Boat Survey Faults Found

The following are two examples of faults found during 2 boat surveys. They are not exceptional but rather representative of faults found and expensive mistakes lurking around the corner. Please note this is not a report only a list of faults found to be included in the report.

Faults Found Example 1.

The first is a Birchwood TS 37 [1988] actual survey carried out in 2005. First appearances were of a quite good looking boat that was highly polished, clean and attractive. Our client fell in love and only needed a hull survey for finance and insurance purposes. We suggested a pre-purchase survey may be wiser and most probably it would be a requirement of finance and reputable insurance companies. After a couple of telephone calls made by my client, a full pre-purchase survey was requested.

The survey was completed and the following is a list of faults found:

1. Epoxy resin applied over the antifouling.

2. Small repairs to hull.

3. Stress cracking to hull.

4. Chipping to starboard propeller.

5. Electrolysis to both propellers.

6. Starboard propeller shaft is bent.

7. Cutlass bearings worn to excess.

8. Port stern gland requires repacking.

9. Most of the stanchions bases were lose and leaking,

10. Various area’s of stress cracking to decks and superstructure.

11. Forward cabin walls mildewed.

12. Drawer to bed damaged.

13. Forward head toilet top seal leaking.

14. Cupboard above galley has bent and corroded hinge.

15. Light above helm not working.

16. Aft cabin roof lining detaching plus a drawer catch broken.

17. Aft head toilet top seal leaking.

18. Flybridge screen broken.

19. Areas around upper helm steering broken.

20. Most of windows leaked.

21. Screen wash not functioning plus one wiper blade.

22. Autopilot not functioning.

23. Horn not functioning.

24. Water gauge not functioning.

25. Garmin GPS not functioning.

26. All four batteries require replacement.

27. Circuit breakers to engine broken plus some wiring damaged.

28. Fuel tanks corroded starboard leaking.

29. Steering upper helm stiff.

30. Three sea cocks require replacement a fourth requires capping.

31. Holding tank has been removed pipes left in situation.

32. All fire extinguishers out of charge.

33. 3kw element in emersion heater to large requires replacement.

34. Starboard gearbox has bearing noise.

A short sea trial (always recommended) to finish the list.

The engines started relatively easily covering the water in the marina with unburned diesel so a quick exit was made revealing neither engine had thermostats fitted.

The port engine would not rev more than1800rpm and cut out frequently, the starboard engine almost reached its full potential but the coolant boiled and the oil pressure almost disappeared.

The boat was coaxed back to its moorings as no further engine tests were required …..

Faults Found Example 2.

The second example is Sealine S34 manufactured in 2005. It only had 160 engine hours and we performed a pre-purchase survey October 2007. What should have been a pristine example was not.

The survey was completed and the following is a list of faults found:

1. Damage to starboard rubbing strake .

2. Starboard windscreen wiper motor not functioning.

3. Drawer runner and catch to bedroom broken.

4. Water level indicator not functioning.

5. Carpets detaching one piece missing.

6. Engine room light not working.

7. Raw water leak from starboard engine .

8. Port alternator heavily corroded.

9. Water ingress via bathing platform.

10. Water leak at canopy fittings.

11. Stress cracking in engine bay.

12. Damage to hull below water line and four small poorly repaired areas.

13. Port engine not producing correct power output.

14. Stress cracking to anchor locker.

15. Insufficient fire extinguishers.

These faults, whilst not serious enough to walk away from the deal, gave our client negotiating power. They not unreasonably wanted some of the faults fixed or a discount on the price. Our boat surveys pay for themselves on most occasions.

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