Picking up a 1988 170 with a 90hp Mercury

[2tone]

Hello to everyone. I have been lurking for a while reading some of the rebuilds. It's nice to see you guys helping each other with info and ideas. It is making my decision on buying an AS allot easier. I'm in the middle of buying an 1988 170 it looks good even up close. Is there anything that I should be on the look out for? The boat looks like it was used on a lake. The deck seem's  to be in good shape but the transom has a few holes that look like they were for a transducer at one time  and they never filled them after the removed it. I'm going for a bay test this weekend and I'll post some pics as soon as I get it. How fast should it be with the 90hp merc? Thank you in advance for any help.

[LilRichard]

I doubt you can do this pre-purchase, but a small core sample of the wood surrounding the old transducer holes will give you a very accurate read on the condition of the transom.  

Take two samples a few inches apart from the 'ducer... if it is black or very wet, there may be an issue.  Was it stored in the water, or out?

[2tone]

From what I can tell it looks to me that this boat has spent most of its life on the trailer. I'am gonna tap the transom to see if I can hear a diffrence around the area with the holes.  
How is your boat coming along? I have read the all 21 pages it looks great.
I have seen a livewell/leaning post/rocket launcher all in one do you know by chance who makes it?
Do you still have that CC that you narrowed still and is it for sale and what are the dimensions/$?