marinetrader
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 301
As you probably most likely know, I assist numerous clients find and purchase their boats.* I took Mary with me last week so she could go through first hand how I go about inspecting yachts. I previewed a Hatteras trawler for an out of state customer.* I actually perform a mini-survey looking for anything that might be a red flag for a prospective buyer. He had rather find out sooner than later about a boat.
The first thing I did was to give her a good look over on her hull and decks. I used a moisture meter to detect any moisture beneath the gel coat.* I gave her a complete inspection of all the decks searching for anything questionable.* I did not find any soft spots or anything other than she could use a little new paint at the rubrails.
I then began inside the boat, inside the salon to start.* I went throughout the salon looking especially for any evidence of window leaks.* Again I used my moisture meter to peer beneath the surface. I only found one small place that was not active, just a little staining from a past water leak around a window.* I checked the bulkheads, the flooring and the ceiling.* All looked fine.* I lifted the wall to wall carpet to find beautiful teak & holly flooring with a nice high-gloss finish.
I then moved to the galley which was adjacent to the salon and performed the same inspection.* I also checked out the appliances to make sure they were in acceptable condition. The Buyers wife wants a dishwasher inside her trawler but this one did not have one but we did measure to see if one could be installed.
On to the wheelhouse where I once again used my moisture meter to determine whether there were water leak issues.* I also did a cursory inspection of the area to determine the overall shape of the woodwork, electronics etc.* I did not power up the electronics but just gave them a once over for any visible signs of corrosion etc..* I did find a problem with an exterior door where moisture was present within the wood and fiberglass door.* I moved to the flybridge where I inspected the decking, propane locker, dingy and mounts and searched again at the electronics.* You have to look closely at all masts deck-stepped as water can penetrate here.
Back down below in the master stateroom we searched for signs of water damage by the portholes and on the walls.* I checked the rudder posts and water tanks under the bunk to see what condition they were in; good shape actually.* A quick inspection of the shower & head were also done.* Each of the other 3 staterooms and heads were inspected as well, looking for unmistakable red flags.
Last but not least we found ourselves in the engine room.* I searched to see if the engine room itself was clean and whether the bilges were clean.* I also checked to see what condition the fuel tanks were in and what how the engines and generators looked.* All of them seemed to be in good condition.* I also searched at the air conditioning systems for the yacht and found one raw water pump that was leaking but should be a simple repair.
No equipment or systems were run during the inspection, this happens during the survey.* I also checked the shaft stuffing boxes, strainer condition, electrical panels, stabilizer mechanicals, the bonding system and the batteries.
All in all, we looked at a boat in average to above average condition for her age.* She likely needs a a couple of things to get her ship shape but not much.* I can now advise my buyer to go forward with her or go find another boat.
When we returned home, I prepared a report for my buyer in which I passed along all determinations and concerns.* We will look to see whether the purchaser wishes to personally view this trawler or pass on her.
The first thing I did was to give her a good look over on her hull and decks. I used a moisture meter to detect any moisture beneath the gel coat.* I gave her a complete inspection of all the decks searching for anything questionable.* I did not find any soft spots or anything other than she could use a little new paint at the rubrails.
I then began inside the boat, inside the salon to start.* I went throughout the salon looking especially for any evidence of window leaks.* Again I used my moisture meter to peer beneath the surface. I only found one small place that was not active, just a little staining from a past water leak around a window.* I checked the bulkheads, the flooring and the ceiling.* All looked fine.* I lifted the wall to wall carpet to find beautiful teak & holly flooring with a nice high-gloss finish.
I then moved to the galley which was adjacent to the salon and performed the same inspection.* I also checked out the appliances to make sure they were in acceptable condition. The Buyers wife wants a dishwasher inside her trawler but this one did not have one but we did measure to see if one could be installed.
On to the wheelhouse where I once again used my moisture meter to determine whether there were water leak issues.* I also did a cursory inspection of the area to determine the overall shape of the woodwork, electronics etc.* I did not power up the electronics but just gave them a once over for any visible signs of corrosion etc..* I did find a problem with an exterior door where moisture was present within the wood and fiberglass door.* I moved to the flybridge where I inspected the decking, propane locker, dingy and mounts and searched again at the electronics.* You have to look closely at all masts deck-stepped as water can penetrate here.
Back down below in the master stateroom we searched for signs of water damage by the portholes and on the walls.* I checked the rudder posts and water tanks under the bunk to see what condition they were in; good shape actually.* A quick inspection of the shower & head were also done.* Each of the other 3 staterooms and heads were inspected as well, looking for unmistakable red flags.
Last but not least we found ourselves in the engine room.* I searched to see if the engine room itself was clean and whether the bilges were clean.* I also checked to see what condition the fuel tanks were in and what how the engines and generators looked.* All of them seemed to be in good condition.* I also searched at the air conditioning systems for the yacht and found one raw water pump that was leaking but should be a simple repair.
No equipment or systems were run during the inspection, this happens during the survey.* I also checked the shaft stuffing boxes, strainer condition, electrical panels, stabilizer mechanicals, the bonding system and the batteries.
All in all, we looked at a boat in average to above average condition for her age.* She likely needs a a couple of things to get her ship shape but not much.* I can now advise my buyer to go forward with her or go find another boat.
When we returned home, I prepared a report for my buyer in which I passed along all determinations and concerns.* We will look to see whether the purchaser wishes to personally view this trawler or pass on her.