Is there a way to test an inboard diesel with the boat up on stands? Do you have to launch it to survey the whole thing properly? Thanks for any insight.
Survey on the Hard
- Thread starter Drew13440
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out of water survey
Its pretty simple . similar to winterizing. disconnect the intake hose from the thru hull. Get a large bucket full of water put the intake in the bucket. have a hose with a shutoff handle on the end start the engine get the water running from the hose into the bucket. You can run the engine as long as you want as long as the intake is drawing from the bucket and the hose is refilling it Bob
Its pretty simple . similar to winterizing. disconnect the intake hose from the thru hull. Get a large bucket full of water put the intake in the bucket. have a hose with a shutoff handle on the end start the engine get the water running from the hose into the bucket. You can run the engine as long as you want as long as the intake is drawing from the bucket and the hose is refilling it Bob
There are all kinds of
engine surveys. While you can certainly do as Bob Fox states, that is run the engine on the hard as long as you have means for it to draw cooling water (and the yard where the boat in allows engines to be run on the hard...), that will not tell you much about the transmission or how the engine performs under a load. Depending on the type of survey, you can also have the engine's compression tested while on the hard, a useful factoid to know. But in the end, I do suggest that you include a full sea trial, under sail and power, as part of the pre-purchase survey. You would be amazed at what turns up once you put the boat in the water....stuff that is hard to replicate on the hard... and stuff you don't want to learn after the boat becomes yours.
engine surveys. While you can certainly do as Bob Fox states, that is run the engine on the hard as long as you have means for it to draw cooling water (and the yard where the boat in allows engines to be run on the hard...), that will not tell you much about the transmission or how the engine performs under a load. Depending on the type of survey, you can also have the engine's compression tested while on the hard, a useful factoid to know. But in the end, I do suggest that you include a full sea trial, under sail and power, as part of the pre-purchase survey. You would be amazed at what turns up once you put the boat in the water....stuff that is hard to replicate on the hard... and stuff you don't want to learn after the boat becomes yours.
You can run an engine with the boat
out of the water and all it proves is that it starts and runs. In order to properly survey the engine, the boat needs to be in the water. A marine diesel engine needs a load for it to show how it performs. You will pay for the survey and the launching of the boat so insist that it be done properly. Make the final purchase contingent on a sea trial. If the owner refuses to have the boat put in the water or to a sea trial walk away from that one. On the other hand if we are talking about an inexpensive deal and you feel you can pretty much tell the condition of the boat and consider yourself a good judge of character and only want to ascertain that the engine runs, then fire it up on the hard and take your risks. If it turns out the hull leaks and the engine has no power you would not loose much.
out of the water and all it proves is that it starts and runs. In order to properly survey the engine, the boat needs to be in the water. A marine diesel engine needs a load for it to show how it performs. You will pay for the survey and the launching of the boat so insist that it be done properly. Make the final purchase contingent on a sea trial. If the owner refuses to have the boat put in the water or to a sea trial walk away from that one. On the other hand if we are talking about an inexpensive deal and you feel you can pretty much tell the condition of the boat and consider yourself a good judge of character and only want to ascertain that the engine runs, then fire it up on the hard and take your risks. If it turns out the hull leaks and the engine has no power you would not loose much.
Sea Trial
I would absolutely make any purchase contingent upon a satisfactory sea trial. If you have been reading this board very long you may remember a problem with a boat that Seadance was looking at. The boat looked pretty good, but when it came time for a sea trial, the engine didn't have enough power to back it out of the slip with a little bit of a tail wind.
I would absolutely make any purchase contingent upon a satisfactory sea trial. If you have been reading this board very long you may remember a problem with a boat that Seadance was looking at. The boat looked pretty good, but when it came time for a sea trial, the engine didn't have enough power to back it out of the slip with a little bit of a tail wind.
