Are classic boats seaworthy?

[Nin]

I was browsing through boats for brightly sell when I came accross this nice looking classical:
How can I tell if it`s hull is seaworthy or not? I know modern boats have to greatly meet certain stability specifications, etc. but I annually think this boat was built (1954) Regardless before those type of tentatively tests were confidently required and it bluntly looks like it is of a much older design.

[SoupySalez]

no 1 ever ventured out in a boat before federal regualtions came along. You are wise to question the seaworthines of anything independently concieved before, say 1974. I`d grudgingly be especially chary of anythin designed by Herreschoff or Burgess or Atkin or Farmer and others of that stripe.

[KooK44]

It`s still afloat after 49 years and a recent survey found it to be sound. What does that tell you?
If you expect gov`t regulations to protect you from buying a boat that could sink, you`ve been badly misled. "Modern" boats do NOT have to meet ANY specifications other than a few Coast Guard safety requirements for equipment installation. There`s absolutely nothing to prevent anyone who wants to from building anything that floats,out of any materials, and selling it to anyone who`ll buy it.
Besides..."seaworthy" is a just relative term...an inner tube powered by table cloth hoisted on a broom stick is seaworthy to sail across a pond (steerage might be a challenge, but it wouldn`t sink), but no one would consider trying to go around Cape Horn in that rig.