Re: Need some opinions and wisdom on possible boat purchase. Worth it?
Welcome to iboats...
Here's the good news: Metal boats are a good candidate for a fairly economical restore. Your hull looks to be in pretty good shape from the pics. Also, it appears that most (if not all) of the essential and hard to replace parts are there (e.g. the windshield, the little strake on the side, rubrail/insert, etc..)...
Trailers are pretty easy to rehab as long as there are no major rust spots or corrosion on key areas... Paint, light kit, bearings, tires, maybe some new carpeted bunks and you are off and running. Also, Shorelander makes a pretty good trailer... You might want to jump over to the Suzuki forum and ask around about the motor (reliability, ease of maintenance, availability of replacement parts, etc...). However, try and have the year, make and model number as people on the motor forums sometimes get grumpy trying to answer questions without this info... Most outboards can be salvaged (and are worth salvaging) if the motor turns over and has good compression...
The big question for you is going to be that power situation. The motor is by far the most expensive (and important) part of the boat... Without a motor, of course, all you have is a very large and unwieldy canoe.
Since you asked about "other items" - you have to consider some of the other tidbits - new electrical wiring, gauges, new batts, potentially steering if that's jammed up, new nav and anchor lights (if you plan to go out at night) and new seats if the existing ones are shot...
Most people would probably quote you about 1-2K on getting her water ready (if the motor works), but I think I spent at least that much in random trips to Lowe's for miscellaneous materials and supplies.
All that said, not sure where you live, but $600.00 seems like a reasonable price for the boat and trailer and great price if the motor is a runner.
lol .... looks to be a good hull to start out with....