Sea Trail some advice wanted pls

[Sneds]

We are due to sea trial our new (2nd hand) 28' sports cruiser on Saturday and wondered if anyone has any advice or answers?
What in particular should I look for and test/try out when on the water?
How long would be reasonable to be out on her?
I have paid for the lift in and out again and am expecting to put some diesel in her?
Our surveyor will be on board and, I guess, someone from the brokers.
All input more than welcome.....Cheers

 

[gjgm]

I always thought it was simply the occasion to test aspects of the boat that cant be tested on dry land, or when stationary.
Engine revs, turbo, supercharger cut in/out, smoke, nasty noise, listing,steering problems,oil pressure,engine temp,trim tabs, engine trim,max speed,check engine bay before and after for any undesirable deposits. Pretty much all those things you keep an eye on in normal use anyway.Its also a chance, not so much test, for someone to take you through the running of the boat.. fuel cut off etc. Takes 15-30 mins depending on location/where you are and whether you can get straight into testing.

 

[Kipper]

I cant add much to the above exept to emphasise that you take enough time to get the engines nice and warm and running at normal cruising speeds for a while as this seems to highlight overheating problems if they are present. and as said before have a good look in the engine bay before and after th check for leaks and such.

 

[Kipper]

Also time how long it takes to get on the plane as if it seems to take too long it can indicate fuel or turbo(if fitted) problems.

 

[sarabande]

When the engines are warmed up properly and you have had a bit of run, just let them idle for about 5 mins while you check out a few other things, then open them up quickly and see if they create a lot of smoke, if so what colour, and if/how long it takes to revert to a non-smoky condition.

This will indicate the condition of valve gear, piston rings etc.

 

[AdeOlly]

On my last sea trial with engine surveyor on board he had me run the boat at WOT for 10-15 minutes. The reason being that if anything was going to fail/leak/overheat that'd encourage it to do so, and did in my case - a weeping head gasket. Also gives you a true idea of max speed, how the boat handles that speed, if it's got the right size props, and is good fun too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Sneds]

Thanks all, good advice. I don't want to come away thinking "Bugger! I didn't think of that!"
Looking forward to getting out there and giving her a blast!

 

[KCook]

Since this is a planing hull, also check trim response. I had a bowrider that just would not fly the bow, no matter how much UP trim I gave the drive. Very discouraging situation in big waves. &^%$# thing would head butt every wave.

Kelly Cook

 

[gimmesunshine]

I had engine survey, and we ran for 2 hours, did wot for at least 3 5 to 10 minute runs,
check the drive operation at speed
we found :
coolant leak from cap as was overfilled, soon settled
wiring to ram pump was reversed and hydralics swapped, meaning at speed couldnt drive leg in as was on low pressure side - easy fix