If anyone is still following this post, I thought I would post an update. The B.O.A.T (Break Out Another Ten thousand) is still under repair in Long Beach Island in NJ. Here is a basic breakdown. Port xmsn: done , Need a new one, $10k, Port rudder and shaft, bent and straightend, $500, Port eng. removed and repainted, who cares about the cost, New oil cooler port side $235, Starboard engine: low compression on one of cylinders, $1500,new exhaust risers port side, forgot the cost, labor for all this, $7k, slip for the year $3700. If you're keeping track at home, my $30k "good deal" of a boat has now cost over $50k. The upside, no additional labor for removing and replacing things on the port side. With any luck the coming nor'easter will wash it out to sea, it will get run over by a container ship and King Neptune will exact revenge for me.
All joking aside, the one take away here is, get the best boat you can afford. If I would've just opted for the better boat I might not have as many headaches as I do now.
Oh, by the way, anyone interested in buying a 19995 Carver 330 mariner for around $40k. Port side transmission and exhaust recently replaced!