Sea trial

[Sneaky Pete]

Having a sea trial next week on a 35ft Beneteau yacht. I’ve done a good bit of sailing and good with mechanicals but not many sea trials so will be checking on boat under power and then sail. Would I be right in saying to run the engine at 3000rpm for 20 minutes to check for such things as overheating etc. I want to check out when at sea the:-
gearbox F&R
Autohelm
Rudder movement
Wheel steering
Tacking & jibing
Sails out and in furling system.
could I have suggestions of anything else that would be worth considering.

Thanks

 

[Tranona]

The purpose of a sea trial is to ensure that everything works as claimed in the description on which your offer was based (subject to any subsequent changes after the survey). It does not mean necessarily checking its sailing performance unless specific claims were made. Your list is the basics. sails should go up and down, furl and winches, travellers etc should function. All electronics should work including the AP. The engine should be run to maximum to check it achieves maximum speed. Alternator should charge and any instruments such as rev counter, voltmeter, oil pressure, fuel gauge should work. All lights should be checked and interior items such as cooker, lights, fridge, radio, TV, cooker as well as water system and bilge pumps.

The assumption is that unless indicated prior to the contract everything should be functioning. The survey identifies anything that can be determined by inspection, sea trial anything that can only be tested in use.

 

[Stemar]

Look at how the sails set - do they have a good shape? Any damage to the UV strip - significant fading means you aren't far from a replacement.