The 5-Minute DIY Sailboat Survey: A 15-point inspection to vet potential sailboat purchases!

@boatfools  #sailing #sailboatsforsale #boatsurvey

This is The 5-Minute DIY Sailboat Survey - a 15-Point Inspection that you should be able to whip though in about 5 minutes. This is a top level, simple DIY list that will help you quickly determine if a sailboat is worthy of being on your potential wish list. You've got your budget, your place to moor and store your boat, now you just need your dream machine to make it all come to fruition. You have 5 sailboats within your budget and you don't want to hire a marine surveyor to look at everyone of them. So what do you do? You get out there and start kicking the proverbial wheels, or jack stands, as it were. You have the know-how and this list will keep you focused. Grab a large screwdriver, a notepad, a flashlight, and a camera and get out there! Sailing season is coming right up - don't miss another one!

EXTERIOR:

Check for blisters
Inspect keel joint (if not encapsulated)
Ensure prop shaft isn't loose
Confirm rudder alignment with keel (sight down from behind the rudder toward trailing edge of keel)

ON DECK:

Conduct tap test with screwdriver butt
Assess deck and lazarette cleanliness
Look for excessive crazing and stress cracks around stanchions
Inspect standing rigging (if mast is up, on deck, or near the boat)

BELOW DECK:

Verify engine access and components (oil filter, dipstick, etc.)
Check for excessive staining on sole floor
Examine staining around ports and hatches
Assess cleanliness and odors
Inspect bilge, keel bolts, stringers, and framing
Examine chainplates
Do doors close and latch as they should?

[kylecarscaden]

These videos are so useful, I really enjoy the style of the channel no clickbait BS just good solid info.

[nodogrunner]

Really great job. I would add some things to check but your list is great. Take pictures of everything, open everything you can.

[efrimmayer-aschhoff]

And beautiful boat. Thank you for sharing.

[todddunn]

I would also have checked the rudder bearing to make sure it didn't have any play. One thing that can be a real issue is the batteries. depending on where the batteries are, it can be a big job to replace them. Personally, I would walk from a boat with big batteries (4Dor 8D) because big batteries are HEAVY and really need two people to get them out and back into the boat. Also check the condition of the batteries and the wiring to them.

Unless the rigging is pretty new, you will likely want to replace it within a few years. So I wouldn't sweat the rigging much unless it needs replacing now. If you own a quality tape measure you can easily replace your own standing rigging for a lot less than $5K on a 38' sloop. I see no need for a rigger. Just remove the suspect wires, measure them and order new ones. Easy. I use rigging only down in Fairhaven, MA. They are fast and have great prices. You can even do your own rigging. Jut buy the wire and some mechanical fittings. You will need a hacksaw, tape measure and a couple of wrenches. Once you get build a couple of wires you will have it down and can finish the entire boat in a couple of days. Furlers are a bit more work, but you can easily install a new forestay and furler in a day.

[jeffreyhutchinsdo]

Excellent episode! And very applicable to my situation having just flown from Dallas to Baltimore to arrange to meet a surveyor at a boat I had under contract on the Chesapeake near Annapolis. The survey lasted about 10 min because as soon as he stepped on deck it was soft and rotted and went off the chart on the moisture meter. He didn’t finish the survey and agreed to half price. But that was still $500!! Appreciate you for sharing all your wisdom through experience!

[CharlieStrout]

This is a great video. Also a great punch list of what to look at on my boat every season.

[LearnToSailMexico]

You also want to pay particular attention to keel step or base of compression posts for mast. As well as base of bulkheads looking for delam of tabbing or wood rot.

[agentdouble-osoul]

Why pay a surveyor upfront when you can do the basics yourself, bravo gentlemen. Another brilliant video. I almost made it up to Maine two weeks ago to look at a beautiful wooden. Hopefully I’ll have better weather in the summer.

[markrickel]

Great Video. Will help new to me potential owners from spending money they could be spending fixing the one they do buy.
Only thing I would add is notepad and calculator (or just use your phone). It’s all a numbers game. If you know the value of a boat that is up to snuff for that model and the price of each repair then you have a number for the value to you. Keep in mind to pay yourself some for your time with repairs or look at it as skipper school tuition.

[efrimmayer-aschhoff]

Well, can we all agree to support local craftsmen. Pay them for their expertise and support our local communities.

[patrickfalter]

Good stuff, your Morgan engine compartment looks great. Thanks guys

[rolandlowe]

Great vids with lotsa good tips. Presently searching for a boat. Your vids are very helpful. Keep up the good work. New subscriber here! Cheers from Montreal region.

[WaveformV.]

Great info, thanks guys. New sub here

[TerrenceLCarpenter]

Very informative.👍🏾 I’m subscribed🎉🎊🍾🎈

[eugenio]

I like your name, discussion and comments 👍”a fools advice is often the best advice” my darling Mother 😂

[michroz]

So I understand, basically what you do is as full preliminary survey on your personal amateur level to eliminate the candidates you could see problems with your level of knowledge. Very well done! As soon as every used boat obviously has some problems, you obviously need a rough understanding of a price behind the common types of the problems. Like, how much is to: replace the rudder/steering, replace the engine (or a major rehaul), new rigging, sand fix and paint the hull.

[BigDreamsBoating]

Really great video!!! I always watch but this really stands out also I’m sure it will help someone

[curtischambers]

Nice video, thanks. I am currently looking at boats and this was exactly what I needed to eliminate boats from my list. BTW what was that light you had? I need one!

[AEFisch]

An otherwise nice Cal33, totally worthy of fixing the rudder at the right price. Well made, great sailing machine. But the one stripping a whole bottom back to glass, barrier coat, fairing it and finally paint is a big project I've done. FYI, your engine compartment with no insulation is 3x as loud as one with. The are solid wood cabin soles, and ones of cheap plywood that look similar. The former is just elbow grease to restore. Ports + veneer and trim can be a difficult job to get right and watertight.

[robertscholz]

Great episode as usual. One other item that i would look for that you did not mention with regard to the engine access is the starter motor location, especially on a used boat. The starter is a key component of the engine -- without the starter all of the other components are irrelevant, if you can't start the engine it really does not matter if you have top of the line filtration for the fuel!!! The starter is a wear item that can easily be damaged by water intrusion or insufficient voltage supply (starts with weak battery) -- at some point you will be replacing the starter of every motor. Idea for a follow up episode: What is the price point at which a professional survey becomes worth while? If you are just breaking into boating and your budget is only $10k, do you do your own survey or pay for the professional survey? When the money for the survey might allow you to "buy up" to a better boat, is it still better to spend the money on the survey -- the average boats in this range are Catalina 22, Cal 22, Compac 18, Compac 23, Hunter 23, and Tanzer 22 etc., many of which have very few components that are not repairable by the average person.