Sea Trial

[jhr]

After months of prevarication, procrastination and dithering, it looks as if I may, finally, be on the verge of buying a boat.

The survey and sea trial is tomorrow and, although I have my own checklist of things to look out for, I'd like to hear what others have looked for when conducting a sea trial. The survey will obviously cover structural matters.

Without descending into List Hell, mine broadly comprises the following:

Hull and superstructure: Does anything leak? Any evident list, or oddity in ride, whether at low speed or planing? Does she handle OK (ideally in a chop, tho' the Solent may not be helpful tomorrow)? Are all the deck fittings etc. in good order and doing their job?

Mechanical: Does the engine start/go/stop OK? Are the instrument readings OK(if the clocks are working!)? Does anything go or feel wrong at sustained cruising speeds? Does she perform according to manufacturer's spec (she's only 2 years old and will be scrubbed tomorrow)? Does anything go wrong at WOT? Any signs of faltering/hunting/etc? Any evidence of prop or leg problems (vibration etc) or general wonkiness? Does she engulf petrol, or merely slurp it in large gulps? Does the leg go up and down?

Electrical: Does all the kit work? What sort of shape's the battery in and how much does starting up take out of it? Is the alternator working? Any evidence of gremlins, contact problems etc generally? Do the water system/blower/bilge pump etc. work?

Anything else? All suggestions gratefully received.

Oh - nearly forgot. The boat's a Sea Ray 215. Merc 5.0L petrol.

TIA.



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[BarryH]

Give Happy a call, he's master of lists. You broadly seem to have covered the angles. Can't think of anything else. Let the price reflect the condition of the boat. If it feels a bit suss, walk away theres plenty of others.

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[sailbadthesinner]

how is tghe hapmeister
is he still floating kimmerised in cyberspace?????????????????

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>

 

[BarryH]

As far as I know or been told, the portal was left open for his return. Maybe the bread got stuck in the toaster and overloaded the genny or the bluetooth thing is at the dentist's.

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[sailbadthesinner]

well i do hope he has not heard about ian
where would he fit a fully blown A nd E dept on the boat?


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>

 

[Alistairr]

WATCH OUT GUYS...

A little birdy told me that the return of the H1 is this thursday...

And i say Welcome back..

Cheers

Alistair....



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[sailbadthesinner]

good oh
be nice to see him back

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>

 

[MickJ]

I recently commissioned my first survey. I pestered and badgered him whilst he was working, and got his opinion on absolutely everything first hand. It took all the worry out of it and I needn't have worried about preparing any questions, the report was more comprehensive that I could have imagined.

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[Canboria]

Spoke with H1 on Sunday in Chatham Marina, in good form no mention of him returning to the Forum, although I did not raise the subject, may see him in the week will ask the question.

Derek

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[BarryH]

I think he got the hump with everyone. Lets face it he did take more than his fair share of flak. Don't blame him really. He only came here looking to learn a bit and everybody took the piss. I would have done the same.

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[Jerbro]

On both the purchases I made, I paid for a mechanical survey as well. But these were both in excess of 5 years old with a couple of diesels. First mechanical survey spotted several things wrong with the outdrives that I did'nt think of at the time (tiny split in bellows resulting in rusty universal joint/emulsified oil etc).

Get to see all the receipts for servicing/parts, bill of sale, full set of manuals etc

<hr width=100% size=1>Jerbro
====
Click here for <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.btinternet.com/~jerbro> My ex-boat pics</A>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Agree with Jerbro. The surveyor will report on the structural integrity of the boat and where possible, check the operation of systems and equipment but he will not report on the engine and outdrive. Well worth paying for a mechanic to accompany you on the seatrial and check the engine under load (but nobody will be able to tell for sure what condition the internal parts of the engine are in) and to inspect the outdrive whilst the boat is out of the water for the surveyor. Outdrives can be expensive to repair so any problems can be used to negotiate more off the price

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[petem]

Check the paperwork. Are all the service invoices there? Certificate of VAT payment? Is the boat an official import or grey? What's the previous owner like? Can you give him a call? How clean are the bilges?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.FairlineOwnersClub.com>Fairline Owner's Club</A>