I am in the Toronto area and have started shopping for a 1988 to 1991 Santiago 34 or 38. This would be my first boat.

I like the floating living room layout of this model and the flybridge and was wondering if any current owners of this model or anyone who recently shopped for one what lessons did you learn - what should I look for??

Not concerned about interior - I know alot have already been upgraded and new cusions, curtains etc is not a major thing - as a new boater I am more concerned about the expensive repair stuff that I do not have enough experience or knowledge to notice.

Should I be concerend about internal ribs or framing?? Is anything done in wood that can rot over time??

I see alot of this model in the Florida area at very good prices - cheap enough to afford shipping - never really looked into that, so mabey that is just a bad idea and avoid it - but are there any concerns about a salt water boat that would be used in fresh water like the Trent system??

I am seeing prices rannging the mid 30's to low 40's with a few that spike to 60's or as cheap as under 20. Is a 1989 38' santiago at 59K overpriced compared to a 34 at 35k???.

Any advice is much welcomed as I begin this process - thank you.