Looking at a 1996 boat located in Sarasota. I'm in Houston. What is my best approach here? Survey? Inspection? Being a 96 and it has some areas in the glass that may need work, I want to know where to start without wasting my time or the sellers. Any advice or recommendations is much appreciated. Thanks!

The only real choice is to pay for a survey. I'm currently looking at boats in other states too. But, ask for some detailed pics, then decide if you like it enough to spend the $$ on a survey. Done. Then, ship it!
Of course, the alternative to a survey is to buy a plane ticket and inspect it yourself. Seems like the costs will be about the same either way. I just can't keep taking time off to go look at boats, so a survey is going
to be my remedy if I buy a boat out of reasonable one day driving range.

IMO, survey is only as good and the guy doing it. Personally, if I was real serious about it, I would jump on a Southwest flight to Tampa, rent a car and go look at it myself. Not that expensive and you can lay your own eyes on it. I have made several boat looking trips in the past and it's always been better for me to see it in person. It's cheap enough that if you don't like the boat, it won't break you and you won't make a bad decision. If you like it, assess what you think it needs, glass work, interior, trailer, etc., and then pay a mechanic or have it taken to a respected marine shop (on your dime) to inspect boat and motor(s) and do a compression and/or leakdown test. You can then get some recommendations for a GOOD surveyor while you are there if you choose.

Steve berlin ,great surveyor in that area !

Insist on lots of CURRENT photos first. Ask for specific pics of any potential problem areas. if you can't get them, move on to something else.

With good photos, if you like it, jump on a plane but if you're not confident you have the knowledge to pick any faults yourself, stay home and pay a surveyor with the travel money instead. You've got a good recommendation above from a trusted member. (Sy Goldberg)

It is possible to buy a boat unseen if you have good photos and a reputable surveyor who checks the boat and backs up the photos as current. I've done it before and been very happy.

Good luck shopping.

RR

This is the guy you want if your looking a performance boat in Fla; hands down!
Performance Marine Surveyors, Inc. - HOME - Boca Raton, FL

+1

I agree on using Ed Cozzi and he has done many surveys for TOTAL DOLLAR,but he is a distance away and that is why I mentioned Steve Berlin because his is local and well qualified also.

Ed Cozzi is the man hands down! excellent work ethic and very thorough.