Hull and Deck Survey
Any worthwhile inspection lasts several hours so even if a couple of boats are situated close together do not plan on visiting more than one boat a day. Take overalls, gloves, a flashlight, a tape measure, ruler, camera, spare batteries for camera and flashlight, a bradawl or sharp penknife, mirror, notepad, pencil and copies of the inventory and photographs that the owner provided. The mirror is to peer into awkward corners and the bradawl is to poke suspicious-looking timber. No boat owner will like you doing this so use it discreetly.
If the owner or broker insists on staying with you once he had opened up the boat then they may offer some explanation or comment every time you make a note or take a photograph. Be non-committal and try not to become involved in any discussion on the points raised but do make a note of his remarks. They may come in useful later when negotiating over the price.
A wise seller has the boat looking as pretty as possible. If it is out of the water, the hull should have been power-washed. Below the waterline there should be new antifouling or, at the very least, any patches of bare hull painted over. The topsides should have been cleaned and polished. Below decks should have had a deep spring clean and lockers emptied of clutter and cleaned to give the impression of a spacious interior with lots of living room. The bilge, if not newly painted (a warning sign in its own right), should be sparkling bright without an oil smear or tide line in sight. In short, everything should have been done so that your first impression is, Wow, this is a great-looking boat! and, so the seller hopes, this thought will blind you to any defects it may have. Your job is the look beyond the shine.
Alastair Buchans book, How to Sail on a Budget, is full of money-saving advice on the best way to buy, maintain, sail and enjoy your sailboat. Purchase a copy here at Practical Sailor.
