Pages

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Tips for Successful Second Hand Boat Inspections


When conducting a second hand boat inspection, you will need to check the vessel's overall condition, locate any potential hazards, and inform yourself of any other pertinent safety or operating aspects of the vessel. Making a judgement based on these aspects will lead to your choice of whether to purchase the vessel or not and will guide how you repair or recondition the vessel before use in the water.

Spars
Check with the owner or seller of the vessel you are considering when the spar was last replaced. It should be within the last twenty years for maximum safety. Check the spar for problems, particularly at the deck area where it is subject to the most fatigue and erosion during use.

Bulkhead Tabbing
It is very important to check the bulkhead tabbing on your potential vessel thoroughly so as to establish how watertight the vessel is. In your boat inspection you should look out for any damage to the tabbing, or fibreglass tape, such as gelcoat cracking, peeling or loosening.

Interior
If the vessel you are considering has a furnished interior or any sort of sheltered and protected section, you should examine the inside carefully for comfort, safety and damage. Pay particular attention in your boat inspection to ventilation vents, heaters, tanks, detectors and any mandatory equipment.

Sails
If you are considering a vessel that uses wind power, you will need to either understand rigging and sail fittings already, or hire a trustworthy marine surveyor to aid you. To assess the condition of the vessel you will need to check the mast, step, shrouds, stays, terminal fittings, as well as the operation of the winches.

No comments:

Post a Comment