Kingman, the answers you have here are good info. Condition is the prime factor. The 2 most common things that are hardest on a boat are poor storage practices and non-use. You could find a 25 year old boat with 100 hours on it. Even if that one was stored indoors, it may not have been used in years and could have been parked without battery or fuel care, and you will have at best a huge hassle to fix or a huge $$$$ for repair to damaged components.
I take a bit of an issue with:
"If everything is original to 1991, the motors, the electronics, etc. it's
behind the times. Not a terrible thing, but take into account updating electronics could cost a couple grand. New engines would push this boat into what you could pick up a much newer boat with newer everything. 1000 hrs isn't a deal breaker but
if they're 1991 Hondas with 25 years in the saltwater... you get the idea.
Being "behind the times" is not a problem, if all is still functional, and it is not a safety issue. If the radar works, and you can stay between the shores and miss the rocks and find the other boats in the fog, OK. You don't have to be able to find a toothpick at 1000 yards. If the sounder gives you the depth under the boat, you can match that to depth on the chart as use it to know where you are over the bottom, confirming the GPS positioning. Yes, there are technology advances, but those are additions to, not requirements for, unless, again, it is a safety issue.
"25 years in salt water," again
depends on the care. A salt water engine that is properly flushed, rinsed and protected is not a problem, but even a fresh water engine that has not been maintained would be questionable for reliable service.
If I were looking at a boat of that age, I would most likely hire a marine survey (with someone who is not un-acquainted with C-Dory and proficient with outboard powered vessels), and also have a competent marine mechanic do an evaluation on the outboards. The few hundred that will cost will be an investment in your future sanity and safety.
Know that well taken care of C-Dorys hold their value very well, and if that boat was owned by a C-BRAT, there is good probability you can find history here on this site.
Enjoy the search, and bringing home the prize.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
