Buying Right - A Surveyor’s Perspective

There are some great buys on used boats if you know what to look for. A marine surveyor explains how to evaluate a boat’s systems and performance before making a purchase offer.

The process of buying a used boat is often an emotional experience. It involves considerable risk too, especially for inexperienced buyers. Even experienced boaters can make critical mistakes while boat shopping that cost them time, money and unnecessary stress. Doing your homework beforehand is key to being a happy boat buyer. If you skip the fundamentals, you may regret the day you signed that purchase contract.

As a marine surveyor, I’m amazed by some of the major problems I encounter during pre-purchase surveys, problems that cause the prospective buyer to walk, or even run away from the deal. Problems virtually any prospective buyer can and should discover before making a purchase offer. Unfortunately, many buyers don’t know what to look for; others don’t bother. If you want to avoid the unnecessary delays and expense that accompany multiple surveys, make sure that your marine Buying Right surveyor is not the first person to inject some objectivity into your boat selection.

Getting Your Bearings

Before you go shopping, consider how you plan to use the boat, such as for fishing, water-skiing, racing or cruising, and where you plan to boat, in protected waters, along the coast or offshore. Focus your search on boats designed to suit your performance needs and your budget. Knowing how long you expect to own the boat will help establish an age range for desirable candidates. Typically, the older the boat, the more it will cost you to upgrade and maintain it. If you lack the skills and/or time needed for repairs and normal service maintenance, be sure to consider the cost of having others do this essential work for you. You can’t escape maintenance costs: Either you’ll pay when the work is performed or pay (often more) in depreciated value when you sell the boat.

Compile a list of boats that meet your selection criteria. Then, gather additional information on each of the boats on your list. Use a three-ring notebook or file folders to organize this information for future reference. Read boat reviews, visit manufacturer’s Web sites and contact owners’ associations. A great deal of useful information can be found using Internet search engines. My favorite is www.google.com. Just enter the make and model of boat you’re interested in. You’ll find boat reviews, boats for sale, owners’ associations, boat manufacturers and more.

TAKE A LOOK FIRST Look in the bilge! The rudder stuffing box on this trawler is located below the steering quadrant, visible here at the bottom of the lazarette. A flashlight and mirror will be needed to actually see the stuffing box. Prospective buyers will want to wear loose fitting clothing suitable for climbing into sometimes grimy compartments. This trawler has an elaborate fuel filtering system; detailed labeling is provided to help the operator. Acoustical tiles that line the engine compartment also encloses the fuel tanks, making visual inspection without disassembly impossible. A good flashlight and mirror are essential when checking for exhaust system leaks and deteriorated piping and clamps. According to ABYC standards, each section of exhaust hose should be double clamped.

Photos by Susan Canfield

Know Your Options

Once you’ve developed a list of likely candidates, contact several marine lenders if you expect to finance your purchase. Gather information on loan rates based on a hypothetical example drawn from your list of candidates. Don’t forget to ask for the names of recommended surveyors in your area.

Next, contact the appropriate government agencies to determine government registration or documentation requirements, applicable taxes and fees, and any equipment requirements unique to your intended operating area. Much of this information can be obtained via the Internet.

Contact several marine insurance companies to gather information on rates and policies. When planning to buy a boat under 9m (26’) in length, contact your homeowner’s insurance company for a quote. Many marine insurance companies maintain lists of surveyors whose reports they readily accept. BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com), posts this information on their Web site.

Where will you keep the boat? If needing a slip, call several marinas to obtain a copy of their rate sheet for skilled and unskilled labor, hauling, storage and launching, slip availability and a sample rental contract. If they have a list of recommended surveyors, ask for a copy.

Next, visit several yacht brokerages to assess their professionalism, experience and specialization if applicable. Review the standard purchase agreement of the Yacht Brokers Association of America (ybaa.com). Ask around for the names of recommended surveyors or check online at BoatUS.com.

Both marinas and yacht brokers have a potential conflict of interest when recommending surveyors. If the names they provide differ significantly from those you receive from lenders, underwriters and experienced boatowners, beware.

Honest marina managers and yacht brokers will typically recommend several experienced National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) or Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) affiliated surveyors or other highly regarded non-affiliated surveyors. Contact several of the surveyors recommended to you.

