Sea trial tips

[Andy Bav]

I am sure the surveyor will look at it, but see how much the voltage on the engine and house batteries drops when shorepower is disconnected.

Dont ask why I suggest this :ambivalence:

Good luck

 

[Portofino]

That isn't generally the purpose of a sea trial conducted as part of the purchase process, unless you have made provision for this in the purchase agreement. Generally, the sole purpose of the sea trial is to make sure that everything works as intended and expected - it isn't like test-driving a car.

I guess so if you have signed a blind (ish) contract whereby after wards then the seller lets you have a go .
The get out clauses or reject , are more tangible mech issues that the seller can not resolve or just plain survey defect like riddled with ossmosis @ lift out etc .

That why I have never bothered in 5 boats boughts and umpteen "test driven " getting myself into that predicament .
Eg last year I went out on a 30 hr Riva ,wife thought it slammed --rejected -walked away .
It would have sailed through a survey being an ex dealer demo etc .

On Balance the Med market is less anal than the stuffy UK .
If a test drive or lack of test drive is barrier to proceeding ,they take it down .
I,am thinking bums on seats ,but sure there's will be time wasters but then if a party really wants it ( after the test drive ) then any minor niggle thrown up later in the official "sea trail " like the remote control light does not turn to Stb is just accepted -cos it's a 2nd hand boat priced accordingly .
Of course buyer be aware but they are not new and carry no guarantees .

Buts it a bit of a bummer if it passes its survey etc and you dicide it too noisey ,slams , can,t see out ,helm seats wrong = back ache ,rattles and shakes about etc .

You need to find that stuff out before it gets all official .

When I bought my Sunseeker from the Factory they said " fancy a go in it in Poole harbour "
When I bought the current boat we checked it cold with the skipper , went through every access panal then went for a blast to Capri .They refused my offer of € 2-300 for diesel .

Did the deals after that .

Went home and then sent deposits -started the paper work etc .

 

[Bigplumbs]

Most pre-purchase contracts don't allow you to reject the boat because you don't like it, only if there is a significant material problem with the boat.

Who mentioned anything about a Pre Purchase Contract

 

[petem]

Who mentioned anything about a Pre Purchase Contract

If you don't sign a pre-purchase contract then you're at danger of being gazumped or the seller deciding that he no longer wishes to sell the boat. Could be rather annoying if you've already paid for flights, survey, etc.

Not to mention the fact that the buyer may not be willing to accept your offer without pre-purchase survey.

All OK if you're buying something that isn't a popular marque or old knacker. But as anyone who has tried buying a good nick / mainstream boat recently, it's a sellers market out there.

 

[mcanderson]

Update:

As I mentioned the boat is out of the water for antifoul, engine and outdrive service and polish. Without even blinking the following has been found and rectified by the yard, broker and owner without asking me or the surveyor:

Two steering rams replaced - one was leaking and the advice was replace both.
Water heater - owner said it wasn't functioning so replaced.
Other minor bits noticed and fixed.
Pictures of the hull polish and all work sent and they look great. The hull has come up very well.

Broker and owner are a pleasure to work with. Details of the broker will be passed onwards once the sea trial is complete and the deal is in the bag.

 

[mcanderson]

If you don't sign a pre-purchase contract then you're at danger of being gazumped or the seller deciding that he no longer wishes to sell the boat. Could be rather annoying if you've already paid for flights, survey, etc.

Not to mention the fact that the buyer may not be willing to accept your offer without pre-purchase survey.

All OK if you're buying something that isn't a popular marque or old knacker. But as anyone who has tried buying a good nick / mainstream boat recently, it's a sellers market out there.

Pre sale contract was signed with negotiations of 'get out clauses' of acceptable sea trial with right of refusal, and full survey with surveyor of my choice as well as finance clause of my choosing. Don't really need finance, but its an option.

 

[mcanderson]

Checking of batteries sometimes/usually falls between the two stools of the hull survey and the engine survey; check electrolyte levels (if applicable) and use an automotive load tester on each battery (need to disconnect each battery in turn). Check battery charger. Check all domestic plumbing at all outlets and overall for leaks, and immersion heater if you can. Check all gas systems if applicable, preferably by a certified checker. Also: nav lights etc, tender/outboard, bilge pumps and float switches.

