No, we would get it surveyed, check the
hull,
keel,
rudder,
engine, trans, all of the systems, running
rigging, standing
rigging, etc, etc.
Just had some long time sailing friends, who over the years had owned a couple of sailing vessels, 38 and then a 42 footer. Many, many trips to
catalina, own their own
mooring there, and are quite experienced.
They decided to get of sailing, and purchased a 50 plus foot
power boat, from so called friends a couple of gangways down. Done deal.
Well, so far, after one trip to
Catalina Island from Alimitos Bay, about 26 miles or so, they find that the engines need overall or replacement.
When I talked to them, and they told me the problems, I asked if they had a survey done. "Nope, Those people were our friends. "
Many thousands of dollars , and the loss of a so called friendship.
Owners of sailing vessels would call our sailing club, to put them in
charter, where they get 60% of the revenue and the sailing club gets 40 %. Everyone of them tell us over the
phone how pristine and perfect and no problems what so ever regarding their vessel. Their boat would be the queen of the fleet. " Sail her to our docks and we will check the boat out. "
Well, we inspect them, and they are floating junk, with several different problems .
Again, we all plot our personal courses thru life, and that is how it should be, but in general it is strongly suggested you get a survey, and do a below the
water line inspection, in additions back all that up and check out on your own what to you can, and take the vessel out for a good day of sea trials.
Sight unseen, for any reason, would be a no go for us.
Or , you can take your chances, but I really do not understand not having the boat surveyed and checked out.
Our usual procedure when sailing a vessel from a sailing club, or bareboating internationally, or
skipper a boat that we do not own, it takes us a couple to three hours to go thru that vessel, stem to stern, port to starboard, topsides and below.
I have actually made up a several page check list so that we do not miss anything. We also check off and verify the vessels inventory and every piece of
gear and where it is located. Those are all noted on my check out log.
Sight unseen and no independent survey , no sea trial and no personal inspection , would be a NO DEAL for us.