Buying a used boat is a great option to enjoy nautical sports, at a much more affordable price than if we buy a new one. However, to avoid possible dislikes, you have to be very careful when choosing.
Once you have had your eye on a boat and are convinced of the purchase, the ideal is to agree with the seller or the broker a visual inspection afloat and, if you are still interested, another in the dry.
1. Start the inspection afloat by the structure.
Focus on looking for signs of unusual stresses and stresses; cracks in the paint, cracks and separations. Look for signs of lack of tightness in stoves , steps of sticks, hardware, ... If it is a sailboat, observe carefully the cover in search of anomalous deformations near the chains , which are usually common with rigging subjected to an excess of tension.
2. Check the electrical wiring.
Check that there are no bare wires, overheating zones, or any defects that may cause short circuits or power failures.
3. The bilges say a lot about their maintenance.
Look for water presence and if it is clean or dirty. There may be some moisture, but there should be no water level. If there is one, it will be necessary to look for its origin. It is very important to check the operation of the bilge pump and to paste a review of each and every one of the bottom taps, that open and close correctly and that do not show signs of excessive corrosion or the presence of water.
In some cases we can find bilges in very poor condition.In some cases we can find bilges in very poor condition.
4. Test all navigation equipment.
Check GPS, depth sounder, plotter, radar, stove, lights, windlass, windshield wiper ?? Everybody! Check that they are operational and in good condition. Even if the boat is second hand and has its years, you should have all the necessary instruction manuals on board. Take advantage and request that the shipowner show you the latest ITB , the navigability certificate and the validity.
5. Motor information.
Ask them to show you the maintenance book, the revision invoices and the repairs that have been made. Check the engine hours, check levels, filters, belts, ... Look what the oil looks like, ask when the batteries were last changed and check that they work well .
Check the condition of the motors and all their components.Check the condition of the motors and all their components.
6. It is important to try and feel the boat sailing.
Take the opportunity to test navigation equipment. As for the engine, watch how it starts, the smoke from the leaks and the vibrations. It is interesting to put the engine at full speed (WOT), and check if it reaches the revolutions specified by the manufacturer ; what speed it reaches and how it behaves. Check that the temperature and pressure do not rise too much in the indicators. It is also good to test the engine in reverse gear.
7.Safety equipment on board.
Check that the safety equipment agrees with the CE marking and with the navigation area; lifebuoys, raft, pyrotechnics, fire extinguishers, ...
8. Look for signs of osmosis.
In fiber boats more than five years it is usual to find osmosis. It can manifest in the form of superficial blisters that ooze a vinegary liquid, but there are degrees of osmosis that are hidden by the naked eye. If you really want to buy the boat, at the slightest indication, consult an expert.
You have to be especially careful with the bottom taps. If they break, they do not warn.You have to be especially careful with the bottom taps. If they break, they do not warn.
9. Check the status of the patent.
Look for signs of stranding, scrapes, breaks, ... If it is a sailboat, look carefully at the centerboard, its structure and its union with the hull. Observe the rudder, move it, check that it has no slack and that it is aligned with the keel. Also observe carefully the axis of the propeller and move it; must have freedom and be centered in the stuff box. Check the degree of corrosion of all metallic elements of the hull, including propellers and the outside of the hull as well as the state of the sacrificial anodes.
Check rudders, propellers, metallic elements and anodes.Check rudders, propellers, metallic elements and anodes.
10. Use an independent professional.
To finish and, if you have found a boat that interests you, but is far from your place of residence, you can always go to an independent professional or marine surveyor (marine surveyor) who will do an inspection for you and prepare a report with recommendations and assessments , avoiding unnecessary displacements and losses of time and money.
Comments
Post a Comment