What to look for when buying

   Are there any general points to look for when buying a seconhand boat please. I am starting to look at non wooden solos and will take someone with me who knows what they are doing before parting with my money, but they will not have the time to look at everything I do so initially I am on my own.
Would appreciate any tips  

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Helen B Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Helen B Report Post Quote Reply Topic: What to look for when buying Posted: 08 Jul 05 at 7:11am
	Are there any general points to look for when buying a seconhand boat please. I am starting to look at non wooden solos and will take someone with me who knows what they are doing before parting with my money, but they will not have the time to look at everything I do so initially I am on my own. Would appreciate any tips
	Never go faster than your gaurdian angel can fly

Granite Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 May 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 476	Post Options Post Reply Quote Granite Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jul 05 at 9:19am
	The general condition, clenliness of the boat gives an important first impresion, Next have a look at the trolly/ trailor does it support the hull evenly if not look for damage where the boat rests on the trolly. Look at bottom of the hull near the transom for chips/scratches from contact with the slipway easily fixed and not normally serious but could be a good barganing point. Check any seams where the various parts of the hull join together i.e. hull to deck side deck to floor looking for cracks or dark staining which could indicate the parts spliting from each other press anywere that is suspect and if water comes out that is a bad sign. Sight along the hull and look for bumps hollows or changes in colouration which may indicate repaired damage. A non wood solo is probably foam sandwich construction and that can suffer from the skin seperating from the foam if there has been an impact, if you see signs of this you can check by taping the area with a coin if there is seperation the sound of the tap will change as you go over the damaged area. Look at the points were all the main fittings attach for cracking and or movement. You may see some small cracks or crazing of the gell coat which is not a problem. anything larger which moves when you push it is more serious The foils should be straight and smooth if they are wooden check for any dark staining from unrepaired damage to the varnish or epoxy coating. Sight along the mast to look for bends or dents especialy at mast gates or fitting attachments The condition of ropes and sails can be used as a barganing point as ropes can be replaced bit by bit relitivly eisily and you can usualy get second hand sails if the ones with the boat are shot. and are less of a problem than a bent mast or damaged hull. The road trailer should not be overlooked as bearings can deteriorate quickly if the trailier is parked near the sea or in long grass the tyres should have at least minimum leagal tread. Important if you are going to take it anywere after deciding to hand over the cash.
	If it doesn't break it's too heavy; if it does it wasn't built right

TonyL Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 28 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Post Options Post Reply Quote TonyL Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 05 at 7:28pm
	The last posting covers most of what to look for. My experience is that finding the "right" boat can be timeconsuming, but there are a few things you can do to reduce wasted effort. Obviously buying from a local club can be a good start as a boats history will tend to be known and viewing is easy. You will probably get a trial sail too. Assuming this isn't successful no doubt you will start to hit class associations, magazines such as Y&Y, boat sales websites, or even Ebay if you are very brave! You're fortunate in that you seem to have narrowed your search down to one class, so doing your homework shouldn't be too tricky in terms of finding out what sort of age/specification/condition you should expect to get for your budget. Perhaps the biggest waste of time and effort is making a long trip to see a boat which turns out not to be what you expect. Getting the seller to send digital pictures can be useful. However, I also think a bit of telephone candour can also be handy - so I always ask some pretty pointed questions about a boats condition prior to setting off for that 200 mile round trip to view!