Be cautious of Tiawan built trawlers that live under a roof. Sure, the roof protects the boat from the elements, but it also may keep you from knowing about the leaks. Inspect the undersides of cabin tops, decks and walkways carefully for signs of rainwater leakage.
At the price range, look for single diesel engine boats. Twin engines are twice as expensive for maintenance, and 1 1/2 times as expensive for fuel. A single engine must get better maintenance as its the only engine.
When looking at boats, bring a small digital camera. It allows you to inspect places you cannot see into.
Crawl around the engine room a lot. See if you can access all systems for the maintenance that will be required.
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Larry H
Cruising the Pacific Northwest
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