Not sure that any 1973 boat is perfect, but they ran as expected when I was on the boat last fall. The engines were not red flags.
I also have considered replacing older, but working engines. Especially when I can't find a new boat, I think about tweaking the old.
Only chatting here as the auction has been closed, and the boat can't be bought or sold before the 22nd, on account of the Bartus Marine Birthday Boozapalooza rule of 2009.
headed back down to miami for one last use..... looks like a friend of mine who i introduced to offshore and took to the islamorada run wants to buy it!!!!