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Pre-Purchase Survey 

This is carried out for the purchaser, and its purpose is to establish the general condition of the yacht in terms of defects, state of wear and tear and maintenance, build quality, and to identify and assess significant past repairs. The survey will cover the yacht’s structure, as well as an inspection and test of all installed electrical, mechanical and static equipment and systems. Internal and external finished surfaces will also be inspected as well as furnishings. The purchaser is welcome to be present for part of the survey, and the written report and recommendations will usually follow by email usually within 3 days. Follow-up advice may be provided through discussion to aid further negotiations and decisions.

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FINDING DEFECTS
& SOLUTIONS

Sailing Yacht Pre-Purchase Survey

The yacht must be out of the water for at least part of the survey. The survey will cover many different aspects of the vessel, some of which will fall under the following headings:

Sailig Yacht
Structural Condition

To establish the structural condition of the hull and deck and the structural attachments such as keel, rig, deck equipment and rudder. Past repairs, significant areas of distortion, age-related problems, osmosis, corrosion, impact and grounding damage, internal structural integrity, surface protection and coatings, teak deck quality and condition.

Steering 

Condition of the rudder and bearings, and rudder support. Steering mechanism, rudder gland, automatic pilot and bow thrusters.

Deck Fitting

Security of the chainplates, and other high load fittings. Inspection and testing of electrical and mechanical deck equipment. Winches, windlasses, sail tracks and leads, cleats and fairleads, ground tackle, rails, means of access.

Tanks

Security of the tanks and their condition. Fuel system and hoses. Fresh water system, pumps and general cleanliness. Holding tank filling and discharge systems, and state of maintenance.

Nav Instruments

Assessment of the navigation equipment and testing, including radio check transmission. Some tests will be restricted if the vessel is not afloat.

Heating And Ventilation 

Testing and inspection of the heating and air conditioning installations, and their state of maintenance. Testing of ventilation equipment.

Sea Trial

A brief sea trial is usually carried out, provided the yacht is available afloat. The yacht may be skippered either by the broker or owner and at the discretion of the owner. The purpose of the sea trial will be to test the engine and stern gear at full power and to check that the running rigging is operating correctly. The principal sails will also be set and viewed.

Keel

Condition of the keel attachment, keel surface condition, distortion, grounding damage, security of ballasting.

Rig

Inspection from the deck, unless safe access is available up the mast. State of wear and tear, furling systems, running rigging, corrosion and mast fittings. Boom and reefing arrangement. Lower end standing rigging inspection.

Surfaces 

Condition of hull and deck surfaces. The keel and rudder, varnish, and metal surfaces.

Safety Equipment 

Assessment of the safety equipment in respect of the service range of the vessel.

Engine

Test starting ashore (unless forbidden by the boatyard) and running if afloat to test the gearbox and engine control functions. Exhaust colour and system, engine mounting, charging system, oil pressure, cooling system and hoses. Fluid leaks.

Installation inspection, state of maintenance, external surfaces, coolant and oil condition and levels, oil sampling analysis. Assessment of general state of wear and tear.

Bilge System

Inspection and testing of bilge pump installations, and the security of their hull outlets/swan necks. Bilge surfaces, state of maintenance, and evidence of ingress of water.

Domestic Equipment

Condition and testing of galley equipment. Toilets, and other domestic equipment.

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Stern Gear

Condition of the propeller, shaft, stern gland, and other items of stern gear. State of galvanic and electrolytic corrosion and protection. Bearing surfaces. Sail drive condition and state of maintenance.

Sails And Covers

Inspection on-board for general wear and tear, stress areas, UV degradation. Condition of covers and spray hood.

Windows And Hatches

Condition and security of the windows hatches and portlights. Water ingress, corrosion and seals. Hatch and window blinds.

Gas Installation

Arrangement of the gas bottle locker and drainage. Gas hoses, pipes and valves.

Electrical And Power

General condition and security of the batteries, and their means of isolation. DC circuit switching, protection and installation. Testing of all installed electrical equipment. Conformity of the navigation lights to international regulations. Installation and circuit protection of A/C shore supply and onboard power systems. Testing of A/C installed equipment (unless power supply is unavailable). Inspection of the generator and its installation, and testing under load if afloat. Condition of powered hydraulic systems, pumps and motors.

Through Hull Fittings

Condition and security of the Skin fittings, state of maintenance of the sea valves. Security and condition of the hose connections and their installation.

Furnishings

Condition, state of wear and tear, and surfaces of the internal furnishings.

