[macojoe]

Well come sloppyhooker!!

I also had the 165 I/O and unlike Brian I hated it with every bone in my body!!
Manafold rotted out and it was near $400 for a new one!! But it doesn't stop there! then you have the elbow and exchust hose that have to be replaced with it all at a cost close to $600 if you buy and do your self!!

This was my first I/O and LAST!! People like me think it was going to be easy to have a I/O because it is a car motor and well I can fix my car so how hard is it going to be fixed?
I/O always has something messing with them!! from the little wire that is rotted to the out drive breaking!! Non of which is fun to fix!! Wait till the engin coupler goes!! and you have to pull that motor out!!

As for the boat, It is a nice boat and I love mine 1975 cuddy. Just give it a good look over!! I guess the week point in the older boat is the transom. Outboard transoms are much easier to ck for damage as you can use the motor to ck, by lifting up and moving it around to see if there is any movement.
I/O are much harder!! But you can try to lift the leg tosee if it flexs at all. Also look for a sinking around were the outdrive goes in.

I had mine for 4 years and never stoped fixing things!!!
So I converted mine by installing a bracket and a 175 Yamaha now I go 40mph rather then 30!! I cruise at 35 instead of 20 something. It is a much better ride today then it ever was.

Not trying to scare you off!! They are not all nightmares!! But if it was me I would be buying the boat and thinking about converting it.

Its a great boat!!! You will have tons of fun and great times in it!! Nice rides for years to come!! Just need to think about the power plant is all!!

Of corase this is my opion!! and I am sure there will be pleanty of argument on this.

Good Luck and ask all the ???? you have to!