I followed one
family on YT for a while that bought a 2006
Bavaria 46 in Athens. They had problems with the
electrical system as their ex-charter was used to being plugged in every night to a harbour/marina and they now wanted to live on the boat full time off an
anchor. They initially replaced the
battery for new but it died within weeks due to over-discharging. They had to go to a big
lithium battery bank to maintain their PCs/iPads/etc. plus critical loads online.
Not Bavaria specific:
All factory thru-hull fitting and valves
Surface cracks or crazing in the
Gelcoat
Saltwater in the bilges
Engine wet
muffler fittings and
muffler condition and wire chaffing.
HULL AND
DECK
GEL COAT injuries. If possible, check the joints of the
hull and
deck
Fence quality - sealing at the points of attachment (if not tight, there are traces of limescale inside below the place of attachment)
Structural changes of the GEL COAT around the attachment of the extensions
Structural changes of the GEL COAT around the
anchor winch
MAST, BUM, RIG
Mast - signs of oxidation (if they are visible on the outside then the condition on the hidden
parts is even worse)
Suffixes - thickness, when they were replaced, signs of oxidation
Crosses (must be placed horizontally)
Stern extension (changes in the material on the mirror wall)
Forestay
Backstay adjuster (pulley, mechanics, hydraulics)
Condition of suffixes inside, signs of deformation, oxidation,…
Tangun, Wang
SAILS, ROPES
Mainsail (size, tactile use, UV protection)
Genoa (size, touch, UV protection)
The sails remained
Ropes (condition, wear, replacement required, ()
WINCHES
Mainsail winches (classic, ST, company, size, 2 speed)
Winches genoe sails (classic, ST, company, size, 2 speed)
Stoppers, Scots, Trevelers?
Additional winches (spinnaker, genaker)
What
cleats look like - check the places where they are attached
ANCHOR
WINCH
Power, connectors, switches (when serviced, brush replacement), wear of sprocket pulling chain. Where's the fuse?
Chain (length, age, wear, signs of corrosion)
Anchor, model, weight, ..
STEERING MECHANISM!
The handlebars must turn effortlessly, there must be no "play"
Steering bearing condition, signs of damage,…
Water signs - ATTENTION !!!! Inspect the
rudder axis location (signs of cracks !!!!)
The view of the steering mechanism must be OK (pulley or cable condition, flywheel)
BIMINI, SPREYHOOD
Bimini - Workmanship, quality, signs of wear
Spray
hood - workmanship, quality, central window opening for better ventilation? Covers
KEEL
Check the plastic around the
keel and peek with the battery into all the hidden places
Keel bolts (brass - must be visible, RF - signs of rust attention, RF - nuts coated with
epoxy resin and visible signs of rust - even more attention). In the latter case, they probably rust along their entire length (invisible to us). Very expensive exercise !!!
Bilge pump
ENGINE
Number of engine hours - check the engine mounts, shaft mounting or. condition of the tire around the drive heel, check the
oil in the engine /
transmission (if there is an emulsion (presence of
water in the oil) - run away)
Check the V-belts!
(no meter or broken??)
When was the last
service performed (filters,
oil - how much, what qualities)
When was the impeller replaced? Spare impeller !!!!
Signs of
corrosion, oil (head cover
leaks,
head gasket !!!!)
Color deviation (if somewhere other than on the collector then this is a sign of engine overheating)
Check the oil (signs of water in the oil - say goodbye to the
purchase unless this fact is taken into account in the
price of the vessel)
Engine compartment ventilation
Fuel tank - liters, construction material (better INOX)
Test drive - vibrations ?, strange sounds ?,
exhaust - white smoke (burns oil), black smoke (poor combustion), water vapor (clogged engine
cooling system)
ELECTRICITY
Starting (Piece ____ / _________ Ah)
Service ( ____ / ________ Ah)
Battery
charger (shore)
Alternator (power)
Auxiliary energy sources (solar,
wind generator, (.)
Additional
wiring status ("nuts nest"*
?)
Check the lights
WATER
Water tank - liters, construction material (better INOX)
The kitchen
Shower in the stern and bathroom - check the pressure valve, check the operation of the submersible
pump /
shower in the bathroom
Hot water - water
heater ?,
heating method, size in liters?
Water pipes - check the quality and condition of all valves, how they open / close, whether there are two clamps on the pipes (mandatory !!)
INSTRUMENTS
Three data - does everything
work ?, there must be a service
plug !!
Compass (air bubble signs,…)
ChartPloter - which maps does it use?
Autopilot - If installed on the bike, check the condition of the pulley and transmissions
Wind instrument - check if the
wheel is spinning in a light wind!
UNDERWATER PART OF THE DRIVE
When was the oil changed in the fifth drive? Were the oil
seals replaced?
In the case of a shaft, the sealing and sliding bearing, shaft diameter, ever replaced
When was the zinc protector replaced?
Propeller type
ANTIFOULING
When was the last time a sailboat was on a dry
winter berth?
Anti
osmosis coating
Anti fouling coating
MANDATORY AND ACCESSORIES
Auxiliary engine (age,
power, documentation)
Bay boat
Fire extinguisher (condition, expiration date, number,…)
Life jackets
Rockets
Fenders, lifebuoy pod
UNDER THE DECK -
INTERIOR
Wear of
cushions, upholstery, how to open and close doors, visible damage, sealing windows,
There are empty holes from the screws (equipment removed)….
KITCHEN
Refrigerator (capacity,
insulation, compressor)
Stove (everything works, age of gas pipes, ..)
Bow cab
Bed condition
Check all lockers, lights, doors, deck windows
etc...
Also:
Marine Survey 101
I really liked reading this one before my last
survey (has a long section on surveys):
Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual: Including Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair, Sailboat Refinishing, Sailboat