When considering whether to independently determine the value of a boat before buying or selling, you may find the following evaluation checklist of help.
We also suggest that you do this appraisal together with a friend as four eyes see better than two.
You can use this checklist when looking at the vessel, to help you examine the condition of the boat, and to spot repairs or improvements that may be necessary to take into account before settling on a final price.
1) Examine the boat's hull: Examine the hull and carefully and look for any cracks or chips in the gel coat.
Look for any evidence of blistering or fading.
If the boat it is out of the water, do also look beneath the waterline for recent maintenance work and antifouling.
2) Check the fittings and hatches: Check any deck or hull fittings to ensure that they are in good condition, fit well, function correctly and, where they go the hull, are watertight.
Open and close all hatches to see if they're in good working order and that they don't show signs on water ingress inside.
If they do, it can mean that they're not watertight.
Open and close any/all sea cocks to check that they're easy to operate and are watertight when closed.
3) Check the engine block, including the ancillary systems such as steering.
You should of course turn the engine on and try it out.
After that, have a look inside and check for oil leaks or for too much smoke in the engine compartment, for eventual cracks on the engine block, and for the state of all the cables and moving parts.
4) Test electrics & switches: Test anything that has a switch or a handle, to see that they function correctly, in particular navigation lights, horn, bilge pumps, internal lights, winches, heating, generator, cooking facilities, taps, toilets.
Also check all electrical cabling, looking for any signs of repair, temporary fixes, rust and loose connections.
5) What secrets do the bilges hide? Open up the floorboards to have a look.
If you see any signs for oil or water, ask about previous flooding.
If the bilges are dirty, maintenance on the boat has probably been haphazard.
6) Look at all the external surfaces, such as the deck, the upholstery, and the wood on the superstructure.
If the boat is used some signs of consumption are normal, but have a keen eye for over-use.
Even if this point may just seem cosmetic, it could have a major effect on the negotiation of the value of the boats, so don't neglect it.
7) What condition is the woodwork in? You should especially be on the outlook for any damp spots; in general these are darker than the surrounding wood and will be soft to touch.
Do also check for warped, chipped and loose woodwork.
8) If it's a sailing boat that you are looking at, check the mast(s), sails and rigging.
Don't forget to look at the spare sails, and don't just content yourself with a cursory look - take everything out of its sacks, and don't forget to check all seams.
9) Are accessories included? If yes, what equipment is on board? Check whether accessories and other equipment are part of the deal.
The new owner is going to need them anyway, so it's usually of advantage to both parties to include them (unless the seller needs them for another boat).
10) Don't neglect to look at the safety equipment.
Not only do you want to ensure that it's present and in good order, but its state of maintenance will shed light on the care that the previous owner put into the boat, which is an important consideration for boat evaluation.
We also suggest that you do this appraisal together with a friend as four eyes see better than two.
You can use this checklist when looking at the vessel, to help you examine the condition of the boat, and to spot repairs or improvements that may be necessary to take into account before settling on a final price.
1) Examine the boat's hull: Examine the hull and carefully and look for any cracks or chips in the gel coat.
Look for any evidence of blistering or fading.
If the boat it is out of the water, do also look beneath the waterline for recent maintenance work and antifouling.
2) Check the fittings and hatches: Check any deck or hull fittings to ensure that they are in good condition, fit well, function correctly and, where they go the hull, are watertight.
Open and close all hatches to see if they're in good working order and that they don't show signs on water ingress inside.
If they do, it can mean that they're not watertight.
Open and close any/all sea cocks to check that they're easy to operate and are watertight when closed.
3) Check the engine block, including the ancillary systems such as steering.
You should of course turn the engine on and try it out.
After that, have a look inside and check for oil leaks or for too much smoke in the engine compartment, for eventual cracks on the engine block, and for the state of all the cables and moving parts.
4) Test electrics & switches: Test anything that has a switch or a handle, to see that they function correctly, in particular navigation lights, horn, bilge pumps, internal lights, winches, heating, generator, cooking facilities, taps, toilets.
Also check all electrical cabling, looking for any signs of repair, temporary fixes, rust and loose connections.
5) What secrets do the bilges hide? Open up the floorboards to have a look.
If you see any signs for oil or water, ask about previous flooding.
If the bilges are dirty, maintenance on the boat has probably been haphazard.
6) Look at all the external surfaces, such as the deck, the upholstery, and the wood on the superstructure.
If the boat is used some signs of consumption are normal, but have a keen eye for over-use.
Even if this point may just seem cosmetic, it could have a major effect on the negotiation of the value of the boats, so don't neglect it.
7) What condition is the woodwork in? You should especially be on the outlook for any damp spots; in general these are darker than the surrounding wood and will be soft to touch.
Do also check for warped, chipped and loose woodwork.
8) If it's a sailing boat that you are looking at, check the mast(s), sails and rigging.
Don't forget to look at the spare sails, and don't just content yourself with a cursory look - take everything out of its sacks, and don't forget to check all seams.
9) Are accessories included? If yes, what equipment is on board? Check whether accessories and other equipment are part of the deal.
The new owner is going to need them anyway, so it's usually of advantage to both parties to include them (unless the seller needs them for another boat).
10) Don't neglect to look at the safety equipment.
Not only do you want to ensure that it's present and in good order, but its state of maintenance will shed light on the care that the previous owner put into the boat, which is an important consideration for boat evaluation.
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