| Whatever type of boat you are buying, the same | | | | and title documents. Missing or altered hull registration |
| general rules apply. Follow these principles and you | | | | numbers indicate that the boat may be stolen. It is |
| can buy your boat with confidence. | | | | crucial that you ensure that you are not buying a |
| When buying from a private seller, the boat will | | | | stolen boat; if you do, you risk losing the boat and |
| usually come with no warranty, so you need to | | | | your money. |
| check it carefully to avoid making an expensive | | | | Although it may not be practical to do so, viewing |
| mistake. Many brokers and dealers sell used boats as | | | | your boat out of the water is very useful, allowing |
| well as new, and may offer a limited warranty. Whilst | | | | you to check the hull below the waterline. Is the keel |
| this may provide some peace of mind, the dealer's | | | | running straight from fore to aft? Make sure the |
| commission is usually reflected in a higher price. | | | | rudder, shaft and propeller are straight; do they show |
| Before inspecting the boat there are some checks | | | | any signs of a collision? Look for signs of cavitation |
| you can make so you don't waste your time and | | | | which manifests itself as an erosion of the surface of |
| effort: | | | | the propeller blades - an indication of poor |
| Check out the builder of your chosen boat. Is it a | | | | performance. Make sure that the propeller and shaft |
| highly regarded brand? Are they still trading? If not, | | | | do not wobble. |
| getting replacement parts may prove difficult. | | | | On a sailing boat, check that all sails and rigging are in |
| Why is the boat being sold? This can be an indication | | | | good order. |
| of how well the boat has been looked after. If the | | | | If possible, contact the previous owner to get any |
| boat is a repossession, it may indicate that the boat | | | | further information; as they no longer have any |
| has not been looked after; if the owner didn't keep | | | | interest in whether the boat is sold or not, they can |
| up payments to the financer, then he may have | | | | give you an impartial viewpoint. |
| shown the same lack of care for the boat's | | | | Engine Checks |
| maintenance. | | | | Unless you're an engine expert, it would be best to |
| If the boat is being sold because the owner is | | | | get a mechanic to look over the engine for you. |
| upsizing, this might indicate that the owner is a real | | | | Look out for the presence of oil in the bilges - a sign |
| boating enthusiast, and thus may have taken greater | | | | of an oil leak. |
| care in the boat's upkeep. If the reason for selling is | | | | Inspect the gaskets and hoses for oil leaks. |
| that there's a problem with the boat, then be aware | | | | Inspect the level and condition of the oil. A milky |
| that if you buy that boat, you will be the new owner | | | | appearance signifies that water may be leaking into |
| of that problem! | | | | the engine. A burned smell or grit in the oil, are |
| Does the boat have a full maintenance log? This | | | | indications of mechanical problems, whilst a chalky |
| should list all services, repair, and oil changes. If it's | | | | residue on the engine or drive signals that the engine |
| missing, it can be hard to tell how well the boat has | | | | has been running hot. |
| been looked after. | | | | Pull out a spark plug and examine it for age. If it's old, |
| Is all the equipment you need present? For example, | | | | perhaps the engine hasn't been serviced as often as |
| navigation, lights, winches etc. If not present, you will | | | | it should. |
| have to buy some equipment separately, so build this | | | | Examine all hoses and belts. Are they cracked or |
| into your budget. | | | | degraded? Smell for fuel leaks from hoses, and check |
| What was the main use of the boat? The use of the | | | | that the fuel tanks are sound. |
| boat can affect its condition. For example, boats | | | | Are the engine mounts sturdy? |
| used mainly for fishing often run up high engine hours. | | | | Check the sacrificial anodes. Do they need replacing? |
| Inspecting The Boat | | | | Compression check the engine. |
| It is recommended that you use a surveyor to carry | | | | Sea Trial |
| out a detailed inspection. | | | | If everything is up to your standards, take the boat |
| At the moment, anyone can call themselves a marine | | | | for a test drive. |
| surveyor, so it is important to make sure that yours | | | | Before starting the engine, check if it is already |
| is accredited by the relevant authority. Some | | | | warm; if the engine has trouble starting or smokes a |
