality is a little different. That would not be a deal breaker but may be an indication that this boat is nothing special for its age. If the visual passes then all other tests will occur on the 30th. For the sale to happen, considering the distance and associated moving expenses , the ad regarding all electronics as well as, of course, the basic mechanics hull and deck condition need to be uncompromised. The draw to this boat as compared to one I looked at in New York is the added electronics such as relatively new model chart plotter, depth sounder, auto pilot, installed mast, boom, davits, microwave, TV, new 5KW generator, and misc other stuff. These along with some excellent pictures depicting an extremely clean vessel, bilge and interior are the draw. In the aircraft industry, it is many times preferred that the aircraft have little or very old electronics so the new owner can put in what he or she desires. This is of course if you can get the aircraft at the right price. In summary if this boat is great and all additions work well then it is worth the trip North. If everything isn't great then the New York vessel is looking better. I would have to pay a little more for the New York ship and it has nothing but a VHF radio in the flybridge. It doesn't even have a depth sounder. Also, not engine time logged or recorded but, I would be buying from the original owners. The biggest positive is it has always been in fresh water, I can add the electronics and cabin changes I would like, and the trip down the Erie and Hudson is very do-able as well as a great trip.