After reading about Jmackin's new cig .....and a comment about checking used boats ....

"1- always go for sea trial
2- pull atleast one valve cover to inspect "

anyother suggestions ? I am looking at 1986-1990 Formula's 27-31 and was planning to have compression checked ..... I am in florida and most I have found are in the north ....and to buy now with a sea trail prob is not practical. I guess strike a deal pending sea trial even if it is 4-6 weks away ? Also ....how about Surveys ? They worth the $$ ?

Get a survey. Pulled one for my Sonic before I bought it, found a stricural issue that cost $7,000 to fix. Got the seller to take it off the price. Best $400.00 I ever spent.

Do a leak down test too not just a comp. test. A good survey they will send oil samples out to be tested. Most owners don't do their own service so they should have the records, ask to see them. And see if they put the hours on the motors when they did it. I wouldn't buy a used boat with more than 500 hours on it unless I was ready to repower or rebuild it, unless it was cheap.

Pull a thermostat housing. Learned that from reading Quiet Storms posts on his 2 year old salt motors.

great suggestions ....the 29 I am looking at has 900hrs ...the boat is spotless ..... 454's ..anyone heard of getting 12-1400 hours ? I could live with 4-500 hours then a replacement ......

I have seen it but I would get Boat US unlimited towing a good vhf and don't plan on taking any long trips.

At the very least change all the valve spings. : the drives are ready to pop at that many hours to. and unless it's had a lot of work it might need re rigging too.

Offthefront,
One major disadvantage of a 272 is with big blocks the engine compartment is REALLY tight. And anything other than changing an oil filter is a PIA.
Trust me here , I have 4 years of first hand experience