Motor Yacht Pre-Purchase Survey

This will normally include a full power sea trial, to assess the condition of the engines and propulsion equipment. The vessel will therefore be inspected both in and out of the water.

Motor Yacht
Structure

To establish the structural condition of the hull, deck and superstructure and the structural attachments. Past repairs, significant areas of distortion, age related problems, osmosis, stress cracks, corrosion, impact, grounding and shore-side support damage, internal structural integrity, surface protection and coatings, teak deck quality and condition.

Surfaces

Condition of hull and deck surfaces. The keel and rudder, varnish, and metal surfaces.

Safety Equipment

Assessment of the safety equipment in respect of the service range of the vessel.

Engine And Sea Trials

Installation inspection, state of maintenance, external surfaces, coolant and oil condition and levels, oil sampling analysis. Assessment of general state of wear and tear. Exhaust system, engine mounts, charging system, oil pressure, cooling system and hoses. Fluid leaks. Full power sea trials to assess engine performance, cooling, vibration, fuel and air induction systems, and general stress test. Gearbox functions and engine control systems. Exhaust colour.

Nav Instruments 

Assessment of the navigation equipment and testing, including radio check transmission. Some tests will be restricted if the vessel is not afloat.

Heating and Ventillation 

Testing and inspection of the heating and air conditioning installations, and their state of maintenance. Testing of ventilation equipment.

Stern Gear

Condition of the propellers, shafts, stern glands, P brackets, rope cutters and other items of stern gear. State of galvanic and electrolytic corrosion and protection. Bearing surfaces. Stern drive condition and state of maintenance. Assessment of shaft vibration, and testing of trim mechanisms.

Deck Fittings

Security of highly loaded fittings. Inspection and testing of electrical and mechanical deck equipment such as windlasses, passerelles, garage doors, transom platforms, and davits. Condition of cleats and fairleads, ground tackle, rails, and means of access. Condition of the deck upholstery canopies and covers.

Gas Installations 

Arrangement of the gas bottle locker and drainage. Gas hoses, pipes and valves.

Oil Analysis

Samples of engine oil will be sent for laboratory analysis, which will indicate current rate of wear of internal surfaces in the engine, as well as ingress of coolant, seawater or poorly filtered air into the engine.

Bilge Analysis

Inspection and testing of bilge pump installations, and the security of their hull outlets/swan necks. Bilge surfaces, state of maintenance, and evidence of ingress of water.

Domestic Equipment

Condition and testing of galley equipment. Toilets, and other domestic equipment.

Furnishings

Condition, state of wear and tear, and surfaces of the internal furnishings.

Steering

Condition of the rudders and bearings, and rudder support. Steering mechanism, rudder gland, automatic pilot, trim tabs, stabilisers and bow and stern thrusters. Testing of equipment on sea trials.

Windows and Hatches

Condition and security of the windows, doors, hatches and portlights. Water ingress, corrosion  and seals. Hatch and window blinds. Testing of electrical/mechanical opening devices

Tanks

Security of the tanks and their condition. Fuel system and hoses. Fresh water system, pumps and general cleanliness. Holding tank filling and discharge systems, and state of maintenance.

Electrical And Power

General condition and security of the batteries, and their means of isolation. Circuit switching, protection and installation. Testing of all installed electrical equipment. Conformity of the navigation lights to international regulations. Installation and circuit protection of A/C shore supply and on board power systems. Testing of A/C installed equipment (unless power supply is unavailable). Inspection of the generator and its installation, and testing under load if afloat. Condition of powered hydraulic systems, pumps and motors.

Through Hull Fittings

Condition and security of the Skin fittings, state of maintenance of the sea valves. Security and condition of the hose connections and their installation.

The Report

The written report will be sent by email to the Purchaser usually within 32 days of the survey. Although the report is the property of the client, it is often helpful to pass a copy to the broker or owner, if the purchase is to be discussed further and re-negotiated. Jim Pritchard may recommend such action and will forward a copy if required.

 

The report will give an account of all inspections that have been made, and the condition found. Defects and their severity will be described, and items of outstanding maintenance will be identified.

 

Against all defects raised, there will follow a recommendation in bold italics, for remedial action required, along with a repair specification if structural repairs are required.

The Report
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Follow Up Advice

Following the report, Jim Pritchard will be available to go through the survey over the phone or at the vessel, and to give further advice with regard to possible negotiations in relation to defects found. He can also provide budget estimates for repairs (always to be confirmed by the contractor) and make recommendations for suitable local repair facilities.

 

Where substantial work may be required, Jim Pritchard can provide an overseeing and documentation service.

Follow up advice
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