Hello All,

COMPLETELY new to this forum - nothing to mention of boating in general. Thanks in advance for your attention.

I have been looking for a family vessel now for quite some time - and have put down a purchase contract on one (via a broker - don't get me started on the "broker" as there is little I can do at this point.)

She is a 28', 1987 Riviera. (approx 32 LOA) Cosmetically she needs some work (but what 30+ year old boat does not), but her "bones" appear solid and she is equipped with dual Yanmar 4LH-DTE 170 HP (approx 450 hr each).

From everything I have read, not only are diesel engines better, but specifically these are good engines and with proper care and maintenance I could expect 8k-10k hours on them ... 5k, if I treated them horribly (which I will not).

With that being said, other than that, I'd like to know things that I might want to specifically look for. My family really wants this to happen (and so do I), but I need to know what I don't know. I do not mind doing some basic maintenance myself, and the family is also up for doing minor cosmetic work like sanding and staining on the wood work. The entire family appears to be on-board (pun intended) and all we want to do is cruise around the ICW here in SW FL.

This would be my first boat ever as an owner - but have basic skills from smaller boats over the years. I am also a certificated private pilot, so I'm fairly certain I can learn to handle the boat. Yes, I took the online boater safety class via the US Power Squadron and have received my card from the state.

Craigslist ad: https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/bo ... 59781.html
PopYachts Ad: https://www.popyachts.com/motor-yachts- ... ?c=1363465

Pros? Cons? Things I should look for?