Chuck -
Apparently you mis-interpreted what I said, "but the niceities tend to go by the wayside."
Mechanically they are some of the best planes around - Yes long hours over the water.... They all corrosion treat the living daylights out of their planes. But when they sell the engines are usually RUN OUT! Why?-?- Because if they had anything left they would be generating cash with it. I had one buddy with a 172 that had 17,000 air frame hours on it and I'd fly it without hesitation. He upgraded to a 172RG. Couldn't get squat for the old 172 because of the airframe hours, I almost bought it but with or without a low time engine it would never have much value due to the high airframe time.
Most of the beginner fish spotters fly 150's to start and then graduate to larger planes with RG because of a possible water ditching, and larger passenger area because of long days in the air. I was advised by my AP to be very leery of these 150's because they are usually bought with the intention of flying and making enough money to upgrade. Spotters get paid by the hobbs hours and usually don't spend money on things like Rosen Visors, door seals, plastic trim, high dollar paint, or pretty interior carpet because this eats up income quickly. They will buy long range tanks, keep the motor in top shape, and usually one good radio.
As for wear and tear - interiors of these planes are usually fine - the pilot seat being worn and incidentals. They fly alot between landings - you can pretty much figure one TO and landing every 7 or so hours, therefore the usual things we think of being worn aren't. The pros do baby the planes they fly - they have to - repairs bite them twice as hard, once when they pay the bill and once because when it's down for repair the plane isn't turning the hobbs meter and therefore no income generated....
This is just my $.02... Take it for exactly that, but I can tell you from experience that if the yokes look like that it's salt air that did it - mine are comming off and getting refurbished after X-mas, paint is comming off in 1x1 inch pieces.... Never thought to ACF50 the yokes... Oh well - they will look better with leather wraps and installed PTT switches anyway.
Dave
