Give me a reality check: Avon Delux 4.7 for spearfishing

[DeepDive]

Hi all - looking at buying my first boat for spearfishing out of. I've been looking at RIBs as they seem pretty utilitarian, safe and economical. What I'm after is a fairly low fuss boat that i can take out diving, mostly inshore but up to say 10km offshore.



An Avon Delux 4.7 has come up locally with an Etec 75 outboard. I'm considering buying it with the intention to convert it to a jockey console.



The boat is grey with the grey front deck, which makes me think it's probably an early 80s model (based on what i've read here). Is that right? It looks like it's in decent condition but at around 40 years old, what are the chances the tubes and transom are still servicable?



Looking for some advice from people who have experience with these boats - is a boat like this likely to have some life left in it? Or am i dreaming?



I'm happy to put some work into it and i have a bit of fibreglassing experience but re-tubeing and transom replacement are probably beyond me.



Thanks!

[paintman]

Have a read through the posts by jonp, also in Australia & does a lot of what you are considering.
You'll find some brilliant photos in his threads too!