SEA Trial.... What should I look for?

[FOB]

I have my Sea Trial coming up this spring... This is my first Sea Trial with an inboard... It is a Catalina 27 with a Universal M18. What should I be looking for / checking to ensure everything is in working order? I know it kinda sounds like a dumb question, but because it’s my first Sea Trial with an inboard, I was wondering... Thank you!

 

[Timm R]

Dumb question?

I would make sure that it shifts smoothly amd the shifter doesn't hunt or jump around after is is shifted.I would also crawl down in the engine compartment and look at the motor mounts and the packing nut and seals.Are there any leaks from the motor? How is the wiring,fuel lines,filters.Does the starter engabe smoothly?Are there any spare parts?If so do they fit?Go down into the cabin area and listen.If you only listen from the cockpit you may miss something.I usually take my girlfriend as it seems that women have a much more developed sense of hearing.More than once they have heard stuff that I couldn't until later when it really became a problem. Ask the seller as many questions as you want.Questions are free.Listen to the way he answers.He has a financial interest in telling you what you want to hear. Does he hesitate,get defensive,mumble?Does he have paper work to back up the claim that the motor only has 2 hours since a complete rebuild from the crank up?Does he have spare filters? This shows he does his own prevenitive maintenance and that in of itself means that things were taken care of when they were supposed to as opposed to fixing something once it became a problem.Remember you can always spend your money someplace else.Take a neutral third oarty if you can,ex-girlfriend ,mother in law ,your bored out of his tree teenage son.

 

[Bob Todd]

A surveyor

 

[Ross]

With your apparent

lack of mechanical experience you definitely need a surveyor. Or at least an old timer who has been around boats for about a hundred years.

 

[Tim C350 April IV]

Pay Close Attention

It's my opinion that in a Sea Trial, the value is somewhat more in the seeing/learning how to operate the specific boat (bunch of systems) than it is in verifying that the systems actually work. The verifying part will happen naturally as the boat is taken out and put through it's paces. It will be quickly obvious if the boat doesn't go into gear (fwd/rev), smokes a bunch or clatters like a garbage disposal, if the sails are ragged or bagged out, or if the halyards/sheets are usable or junk.In my mind, the more valuable information is watching HOW the owner prepares the boat to leave the slip - opening seacocks, turning on battery systems, what switches he/she uses to preheat and fire up the engine, how they rig and raise the sails, and all of the little things that go into operating the boat.Ask questions, (what's that switch do?) pay attention, listen to the boat. Have the owner show you how they check the oil - and what tools/methods they use to change the oil and filters - might be a clue to how the boat was maintained if they aren't too crisp about the answer.It isn't so much in you trying to go operate the boat - it's in watching how the owner operates the boat and how it reacts.Good Luck!Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[FOB]

Survey was done.

Forgot to mention that I had the boat surveyed. Everything in the engine appears fine, mounts, exhaust and all that fun stuff, no leaks, its clean ect ect. We couldn’t run the motor as it is on the hard...Thanks for everyone’s comments!

 

[BarryL]

more than just engine

Hi,There is more to look at than just the engine (although that's probably the most important). Does the boat have wheel steering? If so, that can be pretty complated as well. Make sure the wheel moves smoothly, that the brake works, etc. I assume that during the survey the quadrant, chain, and that stuff was checked.You also need to check the winches when they have a load on them. Is the motion smooth, or do the winches need to be cleaned and greased (not a bad idea anyway). With the sails up you can test the main sheet, traveler, outhaul, roller furling (if there is one), etc.What about the galley? Is there pressure water, hot water (engine and AC?). What about the head and that operation.The survey and sea trial were the same day when I bought my boat. The broker was present to operate the boat, the owner was out of the picture (relocated to his new boat and was out of the country). The surveyor did a great job checking EVERYTHING, including the engine.Good luck.Barry

 

[Rob]

