Big Al...
I don't know about Lancers in particular, but things you should pay attention to on any boat include, but are not limited to;
Standing
rigging. Find out how old it is (hopefully less than 10 years, 15 at the outside), and if its been "tuned", or adjusted, lately.
Running
rigging...halyards and
sheets need to be in good condition and adequately sized for the loads they'll see.
Ground tackle...anchor, chain,
rode,
windlass (if present), and anchor-roller need to be sturdy, and more-than-adequate for the vessel. Don't skimp here.
Through-hulls...sound, no soggy
wood bases. Make sure you know where every one is, and you can get to it. Exercise the handles to make sure each one operates correctly. Keep tapered
wood plugs on hand in event of a failure.
Propeller shaft, and
rudder, glands...ensure that these important glands (where the prop and
rudder shaft exit the hull) have sufficient packing, and are adjusted correctly. Most are designed to allow just a drop or 2 of
water to pass, to lubricate the packing. Too much (too loose), or not enough (too tight) are not good. Make sure the two bolts controlling this are adjusted evenly.
Proper, working,
navigation lights...running, steaming, and
anchor.
Inspect the
helm, and its linkages. Get familiar with the quadrant, how it works, and potential failure modes (and their solutions).
Motor...endless blah blah blah here. At least
monitor oil use,
coolant level (if appropriate), and operating temps. Carry spare raw-water impellers, and know how to replace one.
Batteries...assuming they're lead-acid, check water-level. Only add distilled water.
That's a good starting point. I'm sure I missed lots, but you get the idea. Hopefully the owner can shed light on all of these areas. If he can't, that by itself is something to be wary of...
Enjoy your boat!
John
Linear Mode
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