Boat Inspection Trip Tips

[thesnort]

A most excellent post! A list of 'problems' categorized as 'dealbreakers', 'major concerns', 'minor concerns' would make this complete.
Who's up for it?

[sailingdog]

I don't know if that is possible, since what one person may consider a dealbreaker might be just a good reason to knock down the price for another person.

Originally Posted by thesnort

A most excellent post! A list of 'problems' categorized as 'dealbreakers', 'major concerns', 'minor concerns' would make this complete.
Who's up for it?

[N0NJY]

Very good set of instructions there.

Wife and I went through this recently - and some of these things didn't apply exactly but the majority did. I actually did some reading on this very subject before even looking at boats.

Worked out good and I think this post has ALL the high points plus some.

(Note: I've used a moisture meter to check wood for other things... didn't think about it on a boat! Seems pretty logical now.)

[TxLnghrn]

For me with my limited time, limited funds and limited boat knowledge....
Dealbreakers:
Any delamination (for that matter it would be a dealbreaker for me with unlimited time.....just not worth it).
Problems with spars.
Non-functioning engine.

Major concerns:
standing rigging issues,
engine issues (assuming usable but needing more than routine maintanence).
osmotic blisters ( I understand this is a form of delamination, but minor issues that I feel could be solved on next haulout wouldn't be a dealbreaker)
Unusable sails
Unsafe electrical systems

Minor concerns:
What makes me think I can afford this or any boat
Okay pretty much everything else, running rigging, cosmetic blisters, canvas condition...etc...

BTW Dawg, Thanks for starting this post, great info,
Michael

[therapy23]

Sailingdog,

On that moisture meter.........are there directions for use on fiberglass?

Do you just touch the fiberglass or do you have to make a hole to reach underneath to the material (core) you are actually measuring?

I know nothing of using a moisture meter obviously but would follow your advice when I am able to begin looking seriously.

Thanks.

edit

Never mind.......I went to the site and read a little.
Will ask for a short course when I buy one.

[sailingdog]

Therapy-

The whole reason for using a moisture meter is so you don't have to drill holes in the deck... It is a NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING TOOL. So, no holes.

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Therapy-

The whole reason for using a moisture meter is so you don't have to drill holes in the deck... It is a NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING TOOL. So, no holes.

Thanks.

I think you posted while I was reading and then edited.

[davidpm]

What things do you check during a sea trial?

Off the top of my head:
Winches work smoothly
Engine does not overheat after running hard.
Gages all work?

What else to you have?

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by davidpm

What things do you check during a sea trial?

Off the top of my head:
Winches work smoothly
Engine does not overheat after running hard.
Gages all work?

What else to you have?

I would want to use the head(s).

[captbillc]

i have mentioned this in other threads. as a retired diesel mechanic, one of the first things i do is take off the oil filler cap. if it has water dripping from it the engine has water in the crankcase. this is because water evaporates and then condenses in the valve covers. it will show up here even if there is not enough to look milky on the dipstick. other things to look for have been posted on other threads at sailnet. i don't remember which ones , but perhaps cam can help out on this.