Right now there are some extra-ordinary buys on boats.
First on this boat: As Joe says, Brewer is an outstanding designer. He is also a person who has spent time on his boats and at sea.
Aluminum in the 5000 series is very salt water resistant. However, with the DC power systems, and if the boat has been in marinas (she is 18 year sold) you want to look very carefully at guaging the aluminum to be sure that there has not been any electrolysis or galvanic action.
The power: Although Brewer is correct that 75 to 90 hp is good, it does not leave much margin for heavy wind or seas. Most would go with slightly larger engines--but these are "do-able". The fuel at 500 gallons is a bit shy if you really want to do some long distance cruising--but this is not a transoceanic boat. With 1000 gallons, you might consider longer trips. Right now with the way things are in central America, you can most likely make the Canal with no problems.
Layout: It is basically a one couple boat. The head is some distance from the sleeping cabin--and this may be a draw back. From the foreward cabin to the head, is a trip through the pilot house. Also a foreward berth boat is not a good boat for overnight passages--and this boat does not have a good sea berth that I can see.
She is light (economical--but may be a problem in heavy seas). The DC power to inverters is a modern idea--and will work. This means that Air conditioning is difficult to use--and looking at the AC unit it was way small for the boat (I suspect that only one area is air conditioned). The other systems are well thought out.
On the other hand, I know of a 1987 projection 40 foot sundeck motor yacht, with twin 135 Perkins-with complete re-do in the last 2 years (engines, bottom, genset, tranny, appliances, electronics) for $87,000--and other not so well kept versions for as low as $60,000 (boats which do not have deck or the typical Taiwan leaks). These boats would have sold for $150,000 2 years ago--its the recession.
