Need advice on possile boat purchase please! 1993 Princecraft 169 Aluminum 19ft 70hp Mercu

I can't see the pictures, but in general that boat should be $2000 to $5000 depending on how nice the engine and trailer are.  Literally dozens of those for sale year round in the PGH/Erie/Youngstown area.  Often the seller will throw in various gear with the sale that may or may not have value for you.  For instance my 20' Sea Nymph was loaded up with water skiing gear.  Skiis, tubes, ropes, etc.  Worthless to me.  You may or may not need anchors, life vests, radios, etc.  All depends on your goals for the boat.  
 
Oh, registration isn't a big deal, but titles are!  No title for boat AND trailer in PA = run like the wind.  I'm serious about this, search for 2 minutes and you'll find lots of horror stories.  Get titles or walk.  Too many of these around to mess with that.  

Welcome aboard, they call me BTDT, when they ain't mad at me. I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none. My opinions are just that but shipping, is always free.

I should like to agree with Sam, no title, no deal especially on the trailer. Not sure of the year when all power boats needed titled but before that, the owner need only sign the back of the registration card for the boat to be sold, in PA.

Getting a title for a registered trailer can be a PITA as well as expensive. Your best bet is to seek assistance from your PA state representative. (assuming you reside in PA) Just stop into their local office and ask their help. Also, be sure the trailer fits the boat and is rated for the weight. Used trailer's for a 19 ft boat can easily sell for a $1000.00 or more, depending on options. Keep the price for the trailer low, when transferring the title.

Same holds true when it comes to the price on the boat. Keep the value low as possible. In PA. you title the boat, not the motor. No need for anybody to know what you value the motor at.

As for the boat, be sure to check the transom, if there is wood within and it's rotted, you got big problems. Check all welds especially around the transom. Cracked welds and loose rivets are a easy fix but can make for a PITA finding them after the rebuild. Doesn't hurt once the interior is ripped out, flood the boat to above the draft line and look for external leaking.

Motor should be checked by a qualified mechanic who can do compression evaluation, as well as condition of components such as the coils. If the water pump hasn't been rebuilt within the last few hundred hours of running or the motor has set for more then a year have the pump rebuilt. Could save you thousands in the long run. Check the the lower end gear lube, making certain there is lube and it hasn't been contaminated with water. Inspect the prop assuring it hasn't been used for shredding rocks. Same holds true for the skeg being beat to hell and throw caution to any repainting in those areas.

Work the remote gear shift, throttle and steering to assure smooth easy operation. Frozen cables can get costly to replace.

Cost wise, without seeing the rig first hand, I'd offer a lowball figure, you can always offer more.

I looked at used 10 year old boats (+/-)sporting 20hp, in the 16 to 17 foot range needing no to little repair, in the $5000.00 range.

I am not knowing if any of my opinion is helpful but one good thing, shipping is always free.

Good luck, have fun and keep us informed.

GOOD GRIEF!!!!!  Sam you didn't do any bidniz with that dude.......... did you?  LMAO.    But yeah, the ole boy is A-ok 'cept at times he can sound like a sailors parrot gone awry.  Can make a 35 run like a 20 too!  zoom zoom.
 
No better time then the present, to shop for a boat or new trailer.  Which has me thinking, with this lovely weather, perhaps I should heed my own advice...... a shopping I shall go.

If the boat was never titled, you are golden.  Pay PA their blood money and they'll make you a title.  You don't need one in PA by the way, not for the boat.  You can just register it, pay the blood money, and you're GTG.  Can't remember why they say you should get one.  Some BS about recovering it if it gets stolen.  
 
If the TRAILER doesn't have a title with it you are hosed.  Don't do it.  Trailer title with it is easy peasy, just a couple signatures and you walk away with a plate.  No title no good times.  Trailers are a nightmare here.  Don't think for a second any DMV is going to help you with that.  No way.  

bulldog1Titles and PA are not a good mix, was told by my state rep to take pictures of the trailer and block out the manufacturers name then get some receipts and title it as home made... Solid advice from an elected official...

 
They expect you to have a parts list, receipts for the materials (so they can tax you, the &^#@*&@#^ crooks), plans you built from... complete BS.  If you have a sketchy notary you might be fine.  A stickler and you are no way getting by with a half-baked "I built it" claim.  The whole process makes me insane.