Guys, First of all thanks for the excellent and valuable feedback. Basically all the answers (i got some 10 emails) focus around 2 issues: 1) Usability in the med (because of the heat generated by the engine) 2) Steel hull being a rust bucket by now (34 years old) and general equipment questions (there is not much on board). The good news: I got almost no negative feedback based on the suitability of the boat for extended cruising, everyone has something to say like "railing missing aft", "small external space", "air-cooled loud (but reliable!)" which I don't regard (at this moment) as an absolute no-go. You can weld a railing in, you can sound-proof a engine room. Someone put a link to a barge site in Holland http://www.billandnancy.com/_FOR_SALE/_for_sale.html (the Joanna) which is of course a much more "confortable" and nicer boat, also some 60.000 US$ more expensive then the one I'm looking at. That's a lot of budget for electronics, spare part, ventilation, sound proofing etc or simply said I would need to spend more time at work and not on the boat. I have another 11 months to purchase and refit/improve the boat before setting off to the Med, I'm lucky to live on the Rhein River in Switzerland so I can bring the boat upriver in the local marina, eventually live aboard (and still keep the job) and do the minor and easy jobs (I leave the major ones to the professionals). BTW Winters in Switzerland are cold... To the point 1: I have some experience of cruising in Greece (crusing ships) and Ibiza (Balearic Islands, close to Africa, in the Maxum 2100SC). With the Maxum you are boiling on the deck and you need a shirt in the cuddy cabin (with hatch open). On the crusing ship, sleeping on the bridge at night was only possible in the sleeping bag - the meltemi wind would freeze you solid otherwyse. In Europe is breezing almost everyday. When I go to Florida in May/June - now that's really hot ! I cannot think of driving without air conditioning in Florida. It is a different thing in Europe, it is hot but you can stand it. You do have "hot spots" like North Adriatic where in summer shallow water, no winds and no clouds creates a steamy environment. I will address this issue with the owner and pay attention to the heat coming out from the engine room. To the point 2: Steelbuilding is very common in Europe so I will include a complete engine / transmisson check and an ultrasound check to spot thin plates, including this 2 items as a condition for completing the deal. A survey would be nice if I find a competent person. What I understood from the owner, the boat was built by a shipbuilder for its own private use based on his experience building larger ships. The walk-in engine room, limited mooring cleats, no bulleyes on the hull, air cooled engine - looks like a boat built with focus on mainteinance and economy more than comfort. Ever tried to change the oil filter on the mercruiser mounted on the Maxum 2100SC (or any Bayliner) ? To the equipment issue: Compass is there, Radar not really needed (I don't cruise in winter) but would be a 1500 US$ job in Europe, maybe another GPS (I have a portable one), depth sounder is installed so it should be easy to upgrade it. Do I need anything more beside a beer fridge ? I have read "The troller Yacht" by Buehler and most of his requirements are meet by this boat. He tells about the time of his life, when he cruised around with a small sailing boat (no engine!) and had to sit in the rain to steer the boat during the night. Now this is being unconfortable for me but probably would still do it if my budget would be 10.000 US$. I do agree that it is not a perfect boat and like any boat is a compromise and at this stage I'm not even sure if I want to buy it. *But* I will never be willing to fork over 650.000 US$ for a Nordhavn 40 or the like even if I had the money so I need to accept a LOT of compromises if I want to make it with a 50.000 US$ budget. Suffering a bit of heat ? Ok for me. Next week I will see the boat, motor around with the owner, talk to him and make zillions of digital pics (would be nice to make some sound recording while underway to estimate loudness relative to other boats). I will then post all the stuff on the net and come back to you guys. All the best Matteo ______________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Foto - Crea e condividi i tuoi album fotografici online http://it.yahoo.com/mail_it/foot/?http://it.photos.yahoo.com/