RE Consider, would you buy a car without a road
the answer is yes! Good call Ross... You can tell if the boat is in good shape without putting it into the water. You can't tell how the boat sails but you can get an overall look at the boat and systems on the hard. JUST MAKE SURE YOU RUN THE ENGINE AND CHECK THE TRANSMISSION! You should be all right.
the answer is yes! Good call Ross... You can tell if the boat is in good shape without putting it into the water. You can't tell how the boat sails but you can get an overall look at the boat and systems on the hard. JUST MAKE SURE YOU RUN THE ENGINE AND CHECK THE TRANSMISSION! You should be all right.
Expectations
It all depends on what your expectations are, like all in life. If you feel the boat is a really good deal, it is the model boat you want and you are willing to put a little time in for any problems found then on the hard is OK. On the hard you can determine the overall structural integrity of everything and know if the boat is generally sound or not. If the boat is being offered at market value and you have concerns, then a sea trial might be a good idea. Like Captain Ron says, "if its going to happen its going to happen out there". Better to find that out now rather than later, especially if the price does not leave any room for repairs later. It is hard to expect perfection from a used boat, something has to give. I went the first route when I bought my 1971 Ericson 29. I knew there were some problems, including needing a new engine, but really liked the boat and the price was below market. I have happily sailed her 3 years and have slowly been working on what I want fixed. It all depends on what you expect. If you keep it on the hard a professional marine survey would be a minimum.
It all depends on what your expectations are, like all in life. If you feel the boat is a really good deal, it is the model boat you want and you are willing to put a little time in for any problems found then on the hard is OK. On the hard you can determine the overall structural integrity of everything and know if the boat is generally sound or not. If the boat is being offered at market value and you have concerns, then a sea trial might be a good idea. Like Captain Ron says, "if its going to happen its going to happen out there". Better to find that out now rather than later, especially if the price does not leave any room for repairs later. It is hard to expect perfection from a used boat, something has to give. I went the first route when I bought my 1971 Ericson 29. I knew there were some problems, including needing a new engine, but really liked the boat and the price was below market. I have happily sailed her 3 years and have slowly been working on what I want fixed. It all depends on what you expect. If you keep it on the hard a professional marine survey would be a minimum.
Thanks folks
Appreciate the input. Boat's been newly awlgripped and looks great - I am also concerned about what may lurking behind the fancy paint job. To good to be true? Wish I wasn't such a cynic. Sounds to me like the old rule applies - do it right, or don't do it at all. I'll let a pro decide....
Appreciate the input. Boat's been newly awlgripped and looks great - I am also concerned about what may lurking behind the fancy paint job. To good to be true? Wish I wasn't such a cynic. Sounds to me like the old rule applies - do it right, or don't do it at all. I'll let a pro decide....
Survey and Sea-trial
Drew, You should always take part in a sea-trial, you do not need a surveyor for this part, but can pay a bit extra for him to come along, 100-150 often. You and the broker/seller take her out. Check the heat gauge, bring a pyrometer (pick up a cheapie at auto-zone) open the engine bay, sniff around, keep an eye on the exhaust, STAY BUSY DO NOT DO A 'FUNSAIL' oil pressure, noise of engine, temp of heads, exhaust, engine room (not above 120f) and temp of switch panels. The sea-trial is a big part of purchasing a vessel, and should not be missed. As for the 'provisions' part of a purchase agreement contract, the broker is bond by law to (in California) disclose any prior damage, and should help with the agreement, but for sure add subject to: survey, rigging inspection, title search (no liens etc) and anything else that would, in your view, kill the deal.
Drew, You should always take part in a sea-trial, you do not need a surveyor for this part, but can pay a bit extra for him to come along, 100-150 often. You and the broker/seller take her out. Check the heat gauge, bring a pyrometer (pick up a cheapie at auto-zone) open the engine bay, sniff around, keep an eye on the exhaust, STAY BUSY DO NOT DO A 'FUNSAIL' oil pressure, noise of engine, temp of heads, exhaust, engine room (not above 120f) and temp of switch panels. The sea-trial is a big part of purchasing a vessel, and should not be missed. As for the 'provisions' part of a purchase agreement contract, the broker is bond by law to (in California) disclose any prior damage, and should help with the agreement, but for sure add subject to: survey, rigging inspection, title search (no liens etc) and anything else that would, in your view, kill the deal.
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