"i'd like to thank all of
"i'd like to thank all of you for the great advice. i purchased a compression tester from a local auto supply store. it was $40.00 and even had a marine adapter. i met with the owner sunday morning to see the boat. he had it stuck in the corner of his garage along the wall with a bunch of stuff around it. i looked at the vessel from the front and the inside. i was so hot on this boat(prior to my arrival), from the pictures, that I brought my checkbook; however, the condition of the boat was good for its age, but overpriced. the boat was still winterized so i felt that a compression check might not be valid. had the price been closer to a possible offer, on my part, i might have gone ahead with a compression check. no need for the check at this point, but i will copy this information and keep it with my tester as my quest for a good used boat continues; thanks to all!"