Sea trial tips

petem said:
Take oil samples. Your surveyor should be able to organise this.
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Of the fresh allegedly changed oil?

If its fresh it normally stays golden for a few hours ,before darkening after some long ish hgh speed runs .
I tend to rub it between my fingers to feel the viscosity .

Oil sampes are only a spot window into the oil .Best used to see trends over time. Eg 3 monthly in constant running genys or off shore standby vessels .
A one off pretty useless --it's the paper work ,history whats it had done when and by who ?
Once past that hurdle then off to boat itself .
Or go to the boat without the history file and confirm its a mechanical "crock of 8hit " -priced to reflect normally .

It's a neat trick full service 24 hrs before sea trail to lure an unsuspecting buyer into taking on deffered maintenance .
 
Porto, Pete,

Thanks.

Oil samples - tick.

I have seen all the previous paper work for servicing and antifouling and the people who own the boat get it serviced about now as they spend August on board as well as September. They tend to use the boat as a apartment for most of the year.

The service and other work is all being done in St Raphael by VP main agents.

Thanks for the ideas on the lifting of bedding, I didn't have that one on my list. I have already crawled over every other hatch and storage area. All looked good.

My surveyor will be at the boat as she is lifted and will inspect the drives before the service including the oil. We have already discussed this.

The engines are spotless. I was very critical in my inspection when we saw the boat.

Surveyor is doing his bit tomorrow and I fly down for the sea trial on Thursday with Friday being the test.
 
Sounds good --- the timing etc quite normal -as you have explained .
It's was just a small risk ,knowing the French as I do .No offence to the French ,of course assuming its a FR seller .It may not be !

The "risk o meter " is turned down -:)

Exciting times .:encouragement:
 
Boat2016 said:
Why would you not use a manufacturers agent ? I would expect they could find out more about the history than an independent would and will have any up to date info that would be relevant
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Easy answer and I wasTOLD by a service manager from a VP agent that they don't like carrying out surveys on there own make of engine because they won't rubbish a product they sell, I carry out more engine inspections and sea trials now than I ever have done especially on the D4/6 engines which most of the time I could write the report before I set foot on the boat, each make and model of engine have there own faults whatcha are common knowledge.
 
crossy said:
You would have thought so but my experience was not the case.

I had the UK dealer for my engines do a full pre-purchase survey, sea trial and report for mine and said they were in A1 condition. From the moment I picked the boat up I did nothing but poor oil in the port engine every time I used it.

If and when next time comes it willl be a reputable independent mechanical surveyor and I will insist that he measures blow by on the crank case (a manometer will do this for you) to measure wear.

I'm sure your survey will be fine but this is just my experience.

Andrew
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Exactly, I for one have no allegiance to anyone other than the purchaser, yes it sounds harsh but that's what the job is all about, no good papering over the cracks, engines are what they are full stop.
 
Portofino said:
Oil sampes are only a spot window into the oil .Best used to see trends over time. Eg 3 monthly in constant running genys or off shore standby vessels .
A one off pretty useless --it's the paper work ,history whats it had done when and by who ?
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Porto, I'd dispute that. A good oil sample analysis won't guarantee the engines are good but if you get results where one engine is OK and the other engine is described as having:

High levels of Aluminium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Nickel, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Tin, FW and indications of ingress of dust/dirt/silicon lubricant, coolant leak, oil cooler corrosion or severe salt (K, Na, Mg) ingress. Heavy component wear, possibly including bearing and piston wear.

You don't need to see a trend analysis to know that there's something amiss with the engine.

Pete
 
volvopaul said:
Easy answer and I was TOLD by a service manager from a VP agent that they don't like carrying out surveys on there own make of engine because they won't rubbish a product they sell, I carry out more engine inspections and sea trials now than I ever have done especially on the D4/6 engines which most of the time I could write the report before I set foot on the boat, each make and model of engine have there own faults whatcha are common knowledge.
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And the VP dealer that has looked after the engines from new is hardly going to admin that they're knackered. Particularly if the vendor is paying for the service and inspection!
 
volvopaul said:
Easy answer and I wasTOLD by a service manager from a VP agent that they don't like carrying out surveys on there own make of engine because they won't rubbish a product they sell, I carry out more engine inspections and sea trials now than I ever have done especially on the D4/6 engines which most of the time I could write the report before I set foot on the boat, each make and model of engine have there own faults whatcha are common knowledge.
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But before the op decides to take up kayaking instead..is what you say so surprising? Surely every mechanical device man has ever built has some faults? Question is..how serious are they and what does it cost to fix. I dont know what the boat is or what it costs but if we are talking about 100k or 200k or 500k maybe he shouldnt be scared out of his mind over what may only be potential say 500 repair bill.
Not directed at you VPaul but I sometimes wonder how some folk ever sleep at nignt owning a boat?
I certainly hope this boat is not on drives or the doomsayers will be running for the hills screaming and pulling their hair!
 
Don't forget the ancillaries. Air con ( heat and cool ) microwave hob chargers radio etc e.g. Test everything. On the boat I have just bought it cost the vendor some 10k in the small bits which rapidly add up
 
Thanks. All that is on my ever expanding list.

Surveyor's inspection yesterday gave a clean bill of health with some small niggles.

Sea trial to follow, but it looks like the broker has just figured out Friday is Fete Nationale and is now mumbling about Saturday. I am keen to hold his feet to the fire. More to follow!
 
Heck you are going to be busy on the trial will you actually have time to feel how she rides and actually see if you like it. Don't get too carried away with tests etc on a second hand boat something's need to be a leap of faith. Concentrate on the engines and the larger expensive bits or you will drive yourself mad

Dennis
 
Inevitably you and/or a surveyor will miss a few little things. As others have said the engines and gearboxes are the expensive bits
on the sea trial drive it like you stole it and keep checking the oil pressure and temperatures as everything gets hot and works hard. Don't for get to see what the oil pressures are when you are back at Idle speeds. When tied back up again see if anything is leaking.
 
I am planning on an hour for the sea trial and then a further hour for time to crawl over everything on my list. It will Bastille Day so the broker (who first suggested this Friday for the sea trial) will be keen to get going I guess, but I'm not. The surveyor will be with me for the entire time as the guiding and steadying hand.

Getting very excited about Friday.
 
mcanderson said:
I am planning on an hour for the sea trial and then a further hour for time to crawl over everything on my list. It will Bastille Day so the broker (who first suggested this Friday for the sea trial) will be keen to get going I guess, but I'm not. The surveyor will be with me for the entire time as the guiding and steadying hand.

Getting very excited about Friday.
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I would definitely take your time and as Jrudge said if you find some faults, it's your chance to get them put right at the vendor's expense rather than yours. Good luck and enjoy the day between the nerves!
 
Bigplumbs said:
will you actually have time to feel how she rides and actually see if you like it
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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.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
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.
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Well If I didn't like it I would not buy it, That is certainly part of any trial I would do
 
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.
 
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