On Jun 26, 12:27*am, Bill H wrote:
I'm retired/limited income, lotsa time. *I've been looking on craigslist
at affordable boats (small ones) and find things like:

This is a tri hull with a 79' 35 hp evinrude. It comes with an EZ loader
trailer with new wheels. The boat has new lights. Motor has a new
starter, new fuel pump. It needs to have the stator replaced. Stator can
be bought on e bay for $50. 800 OBO takes it today. Call Mike at
XXX-XXX-XXXX, or reply to this post.

This isn't necessarily one I'm interested in, but is representative of
what you'll find there. *My question is, How repairable are 30 Yr Old
motors and what is parts availability? *I've got a garage full of hand
tool, and been a shade tree mechanic for years. *Just wondering...

One item you have to look at carefully on older boats is the wood
inside fiberglass hulls. For a long time wood has been used as
stringers, transom, and floor in fiberglass boats. It eventually gets
wet and rots. The problem got a bit worse when the floatation
requirement came into effect for small boats. The manufacturers
solution was to pump foam under the floor. The problem is that the
foam traps water and can accelerate the rot problem.