Hi everyone - Wife here... This is our second survey, two separate boats. The first was a complete can of worms, and we decided to pass on it. We went back to the original boat we first started looking at which was a 2009 Hunter 38 and had a survey and sea trial completed over the past couple days. Ran into some problems and had a few questions for anyone that would like to chime in. It would be appreciated as we have a deposit down, and the bank is all good to go, but I'm a bit hesitant now considering the below...
During the boat being at the dock to power shore both A/C units would shut down flipping a breaker. This was an ongoing thing while at power shore for a couple hours while the boat was being looked over by the surveyor. The seller's reasoning was that it was because it was in a commercial slip where not as much power is supplied, in addition to turning them both on at the same time would cause the breaker to flip.
The windlass was not working either and this was almost first noted by the surveyor. Owner claimed possibly not being used for sometime. It would make the click sound but not engage. Later he stated it would need a relay switch but said we would talk about it on Monday with us. Later that afternoon we spoke via phone, and he said he got it working fiddling with the wires. But we are not 100% sure if this is going to be the fix or if it needs a relay switched as he previously stated.
Prior to leaving the slip for the sea trial, we noticed almost all of the electronics such as wind speed, depth, and autopilot were dead and not working. The main navigation display would come on but would not zero in or do anything else. I have seen all electronics come on a few weeks ago while looking the boat over, but they were not at the time of survey. The seller stated it was likely due to a lightening storm the previous night since it was working the previous afternoon when he went to the boat.
The owner of the boat was not present at this time and we went for the sea trial.. Sails looked brand new.
We returned after the pull out and sea trial but could not figure out why the electronics were still down. After checking fuses, the fuse for the electronics showed it was still good (not blown), but when it was replaced with another fuse, all of the electronics started displaying again, and the main navigation display screen was able to zero.
This actually puzzled the surveyor. The problem is we were back at the dock, paid the surveyor, but still not sure if the electronics are fully working because it wasn't taken back out again to check autopilot, charting, wind speed, depth, etc. The boat had a captain, but he had left too.
The boat looks almost perfect cosmetically, and I mean like brand new, but the issue with the electronics is worrisome. I feel we made a mistake not having the surveyor remain and us going back out and was rushed because a storm was upon us.
We have placed a deposit and the bank is all good to go too, but we are just uncertain and wondering what steps you would take before closing the deal. The owner is anxious to get it sold of course, and the sailboat has been up for sale going on 1 year now. With the electronics going out this could be a simple thing or something more serious.
On a smaller note the surveyor found a 2 inch rip in the Bimini and this is something I didn't even see but he caught it and later texted me a photo. So... this will also need to be fixed. More serious is the a/c going in and out, and all the electronics. I should be getting a full report from the surveyor on a Monday or Tuesday.
What would you do?
During the boat being at the dock to power shore both A/C units would shut down flipping a breaker. This was an ongoing thing while at power shore for a couple hours while the boat was being looked over by the surveyor. The seller's reasoning was that it was because it was in a commercial slip where not as much power is supplied, in addition to turning them both on at the same time would cause the breaker to flip.
The windlass was not working either and this was almost first noted by the surveyor. Owner claimed possibly not being used for sometime. It would make the click sound but not engage. Later he stated it would need a relay switch but said we would talk about it on Monday with us. Later that afternoon we spoke via phone, and he said he got it working fiddling with the wires. But we are not 100% sure if this is going to be the fix or if it needs a relay switched as he previously stated.
Prior to leaving the slip for the sea trial, we noticed almost all of the electronics such as wind speed, depth, and autopilot were dead and not working. The main navigation display would come on but would not zero in or do anything else. I have seen all electronics come on a few weeks ago while looking the boat over, but they were not at the time of survey. The seller stated it was likely due to a lightening storm the previous night since it was working the previous afternoon when he went to the boat.
The owner of the boat was not present at this time and we went for the sea trial.. Sails looked brand new.
We returned after the pull out and sea trial but could not figure out why the electronics were still down. After checking fuses, the fuse for the electronics showed it was still good (not blown), but when it was replaced with another fuse, all of the electronics started displaying again, and the main navigation display screen was able to zero.
This actually puzzled the surveyor. The problem is we were back at the dock, paid the surveyor, but still not sure if the electronics are fully working because it wasn't taken back out again to check autopilot, charting, wind speed, depth, etc. The boat had a captain, but he had left too.
The boat looks almost perfect cosmetically, and I mean like brand new, but the issue with the electronics is worrisome. I feel we made a mistake not having the surveyor remain and us going back out and was rushed because a storm was upon us.
We have placed a deposit and the bank is all good to go too, but we are just uncertain and wondering what steps you would take before closing the deal. The owner is anxious to get it sold of course, and the sailboat has been up for sale going on 1 year now. With the electronics going out this could be a simple thing or something more serious.
On a smaller note the surveyor found a 2 inch rip in the Bimini and this is something I didn't even see but he caught it and later texted me a photo. So... this will also need to be fixed. More serious is the a/c going in and out, and all the electronics. I should be getting a full report from the surveyor on a Monday or Tuesday.
What would you do?