Yacht & Small Craft Pre-Purchase Survey
Typically a pre-purchase structural condition survey would be carried out prior to the purchase of a vessel that is not very old and would include the following key yacht survey elements / activities:
Hull Structure
- GRP Yachts: Moisture testing of hull
- GRP Yachts: Gelcoat examination e.g. identification of stress and collision damage
- Wooden Yachts & Boats: Sounding of planks to identify areas of decay
- Steel Yachts & Boats: Using ultrasonic thickness testing
Plus…
- Inspecting for grounding damage
- Identifying areas of further repair
- Fibreglass delamination
- Distortion of hull
- Examination of internal structure
Keel and Ballast
- Type of keel and materials used
- Examination for signs of movement or grounding damage
- The hull structure in the position of the keel (inspecting for cracks or distortion)
- Inspection of keel bolts and security
Yacht Super Structure
- General inspection of superstructure (e.g. coach roof, deck houses etc)
- Decks, firmness underfoot, possible delamination
- Gelcoat / timber cockpit and cabin coamings condition
- The decks are inspected for signs of distortion particularly in the position of loaded deck fittings
- Examination of hull to deck joint
Stern Gear
Examination of the following aspects of yacht and boat stern gear:
- Propellers (condition, security)
- Shaft alignment
- Cutlass bearings
- P brackets
- Sail drives including; oil sample, diaphragm
- Anodes and cathodic protection
- Stern glands
- Rope cutters
Steering Gear
- Rudders
- Moisture content readings
- Rudder bearings
- Steering systems e.g. hydraulic, wire or tiller
- Steering pedestals
- Emergency steering
- Autopilots
Inspection of Deck Fittings (typically including)
- Chainplates and fastenings
- Cleats and fairleads
- Genoa tracks
- Grab rails
- Stanchions
- Guard wires
- Bow & stern rails
- Bow roller
- Davits
- Windlass
- Winches
- Halyard clutches
- Main sheet track
Examination of Seacocks and Through Hull Fittings
Including:
- Skin fittings
- Seacocks / shut off valves
- Hoses connected to through hull fittings
- Transducer fittings
Windows and hatches
- Windows
- Companionway doors and hatches
- Deck hatches
- Portlights
- Flybridge and cockpit screens
- Identification of Leaks