| examples are listed below: | | | | lot when cold, the seller may have warmed-up the |
| The Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association, The | | | | engine prior to your arrival to disguise such problems. |
| International Institute of Marine Surveying, The | | | | Check the bilges at the start and end of the trial; |
| Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS), The | | | | looking for evidence of an oil leak. |
| National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) | | | | See how the boat manoeuvres. Is the steering |
| Using a surveyor will give you peace of mind, and | | | | responsive? Hit waves from different angles, looking |
| your finance and insurance companies may insist upon | | | | for excessive pitch or roll. Try out these factors |
| it. You should never rely on an old survey - new | | | | whilst above and below deck. |
| problems may have occurred since it was carried out. | | | | Test that all the instruments are working correctly, |
| If you are experienced and confident enough, you | | | | and run the engine for long enough to see if it'll |
| may be able to perform an inspection yourself. Here | | | | overheat. |
| are some things to look out for: | | | | If it's a sailing boat, put the sails up, and see how she |
| Has the boat been looked after well? Examine | | | | manoeuvres under sail. Try out different points of |
| obvious features such as the gel coat, woodwork | | | | sale. Examine the mast and rigging under load. |
| and upholstery. If these haven't been maintained then | | | | If the boat does not pass on any of your tests, you |
| there's a good chance the rest of the boat has not | | | | do not necessarily need to rule it out, as long as you |
| had much care either. | | | | are willing to put some time (and money) into putting |
| Check all wooden decking and interior woodwork for | | | | things right. You can use any imperfections to try to |
| any soft spots. | | | | agree a lower price. |
| Are any parts of the exterior paintwork poorly | | | | Get It In Writing |
| matching? This may indicate a previous accident. | | | | If you decide to purchase the boat, you should get a |
| Check that all the control cables (for steering, throttle | | | | Sales Agreement. This should state the terms and |
| etc.) are in good working order. The steering and | | | | amount of payment, and detail any pre-sale repairs |
| transmission should move freely. | | | | that have been agreed on - making clear who is |
| Look for water lines inside the boat or on the engine. | | | | responsible for carrying them out and paying for |
| These indicate that the boat has flooded in the past. | | | | them. It should also list which accessories are included |
| Open and close all the hatches and sea cocks to | | | | and the delivery and payment dates. |
| ensure they're in good working order. Water marks | | | | Beware Of Fraud |
| inside the hatches would indicate that they are no | | | | Does the price seem too good to be true? If so, it |
| longer water-tight. | | | | probably is. The boat may either be stolen or the |
| You should test all the systems such as, bilge pump, | | | | seller may take your deposit and never be |
| winches, freshwater system, lights, heater and air | | | | contactable again. Make sure that you get the real |
| conditioning, generator, stove etc. | | | | address of the seller; you should be suspicious of |
| Check that all hardware is attached firmly, and that | | | | anyone who only uses a PO Box. |
| electrical items and connections are free from rust. | | | | Verify all the contact details of the seller. If there is |
| Examine the hull all over, taking note of its general | | | | an email address, make sure you can get a reply |
| condition and looking for any dents, cracks or chips in | | | | from them. Get a telephone number for them and |
| the gel coat if applicable. Tapping a fibreglass hull | | | | make sure it works. |
| lightly with a rubber hammer, listening for voids, can | | | | If the boat is in a different country to the seller, be |
| help reveal any blistering or delamination. Any fittings | | | | extra cautious, and take even more care if either are |
| that go through the hull should be checked to make | | | | outside of your own country. |
| sure they are tight and won't leak. | | | | If anything just doesn't seem right, don't dismiss |
| Find the hull registration number, and make sure it is | | | | those feelings until you've checked them out. Often |
| present, doesn't look like it has been tampered with, | | | | your instincts are correct. |
| and matches the number on the boat's registration | | | | |