34
Cruising Helmsman July 2018
The tails on these are often too short to
take the two hose clamps recommended
for below waterline fittings.
Are the through-hulls and seacocks
bronze or brass? Brass can be identified by its
smooth finish and bright golden hue. Bronze
is a dull gold colour, often left in its sand-cast
finish state because it is difficult to machine.
Look at the hose clamps. Are they strong,
or the cheap, slotted type that break readily.
As with other fittings on the boat, the
quality of hose clamps used can indicate
the general quality of the full fit-out.
Some hose clamps, marked as stainless,
have mild steel screws that will rust and
fail. Use your magnet to identify them.
Those massive-looking t-clamps can be
excellent, but are no guarantee of strength.
Apart from the vulnerability of the spot
welds, if not assembled with grease or Tef
Gel, the threads can gall, which can cause
the tensioning bolt to break. But, overall,
they are a much better choice than the
slotted type. If kept dry, corrosion of the
spot welds should not be an issue.
If you happen to be inspecting the boat
out of the water, make a note of all the skin
fitting locations, then go up and find them
inside. Make sure they are all accessible.
It is not unheard of for skin fittings to be
hidden under mouldings, machinery or
pipe work.BILGE PUMPS
If the bilge is clean, test that each pump
actually shifts water. The motor whirring
on an electric pump is no guaranteePRACTICAL
MAINTENANCE
FROM TOP: Someone
cared enough to fit
hatch covers – it is
likely this boat is far
better maintained than
the pigeon crate boat.
PVC covered lifelines
can be assessed without
even going aboard. If
you see rust like this on
exposed wire, factor the
cost of replacement into
your offer.
This pulpit leg on an
imported production
boat was just sitting on
its base until I waggled
the top rail. Not an
expensive welding job,
but you wonder what
else they are hiding.
This teak deck is way
past its service life and
will be very expensive to
remove. A deal breaker
which also indicates the
general level of care the
boat has suffered.
Teak has worn down to
the screw head, which
has pulled out of the
deck altogether. The
leak damage below will
be wide spread because
there are many such
fastenings in this deck.