Boat Inspection

[whisper]

Going to have a look at a possible purchase next week.

I'd like to take an aide memoir with me that will help me to ask all the right questions and inspect all the important aspects of the boat.

Does anyone know if such a check list exists anywhere? If not, what are the most important things to look out for, in your opinion?

Boat is 4 yrs old and engine involved in this case is a KAD44.

Thanks.
John.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by whisper on 03/07/2004 17:57 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[tcm]

dunno about a checklist - it wd be miles long and depends on specific boat too, of course.

Generally, look for examples of love/tlc or otherwise. Boat cleaners concentrate on the walk fro dock to helm - if tyhat feels super-clean - the boat is "clean". Like houses, i think people like or dislike a boat in 60 seconds. And note you have given them loads of notice to bull the thing up...

wot boat then?

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[whisper]

A fast "fishing boat" lookalike with very well thought of sea-keeping abilities. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[powerskipper]

Check out its service history,

if in dought get an engine oil sample done,

inspect the engine room, look at belts, clips, for any sign of anything leaking,

check bilges for oil or coolant leaks, if very very clean best get a sea trail and check again.
check seal on windows, for signs of leaking,
check for cracking in gel coat, around corners external and internal.
check All underfloor hatches with a torch for any signs of cracking or leaks.
Open every cupboard, window, locker, hatch and inspect it all for above,
check rubbing strip for signs of dents, check under dented area for gel coat cracks.
turn the helm wheel lock to lock, should turn easily.
check throttles for ease of movement
if not winterised check water system , turn taps on , listen for pump, note pressure of water,


And ASK every question you can think of , of the dealer or person showing you the boat,
get a survey done.
and after that if you still like it and all is OK, grovel to SWMBO, with promises of romantic cruises and buy it!!!

sure there more , but that a good start.

Hope this helps /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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Julie

 

[powerskipper]

Oh and take a pen and paper as you will not remember all the replies otherwise/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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Julie

 

[whisper]

Thanks very much ma'am - sorry to drag you away from Scuttlebutt.

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[hlb]

AArrrrGGggg. It's a wonder MF is still floating......Well thats if it is.../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[whisper]

There you are !! Now you've got a free checklist for when you are down in Plymouth next. Mind you the time it will take you to tick all the boxes will mean your trip to the C.I's will have to be postponed by a couple of days.

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[hlb]

From the latest exploding toilet saga, well the toilet pipe anyway. When we sunk in Falmouth!!! Anyway MF was out of the water last week and aparently it was very hot. Now I did throw water and bleach down the bilge and pump it out. Apparently the toilet leak had petrified and stunk the whole marina out!!! Mechanic said he'd had to fix it..../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[markdj]

Ask to make sure that the boat is the owner's to sell, that there are no outstanding payments on any mortages, very important.

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[Benny1]

Targas

As it's one of those wrong type of Targa thingies, make sure you get very, very pissed beforehand so that you will have your beer goggles on and fall in love regardless of its undoubted ugliness.

I know you will go on about it's "practicalities" and handling etc, but it's like buying a Ferrari that looks like a van. You just wouldn't, would you?

In fact, that has me thinking...the Botnia Targa is probably the Porsche Cayenne of the boating world - very, very good at what it does, but by god it's ugly.

Still, "You pays your money...." or another cliche, "Beauty is in the eye..." etc. I mean, some people have an obese woman fetish.

Right, I am getting random, so I'll stop there.

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[petebrown]

John,

Only just getting into buying lark myself now but another issue to check as well as being VAT paid is the boat CE marked, i.e. type approved. If its an import direct from US, for example, and is not CE then it needs to have been retrospectively inspected to comlpy with Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). There is an article in Motor Boat and Yachting this month which is really worth a look just in case. If the boat does need assessing that will cost plus you need to address any shortfalls. The newer the boat the better the chance it is okay.

Anyway good luck.

Pete B

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[longjohnsilver]

Take a video camera and film everything, will remind you later of all the things you would otherwise have forgot. I've done this and it was very useful.

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