JohnM wrote:
I have plenty of the skills and sweat to make it pay Paul and to drive
around 'till I find an appropriate boat is a good idea. Trouble is I may run
out of time and have to leave the US on an un-prepared boat. Finding a US
agent looks the best bet so far. If someone asked me to check out a damaged
boat in this state and take some photos etc. I'd do it. There must be
someone in the US who would do the same for me.

I would suggest you do a search on surveyors. Gen a list of them in
various locales so you can have a cadre of local guys who know what they
are looking for. It will cost you a few dollars per boat, but the
overall cost won't be crushing.

I would also be optimistic about a visa extension if it came to that.

-paul