What to look for during a sea trial

Bald_Dad

Bald_Dad

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I am coming dangerously close to fulfilling my New Year's Resolution - to buy my first yacht. I haven't had sight of the survey yet but that will be with me tomorrow. Then the plan is to take her out for a trial on Friday.

So, she's a Countess 28, built 1981. What would be sensible/reasonable to check during the sea trial and how long should I allow. Any advice most welcome.

Thanks in anticipation
 
Ask if your surveyor can come along - seriously.

There are so many small things to look out for even the most experienced can overlook in the excitement of a 'first sail' type outing.

If you want a copy of a survey we had done five years back with the surveyors comments on his sea trial to use as a guide - pm me.

Cheers
JOHN
 
I would start tonight by writeing a list! Think, what can I only look at or observe when underway rather than static. Sail shape, does the mast stay straight under load (or bend as required), does the engine, gearbox and shaft run smoothly throughout the power range. Do all the instruments work and does the boat sail the same on both tacks acording to the instruments. is the log reading true agains GPS allowing for tide. Does the ground tackle/windlass work. When heeled do fiddles do what you expect. Does the cooker gimble smoothly. Do sails go up and down easily. is there a hint of weather helm.

Right you lot add to that!

Yoda
 
Do the clocks work?

A sail trial is for confirming what can't be tested ashore; not for deciding if you like the boat or not.
 
[ QUOTE ]

A sail trial is for confirming what can't be tested ashore; not for deciding if you like the boat or not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, do I like how stiff it is, how it points, the weather helm, the stiffness of the tiller? Do I like how the running rigging operates? These are important likes/ dislikes that can only be checked afloat.

Whatever. . . and you will still miss something. I didn't sea trial either of my boats, I paid a price that allowed me to deal with any likely potential problems - and I wasn't disappointed.

A major part of the deal is about whether the seller is trustworthy/ reliable/ truthful. You won't get thet from a sea trial.
 
Anything you can't check while not out at sea. May sound obvious but if the owner's the helpful type that wants to do everything. Either he just helpful and want you to get the most out of the trip, OR, he covering something up. i.e. worn winches, slightly dodgy throttle/gearchange linkages.

Fiddle with everything: radio, instruments, auto pilot, sea cocks, winches etc etc etc. If it's got a kite, fly it if you can.

See how it handles under sail and power. If the owner's a bit hesitant about you taking it into a marina, then try it out at slow speed somewhere sheltered.
 
the one expensive thing I want to know is does the engine start from very cold OK?

Does it smoke?

Are there any vibrations when its running?

Put it up to full revs and see if it overheats...

Does she feel fun to sail or is the gear too heavy....

Most everything else can be checked on the mooring I think.......
 
Check for any water intake while making way, check engine unger load , ie for any excessive smoke, oil blow out the breather, dip stick hole, also check exaust system.
Have you had the boat out of the water to check the keel for security, (as I well know from my mistake of not having her lifted out and checked) there could be a hell of a lot of work in putting it right.
A hose is a good way to check the windows for leaks at the marina, etc, also the forward hatch.
Good luck with her.
 
I'd say the major cost items that if needing replacement would be ammunition for price negotiation are sails, engine and standing rigging. Have you done enough sailing to know when the sails are baggy and past their best? If not, perhaps you could take a sailing friend along for the ride?
 
for sure take at least one experienced friend (or the surveyor) along - you will almost certainly be biased towards buying the boat, they will be more objective as to its faults. Oh, and give the boat some abuse - over canvas it, rev the engine hard, all within reason of course but see how the boat behaves and watch the expression on the owners face - are they looking nervous!. Establish its characteristics when hove to and its response to a momentary release of the tiller. Remember the old advice - it is very easy to buy a boat, it is less easy to sell it on.
 
Re: Bald Dad’s comment above

"The one expensive thing I want to know is does the engine start from very cold OK?"

Arrive at the boat early, before the engine is started, so that you can make a mental note of how long it takes to start. Note if it emmits a great deal of smoke etc. etc.
 
You won't need to check the sea-cocks because like everybody else who buys a boat, your first job on purchase will be removing them and replacing or refurbishing.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Re: Bald Dad’s comment above

"The one expensive thing I want to know is does the engine start from very cold OK?"

Arrive at the boat early, before the engine is started, so that you can make a mental note of how long it takes to start. Note if it emmits a great deal of smoke etc. etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

And before you start it, feel the engine to see if it is warm. If so, be wary.
 
This is not a trip round the bay to see whether you like the boat - you've already gone that far, this is part of the survey.

Does the head suck and blow as advertised. Do the sink(s) drain. Look at the stern gland while the engine is running in gear - how leaky is it? Are the batteries charging - do they hold their charge when the engine is off? Try to hoist every sail, to see if they've any life left in them. And other stuff that others have mentioned.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ask if your surveyor can come along - seriously.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would second that, the first time I went out in my yacht, it ended up getting run aground with a call to the coastguard.

Its only natural that on the first voyage youll have youre head in the clouds and not on deck where its needed!

Id bring as many experienced crew as will fit comfortably, and the surveyor too.

Its peace of mind too, you know youll have given it as thorough a test and inspection as possible.

Mat
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have you had the boat out of the water to check the keel for security, (as I well know from my mistake of not having her lifted out and checked) there could be a hell of a lot of work in putting it right.


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No problems with loose keel etc, the countess has an encapsulated keel...
 
One thing no one seemsto have mentioned ,ask yourself will I enjoy sailing this boat? If you cant get comfortable at the helm you wont enjoy sailing her.

Lie down on the bunks if there not comfy cruising wont be much fun.

On a more practical level to repeat what others have said the sails ,instruments and engine will not have had much of an inspection(if any)by the surveyor.This is probably your only chance to assess the servicability of them.
 
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