All new batteries last year, taking multimeter with me and were checked on the survey (tick vg), one nav light already fixed, no gas, heater replaced as per post #45.

Good point on float switches.

 

[petem]

Pre sale contract was signed with negotiations of 'get out clauses' of acceptable sea trial with right of refusal, and full survey with surveyor of my choice as well as finance clause of my choosing. Don't really need finance, but its an option.

Sounds good. Not all brokers are bad but it does make sense to read the pre-sale contract, as you have, so that you understand your rights of refusal and who pays for broken stuff to be fixed.

 

[mcanderson]

Sounds good. Not all brokers are bad but it does make sense to read the pre-sale contract, as you have, so that you understand your rights of refusal and who pays for broken stuff to be fixed.

I certainly didn't sign the first version of the contract

 

[petem]

I certainly didn't sign the first version of the contract

Quite right too!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

This is all sounding v positive McAnderson, good luck for the sea trial on Friday. If we see lots of fireworks in the south of France on Saturday night, we'll know that it all went well!

 

[gjgm]

I guess so if you have signed a blind (ish) contract whereby after wards then the seller lets you have a go .
The get out clauses or reject , are more tangible mech issues that the seller can not resolve or just plain survey defect like riddled with ossmosis @ lift out etc .

That why I have never bothered in 5 boats boughts and umpteen "test driven " getting myself into that predicament .
Eg last year I went out on a 30 hr Riva ,wife thought it slammed --rejected -walked away .
It would have sailed through a survey being an ex dealer demo etc .

On Balance the Med market is less anal than the stuffy UK .
If a test drive or lack of test drive is barrier to proceeding ,they take it down .
I,am thinking bums on seats ,but sure there's will be time wasters but then if a party really wants it ( after the test drive ) then any minor niggle thrown up later in the official "sea trail " like the remote control light does not turn to Stb is just accepted -cos it's a 2nd hand boat priced accordingly .
Of course buyer be aware but they are not new and carry no guarantees .

Buts it a bit of a bummer if it passes its survey etc and you dicide it too noisey ,slams , can,t see out ,helm seats wrong = back ache ,rattles and shakes about etc .

You need to find that stuff out before it gets all official .

When I bought my Sunseeker from the Factory they said " fancy a go in it in Poole harbour "
When I bought the current boat we checked it cold with the skipper , went through every access panal then went for a blast to Capri .They refused my offer of € 2-300 for diesel .

Did the deals after that .

Went home and then sent deposits -started the paper work etc .

But those are stock boats not privately ownes boats? Certainly there is a different situation there.
Poole harbour haha right that would be a real tough test! I always laughed at SBS when the big Uk boys took the prospective client up and down Southampton Water...JFMs floating armchair would pass that sea trial there!
Anyway. OP.. seems like seller is being very fair..sounds like all is going well...good luck

 

[jrudge]

I guess so if you have signed a blind (ish) contract whereby after wards then the seller lets you have a go .
The get out clauses or reject , are more tangible mech issues that the seller can not resolve or just plain survey defect like riddled with ossmosis @ lift out etc .

That why I have never bothered in 5 boats boughts and umpteen "test driven " getting myself into that predicament .
Eg last year I went out on a 30 hr Riva ,wife thought it slammed --rejected -walked away .
It would have sailed through a survey being an ex dealer demo etc .

On Balance the Med market is less anal than the stuffy UK .
If a test drive or lack of test drive is barrier to proceeding ,they take it down .
I,am thinking bums on seats ,but sure there's will be time wasters but then if a party really wants it ( after the test drive ) then any minor niggle thrown up later in the official "sea trail " like the remote control light does not turn to Stb is just accepted -cos it's a 2nd hand boat priced accordingly .
Of course buyer be aware but they are not new and carry no guarantees .

Buts it a bit of a bummer if it passes its survey etc and you dicide it too noisey ,slams , can,t see out ,helm seats wrong = back ache ,rattles and shakes about etc .

You need to find that stuff out before it gets all official .

When I bought my Sunseeker from the Factory they said " fancy a go in it in Poole harbour "
When I bought the current boat we checked it cold with the skipper , went through every access panal then went for a blast to Capri .They refused my offer of € 2-300 for diesel .

Did the deals after that .

Went home and then sent deposits -started the paper work etc .

Same with boats.co.uk and ancaster ( current boat ) the paperwork and money done last