Sea Trial

[watom]

Folks, Thanks for the advice I have come to a price agreement for the 48 Celestial, now the sea trial. What do I expect can I make the seller run all systems including the refrigeration unit the dingy motor the gen set and all electronics. While sailing can and should I expect to sail on all point of sail including how well it sails to weather. How long should a good sea trial take? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by watom

Folks, Thanks for the advice I have come to a price agreement for the 48 Celestial, now the sea trial. What do I expect can I make the seller run all systems including the refrigeration unit the dingy motor the gen set and all electronics. While sailing can and should I expect to sail on all point of sail including how well it sails to weather. How long should a good sea trial take? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

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I presume you have had the boat fully condition surveyed out of the water ? Ie; The surveyor's report satisfactory, covering - hull blisters - rigging - steering system - THE RUDDER etc .

Electical systems clean and tidy - engine room clean , well kept - no oil leaks etc

The ships logs showing work performed and components added or replaced - proper history documented. Did you have a separate engine survey done.

I would have expected the surveyor to have covered systems such as "refrigeration unit the dingy motor the gen set and all electronics". If these were not surveyed then you will need to agree with the sellor that these must operate to your satisfaction.

The sea trial must cover powering out and in under engine - and sail under all points of sail - also if possible anchoring, checking windlass and ground tackle. How long - I guess at least one full day - but obviously this will depend on location and conditions. take lots of notes and pictures - and take your time before you part with a penny.

[watom]

The sea trial is before the survey, If I don't like the way it sails I'm out. A sea trial is free and then if I still want the boat we can go forward with the survey. So I want to see and run all I can before I start plunking down money for the professionals.

[Swagman]

Originally Posted by watom

The sea trial is before the survey, If I don't like the way it sails I'm out. A sea trial is free and then if I still want the boat we can go forward with the survey. So I want to see and run all I can before I start plunking down money for the professionals.

Not sure if this is common in USA but done it in Oz.

Do your sea trial - and if you like it - consider an offer to buy subject to conditional survey.

The condition would be if it fails and you therefore don't buy, the vendor pays the survey.

If it passes and you don't buy, then you pay.

In all events, I'd also ask if anything is faulty and you buy, the cost of repairing it comes off the price.

IMHO this encourages a vendor to have it all shipshape before putting it up for sale.

JOHN

[JeanneP]

Originally Posted by Swagman

Do your sea trial - and if you like it - consider an offer to buy subject to conditional survey.

The condition would be if it fails and you therefore don't buy, the vendor pays the survey.

How would you define "fail"? It's been my experience that a survey covers defects and repair/replacement suggestions for otherwise eminently seaworthy boats. A survey also supposedly establishes a fair market value for the boat. Since there is no such thing as a perfect boat it would seem that "pass" and "fail" would have to be carefully defined.