If you had a surveyor look at it, now its time for

Now its time for a mechanic. Speaking from Hind sight, I would easily pay a few hundred dollars for a mechanic to come with me on the sea trial....look one up in the yellow pages.We bought our boat 4 years ago, had it surveyed,,,,the surveyor was VERY specific about the engine...I AM NOT A MECHANIC,,,,"It is suggested that a competent marine engine specialist perform a complete engine survey should a more inclusive engine analyisis be requirerd"...this was written 3 times on his report to us.....In person he said...thats an engine...and yes it starts.He did however disclose problems with the boat itself that we were able to negotiate with. After settlement we sailed away,,,,, Then Our engine was rebuilt after 2 sails,,, then seized....we ended up repowering after year 1 with the boat...my advice, hire a mechanic to look at it...do an oil analysis, look at the injectors, hoses, belts, sump, ect. It will save you $ and if they find nothing?...Then you have piece of mind. Good Luck!

 

[tom h]

sum it up

1. engine2. transmission.3. sail tracks under use4. halyards (if the surveyer didn't climb the mast)5. winches under stress6. boat motion to suit you.7. any water leaks anywhere8. hull flexing/ anything amiss9. electronics with motor running (static)Then narrow it down to is this the boat I want? Does it feel good?

 

[Jeff]

Dry the bilge

Ask the owner to have the bilge dry befor the sea trial and keep an eye on it when sailing. If I would have had this done on my sea trial I would have discovered a leak while on a starboard tack. Keep in mind that you will get a little water from the stuffing box.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Buy a book

check out chandleries for "How to Buy a Sailboat." There are a few of them, find one you like. You have time to read it, in addition to these very good suggestions above.Stu

 

[FOB]

Marine Mechanic

Hey Rob.. I was thinking the same thing... im going to try and have a Mechanic there the day of the sea trail... Thanks to everyone else that commented... greatly appreciated, made me think of a couple things that I could have missed!

 

[Dave D 94 H26]

Thanks bob

thanks for all the insight Bob Todd, that's what keeps me coming back! (yes, that's sarcasm) Dave

 

[wm]

Listen

Listen to those who suggest having a diesel mechanic on board during the sea trial...I did'nt and it cost me about $3000.00 for repairs after the sale.

 

[jimq26]

Better give Scotty a call eh?

He's always around when launch happens in Bronte.

 

[sailortonyb]

Mechanic

I am also in the process of buying a boat and went thru a sea trial with the broker. I am hiring a surveyor for insurance purposes. He will also have a sea trial and check the engine, although he is not a mechanic. I guess he will be looking for the obvious. What really gave me confidence, was being able to speak to the mechanic that regularly serviced the boat. He was very familiar with the engine. Maybe you are lucky enough that the PO also had regular maintenance with a mechanic.BTW, the tray/pan below the engine was spotless. so i went over it anyway with paper towels , then rechhecked it after the sea trial. In my case it was easy because the pan was clean and so was the engine. When i finally take posession of the boat, i intend to paint the engine white so leaks will show up easier.Hope this helps. And no, I'm not THAT Bob, LOL.

 

[Steve]

M-18

I have the M-18 in a 1986 Newport 28 & owned it for 7 years. It has about 1100 hours on it and runs perfectly, always starts easily and has never failed to start. Things to watch for: 1) make sure the engine is COLD the first time it is started. It should start almost instantly using the glow plugs and after the initial start, there should be no smoke from the exhaust. 2) Check for oil leaks under the engine and transmission by running your hand across the underside of both. 3) After warmup and motoring for about 15 minutes, run the engine at wide open throttle in gear for at least 10 minutes. You should get at least 2600 RPM in gear at WOT.The point here is to see if the cooling system is ok. In Florida summers, mine never gets above 180 degrees at WOT, cruising rpm the temp remains steady at 165 and this engine is fresh water cooled(meaning it has a heat exchanger)If the temp continues to move above 185 at WOT, then something is wrong with the cooling system or it may be overpropped. I read somewhere that cooling problems are the #1 reason for engine failures. The engine is made by Kubota and you can buy parts for it at Kubota dealers, much cheaper than buying from Universal.Hope this helps,Steve