Excited and happy ( but a little bit scared)

Malabarista

Malabarista

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Hello All
I have been lurking for a while and have been mightily impressed with your community.
My better half and I have just (almost) bought our first yacht. Survey is on Friday and Seatrial the same day.
She is a Moody 44' Ketch and quite an old girl. I would really appreciate some tips on what questions to ask the current owner during the seatrial. Having only 2-3 hours to get a lot of information i want to make sure i don't miss out the important stuff.
So, a list of top ten questions would help settle my nerves.
Many Thanks
 
Start from the top up: rigging, sails, leaks, electrics and electronics, engine, keel(s).
If there are any major faults, don't be afraid to bale. It can get VERY expensive!
 
Thanks for the advice. We are hoping that the survey will pick up the expensive stuff and we may have to sell our children. Is that permitted on the forum?
 
Hi, have you seen thd boat before? This is not a rude question epesially for you first boat.

Thinks like cabin height and access to the galley become very important uf you have any phisical restrictions. We fell in love with several boat but when we dry-run them we realised they would be hard for us in real life.

I get issues with my back locking up if stooping to long, wife has had both knees replaced.

While she can now corner harde than Leeis Hamilton she can no longer kneel, a big concideration for exiting or entering the boat and any cabins.

If you intend to overnight, access to sleeping bunks has also to be looked at.

Don't let love at first site cloud your judgement (just look what happened when you met her indoors ? ).

Alan
 
Champagne Murphy said:
Start from the top up: rigging, sails, leaks, electrics and electronics, engine, keel(s).
If there are any major faults, don't be afraid to bale. It can get VERY expensive!
Click to expand...

44' that's a good sized first yacht.. ! :D

Murphy has hit the biggies... in addition I would be interested (if it was me) in how much fuel is on board, and how long it's been there... check running rigging as well... additional power sources - outboard? age?
 
Sandyman said:
Before posting any advise can I ask how much sailing experience you have ?
Click to expand...

Hi and thanks for your concern. We have both transatted ( if that's a word) and have over 20 years experience sailing OPB's. My wife has a lot of experience sailing around Africa and up to Nationals level in Darts.
A few years ago i got involved with a nutcase and we did a lot of offshore work in a Wayfarer, Ireland, IOM etc.
But it all feels very different when there is no one to shout at us!
 
[


Fantasie 19 said:
44' that's a good sized first yacht.. ! :D

Murphy has hit the biggies... in addition I would be interested (if it was me) in how much fuel is on board, and how long it's been there... check running rigging as well... additional power sources - outboard? age?
Click to expand...
I completely agree about the size issue. But luckily we have a centre cockpit so we don't really have to worry about what's behind us right? :-)
Thanks for the input. We just bought a new tender and outboard. The fuel questions. What a great idea and one i never would have thought of. Ta
 
Thanks. Yes we have spent a fair few hours aboard her both with and without the broker. She needs a lot of cleaning and we intend to fit her out over the next 3-4 years and then fulfil our dream of sailing 'til we just can't sail no more.
 
The purpose of the sea trial is to ensure that the boat is as described and everything that is claimed to work, actually works. You should take your surveyor with you as he will know the routine.

If the owner is on board you can also use the opportunity to pick his brains on operational aspects of the boat, but you have to be realistic about how much you can cover in 2-3 hours and one set of weather and sea conditions. I had nearly a whole day handover on my new boat and still covered only the basics and am still learning about new bits a year later. With an older and more complex boat there is a lot to learn, particularly as previous owners will have made changes, added equipment etc over the years. So concentrate on the main things such as the rig, sail controls, engine operation, anchoring, navigational kit, autopilot, electrical system and main domestic items (cooker, fridge, loos etc). Know where all the important switches, valves, seacocks etc are located and any peculiarities of their operation. Might be useful to make notes as doubt there will be a handbook as you will almost certainly suffer information overload by the end of the day!
 
Top of the list is going to be the engine, being the most expensive to replace. If possible, I would hope to see the service records as well as inspecting it and checking the exhaust when starting and running. A friend bought a boat from abroad a few years ago and in spite of his visit and a survey, almost nothing really worked properly and he has had to spend money on silly things. I think you are right to get yourself well-prepared before the trial but I hope it is an enjoyable day.
 
These are all good pointers. Many thanks. We will take copious notes and have a boat plan laminated ready to receive locations of switches, seacocks etc
 
Tranona said:
The purpose of the sea trial is to ensure that the boat is as described and everything that is claimed to work, actually works. You should take your surveyor with you as he will know the routine.

If the owner is on board you can also use the opportunity to pick his brains on operational aspects of the boat, but you have to be realistic about how much you can cover in 2-3 hours and one set of weather and sea conditions. I had nearly a whole day handover on my new boat and still covered only the basics and am still learning about new bits a year later. With an older and more complex boat there is a lot to learn, particularly as previous owners will have made changes, added equipment etc over the years. So concentrate on the main things such as the rig, sail controls, engine operation, anchoring, navigational kit, autopilot, electrical system and main domestic items (cooker, fridge, loos etc). Know where all the important switches, valves, seacocks etc are located and any peculiarities of their operation. Might be useful to make notes as doubt there will be a handbook as you will almost certainly suffer information overload by the end of the day!
Click to expand...

Sandyman said:
Presumably you have considered berthing costs for a 44 footer.
Click to expand...

Yes thanks Sandyman we have been searching all week and have found a lovely mud berth in a quiet backwater in Rye. Tidal restrictions not too important at this stage as we need to do a lot of work and studying to get both us and and the boat ready to go.
 
Malabarista said:
Hi and thanks for your concern. We have both transatted ( if that's a word) and have over 20 years experience sailing OPB's. My wife has a lot of experience sailing around Africa and up to Nationals level in Darts.
A few years ago i got involved with a nutcase and we did a lot of offshore work in a Wayfarer, Ireland, IOM etc.
But it all feels very different when there is no one to shout at us!
Click to expand...

My first boat was a Moody 44, (1995, not 1970's :) ), bought at age 46, after about 40 years of sailing other peoples boats :)

Whatever you find at the sea trial, and whatever the survey talks about, there will definitely be a lot of ongoing maintenance and upkeep of a boat this age.

In addition, I would expect a survey to reveal lots of stuff that might be, or seem, serious, but you would tend to expect this on an old boat. It would be easy to walk away from some of the stuff you might discover, but, after 3 or 4 surveys on different boats, you might also find out that this is what life is like in the old boat world, and you either accept it, or look for something younger, (and probably smaller).
 
Cheers Johnalison.
The engine was replaced 2011 and a larger horsepower 75HP Yanmar fitted. Currently at 344 hrs
I am astounded at all the help i am receiving. Thanks to all
 
Good luck with her, Malabarista. There are bound to be +++ points to discover, and probably a few --- points. I'd suggest taking a Dictaphone along, both so you can record your questions AND the vendor's answers. Not, I hasten to add, for 'iiability/misrepresentation' reasons, but so you can refer to the tape ( transcribe it later? ) when you've forgotten where the 'thingy' for the fuel pipe is kept, or what that cock under the floorboards is for.

And get the vendor to agree to answer your questions after sale.....

Enjoi! :D
 
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