Cruising Helmsman - July 2018

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Cruising Helmsman July 2018

for the dodger screen, curtains, deck

wash system and even a transom

shower. All these add value if they are

appropriate and in good condition.

DOCUMENTATION GENERALLY

If the seller is claiming new items, or

service expenses, ask to see invoices.

I have found that time is elastic for

some boat owners who may claim

something is new when it is in fact

several years old.

Less common are owners who

deliberately deceive, showing copies of

quotes for work that was not actually

performed. Look at the invoices, check

the dates and that they relate to the boat

you are on.

Is there a maintenance log? Evidence

of regular maintenance is gold, showing

not only that the boat has been looked

after, but that the owner cared enough

to document what was done.

OSMOSIS

Your pre-survey assessment is unlikely

to include a look at the bottom, unless

the boat is already hauled out. However,

on older boats the likelihood of osmosis

is quite high.

On these boats, it is more a question of

whether the blisters have been repaired

satisfactorily or just filled. A proper job

involves removing all affected material

and then drying the hull, which is an

expensive exercise.

Just opening, draining and drying

blisters before filling with epoxy is

temporary at best. Being a much

cheaper option this is a popular choice,

but a boat treated in this way is an

ongoing project.

For an idea of what is involved in a

proper repair, have a read of Wendy

Sears’ article Tackling Osmosis (CH

March 2016). I will not go into detail

about osmotic blistering here, as there

is way too much information to cover.

I suggest that whether or not you are

concerned about osmosis, you should

buy Paul Stevens’ ‘Surveying yachts and

small craft’. It is worth the price just

for the information on osmosis, but is

recommended for all amateur surveyors

of recreational craft.

YOUR SUMMARY

By the end of your inspection you will

know if this boat is worth pursuing.

If you still want it despite the defects

you have found, you will need to estimate

the cost of putting it right. Even if you

cannot find much wrong and think

the boat is a goer, remember that a

professional surveyor may discover

much that you have missed.

In both cases, you probably have not

had the opportunity to inspect the boat

out of the water. The condition of the hull

and appendages will need to be assessed

before proceeding.

In addition, consider separate inspections

by a diesel mechanic, a marine electrician

and a yacht rigger. Most marine surveys do

not include the engine, electrics or rig.

These extra inspections may be costly,

but may also save you money, either in the

prepurchase negotiations or afterwards.

A good insurer will be impressed that

you have taken the trouble to do a full

assessment of the boat’s condition.

Having performed your own inspection,

you are either much more familiar with

what may become your next boat, or have

saved yourself the cost of a professional

survey for a boat you do not want.

If you plan to go ahead, please remember

that a professional survey will still be

required. The surveyor is likely to find far

more defects than you could, which will

add to your negotiating power.

Most insurers require a survey before

issuing a policy, so even if you feel a

survey is unnecessary, it is better to pay

for one before the purchase, rather than

afterwards. A professional survey is

usually worth more than its cost, even

if just for peace of mind. ≈

Petrea McCarthy is a freelance writer

and former yacht rigger. In over forty

years, she has surveyed dozens of rigs, and done

many pre-survey inspections on boats ranging

from three to thirty metres long. Her professional

knowledge is reinforced by a lifetime of cruising and

racing, both coastal and offshore. She has also built

boats from scratch and fitted out several fibreglass

cruising boats. All this experience is backed by an

inquiring mind and a desire to keep learning.

PETREA MCCARTHY

PRACTICAL

MAINTENANCE

LEFT TO RIGHT: Give

rusty hose clamps a

sharp tap, but don’t be

surprised or apologetic

if they break.

A blatant attempt to hide

the odours should be

taken as an alarm signal.

This was on the saloon

table of a boat with rot

and mould problems.