Steering question

Glen,
Any inboard with steer harder in one direction due to prop torque. Test the steering again when not under power. The effort should be the same in ether direction.

BTW, it's not left or right. In a boat it's starboard or port!!

That boat is really easy to replace the cable. You don't have to pull the gas tank like the boats where they laid it flat. I've done 3 steering cables in the last 12 months. The 2001 year was the hardest. The 1997 was tricky only because the heater hoses made it a pita. My 99 was pretty easy. You could also repack the rudder. With new cables I don't notice a difference between either direction. The cable isn't that expensive. I wouldn't make that a deal breaker.

Basic things to for
Compression - even and above 100 depending on elevation
Water in oil - tranny and engine
Trailer bunks and trailer condition. Brakes working, bunks reasonable.
Thermostat housing upper and lower in good shape?

That boat is really easy to work on if your mechanically inclined and willing to do some research.

You didn't mention the motor model. So consider that. The GT40 is a nice motor.

How many hours?

GT 40 with about 450 hrs. Has something going on with the engine cutting out when it reaches so many RPMs, I thought I read about some ignition issues with those years. He's taking to CC dealer to get it looked at.

Pretty low hours for a 16 year old boat. How long has it been since it was used regularly? Has it sat up for a while?
Steering cable replaced about 2 years ago.....maybe 5? Could be stiff from lack of use. May loosen up with more use. May need replacing. Not a deal breaker.
Definitely something going on with the motor going into limp mode. Should be a fixable problem.
Work through it with the owner if it is the boat for you.

The engine has 3 water related senders/switches

1. Water Temperature Switch - triggers when engine water temperature is too hot and shuts down the rpms.

2. Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor - tells the ECM(Engine Control Module) the temperature of the engine so it can adjust to temperature.

3. Temperature Sender - Tells the gauge what to display only. Does not talk to the computer at all. So the gauge can say one thing but the computer will can get a completely different signal from the ECT or Water Temp. Switch.

Oil Pressure has 2

Oil Pressure Switch - Shuts down the rpms at the ECM if the oil pressure is too low.

Oil Pressure Sender - Tells the gauge what to display but has nothing to do what with what the computer thinks the oil pressure is. Same as water you can see one thing on the gauge but the computer will get a different signal.

If you disconnect the SLOW switches one at a time you will determine the faulty switch.

Engine problem was an oil pressure sensor.