Now, armed with all the information you’ve gathered, calculate the actual cost of buying a boat. Start with the approximate purchase price, applicable taxes and registration fees, and cost of the survey, including a haulout. Estimate your annual expenses including (as applicable) loan payments, insurance, slip rental, maintenance and repairs. Consider setting aside additional money to upgrade the boat after purchase for such items as new electronics, upholstery, etc.

Explore, Examine, Investigate

Your next step is to assemble a basic boat inspection kit that includes a good flashlight, clipboard, paper and pens, and the checklists on page 44. Include a camera and inspection mirror. Here’s where investing in a digital or video camera can be justified.

Start your inspection by looking at the boat as it floats in the water. Does the boat list to port or starboard? Does it float bow or stern down? If blocked ashore, a scum line at or near the waterline will often indicate a boat’s list or trim. Is the hull symmetrical? Is there evidence of grounding or collision damage? If the boat is blocked ashore, note the average size and distribution of any hull blisters.

On boats with inboard engines, grasp the end of the propeller shaft and try to move it up-and-down and from side-to-side. If the shaft rattles, the cutless bearing is worn and needs replacing.

Note the condition of the propeller, and drive casing on outboard- and sterndrivepowered boats. Corrosion, oil leaks and impact damage here are clues to problems. Check rudders for evidence of corrosion and check the rudder stuffing box for evidence of leakage. On sailboats, look for evidence of weeping from the hull-keel joint or keel and rudder moldings.

On deck, look for cracks in the gelcoat. Check the condition of the non-skid. Do the hatches and portlights show evidence of deterioration? Are lifeline stanchions and/or railings secure? Note the condition of all canvas, such as a dodger, bimini, cockpit cover or enclosure.

On sailboats, check the condition of the mast and the mast step. If the mast is stepped on deck, check the condition of the compression post that supports it. Look for deformation and corrosion problems. Check wire shrouds and stays for broken strands and cracked terminal fittings. Is the standing rigging original or have there been replacements? Is the running rigging worn or mildewed? Consider the number and age of sails. Determine the type and general condition of the steering system. Evaluate visibility from the helm.

Moving belowdecks, check for odors (fuel, waste or mildew). Evaluate the boat’s passive and powered ventilation systems. Look for evidence of water intrusion at hatches, portlights and load bearing deck hardware (chainplates, cleats, windlass, etc.). Are fabrics and finishes water stained? Do settee and berth cushions show abnormal wear given the age of the boat? Check the bilges tor standing water, oil, fuel, etc. Examine seacock operation.

Note the external condition of the engine. Look for corrosion and evidence of fuel, oil and water leaks. Ask for a copy of the engine maintenance log. If the boat is in storage ashore, check to see if the oil was changed at layup. Does the engine intake seacock operate? Does the propeller shaft stuffing box (inboard engines) show evidence of leakage? Check the boat’s fuel and exhaust systems for leaks. Is the fuel tank original or a replacement? If necessary, how difficult would it be to replace the fuel tank?

In evaluating the boat’s electrical system, start with the batteries. Are the battery terminals tight and corrosion free? Is wiring throughout the boat generally neat, well supported and protected from chafe (good), or disorganized, dangling in the bilge and replete with wire nuts (a never-do on a boat)? Are all control switches clearly labeled? Does the shorepower connector show evidence of overheating?

Check potable water tanks for evidence of leakage. If necessary, how difficult would it be to replace water tanks? Does the boat have a waste holding tank? If not, does it have a Coast Guard-approved waste treatment system (MSD)? Do the waste system intake and discharge thru-hull seacocks operate? How many bilge pumps are there? If not electric, what fuel does the galley stove use? What type of refrigeration system (if any) is installed? Does the boat have a heating or air conditioning system? And last but not least, what safety equipment is included? Are there Coast Guard approved life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, horn, etc?

Check the DIY Boat Owner editorial archives (www.DIY-Boat.com/archives) for past articles, back issues and CDs containing information on maintenance and service. Check your local bookstore, marine chandler or amazon.com for books on inspecting and/or buying a boat.
-By Susan Canfield

Susan Canfield is a marine surveyor based in the Annapolis, MD, area, and a member of NAMS and SAMS.