Thanks for the reply and good info. See more below:
It's a little twitchy in terms of stability when running, but the ones
that I've ridden in and fished out of were more than adequate. I
wouldn't press my luck with more than three folk fishing at the same
time. As always, engine trim on boats of this class has a lot to do
with how the ride is. On boats that I've been on, that does not seem
to be a problem like it is with my Ranger which is a comparable boat.
I had a '21 Mako that was kinda touchy - especially when trimmed out
but hyd. trim tabs stabilized pretty well and this one has them - hope
the result is the same.

The problem with this boat isn't the stringers, but the transom, in
particular around the engine mounts. Minor stress cracks where the
engine is mounted is acceptable, but stress cracks along the top of
the transom where the engine is mounted aren't.

So this has a wooden transom??

You might want to tap out the bottom for blisters or have it looked
over by a pro. This is not a normal problem for Hydra Sports, but it
pays to be sure. If this boat has hydraulic steering, check the hoses
for cracks and leaks at the ram.

With regard to the engine, this was a transition year for
Evinrude/Johnson/OMC. Assuming that the engine has been running
relatively problem free since it was new, then I wouldn't worry about
it unless you have extreme hours on it. With engines of this vintage
and because it is a transition era Evinrude, it would be a good idea
to determine how many hours are on the engine, have it compression
checked, have a mechanic scope out the cylinders to check for
excessive wear, pull the lower unit and have the seals pressure tested
and just for the hell of it, changed anyway, prop shaft should be
mic'd to see if it's out of round or bent and change the gear oil just
because.

Has 280 hours - supposedly problem free until he hit a sandbar in '03
- replaced the lower unit with factory new. I can do a compression
test but a mechanic checkout would be a good idea.

I would also check the trim fluid just to be sure.

Other than that, just be careful with the purchase, ask lot's of
questions, make sure this is what you really want and if the Fishing
Gods smile on you, you will have a pretty decent fishing boat.

I'll do that. I'm also looking at a couple of newer boats but this is
about half the price and it's tempting to pay cash rather than finance
part. Maybe upgrade in a couple of years when more 4 strokes hit the
used market. Just don't want to get stuck with a "problem child" -
boats are a deep enough hole in the water as it is.

Good luck.

Thanks - again, I appreciate the help. Take care.

Tom.............