1. Thoroughly inspect the vessel. Below the
water line,
hull,
deck,
cabin,
mast,
deck fittings, etc. And that is just the beginning.
2, Take it out for a SAILING SEA trial for a few hours, and use all of the various systems,
sails, running rigging, auto pilot, all
electronics,
radio VHF, nav,
engine room,
oil leaks, fluid
leaks, clamps, engine start, again check for leaks, same for tranny, , ease of shifting, etc,
anchor, moused, condition of chain and line
rode,
windlass operation.
3.
Batteries at docks and also when not on
shore power. All
cabin lights, steaming and running and
anchor lights. Add in fresh
water system, all vessel through hulls, and pumps, and
head system, and
holding tank. Ships
compass accurate, check it with your hand bearing
compass.
Stove type,
tanks, operation and
safety.
3. That is just a partial list....when I say check all systems, I really mean everything.....and then if all that goes good , have the boat surveyed.
4 Every boat owner is going to tell you that his vessel is in bristol condition. Many do not even sail their boats and actually are not aware of the true situation.
Might even take a hose and soak down the topsides, main companion way
hatch, deck, all cabin hatches,
portlights, base of the
mast. look for leaks.
Wont
work as good as a rain storm but might give you a clue as to those possible problems.
How about
head room when below, and leg length and comfort of the berths. Condition of setee and berth
cushions, and
cockpit cushions.
Life Jackets up to code, fire extinguishers
current and proper number for length of vessel,
fog whistle, man over board
gear,
dock lines that are plyible, not like
steel ropes.
I am not using a cheat sheet list, this is from memory, and may have missed a few items. Probably more than a few.
Erica owned a
Crealock 37, brand new, and in later years we were partners in a Ericson/Olsen 34...( used), I also instructed and took skippered charters for 25 years when working for various sailing clubs and brokers.
Some with new and some with very used boats , no matter what the owners said, many vessels were in bad shape, lots of problems .
We recently returned from living on
Kauai island for 10 years, bare
boating world wide. No
hawaii sailing' . Or sailing fixes were with moorings, sunsail and conch.
Now , at our new mainland home we joined a sailing club....neat people, boats in horrible condition, and in many cases very inexperienced members. Most times the vessel that we had booked for
Catalina Trips, we were not able to take, some with blown engines,
transmission problems, broken mast, reefing system frozen solid , so we could not run the leach reefing line tight, not even close, huge bag in the foot of the sail.
We are no longer members and are back in partners with the Olsen /
Ericson, that we are taking sailing next week, and also going thru our own 2 the 3 hours boat and systems inspections.
There is a lot that should be taken into consideration before laying out loads of cash for a boat
purchase. Only you and the
surveyor are going to protect you. Buyer be alert.
A
Catalina 27, whew, those older Catalinas, and I have sailed a bunch of them, personally we would try for a more well found vessel . Newer Catalinas are quite nice, we like em. Also , there are thousands of older Catalina lovers out there that are totally happy .
All of the above is just our personal opinion, learned over many, many years and on many many different vessels, sail and
power .
Even with all of that experience, we are
learning amazing things on the Cruiser Forum, lots of highly knowledgeable and experienced people eager to help out.