Used boat inspection questions

[Chilidog]

Hi All. A new poster here with all the same usual questions. I am looking to upsize from a waterlogged sunfish to a bigger boat. I want something bigger to be able to take my wife and son out in, in the day sailor size range. Due to vehicle and storage limitations (for now at least) I am looking for an 16 or 18 footer.

One of the dealer/ brokers near me has a ’93 fin keel Capri 16 available with a trailer and motor for a reasonable price.

I havn’t gone to look at it yet, what should I look at when I do? I’m assuming that the paperwork is in order for the boat and the trailer.

Any “checklist” type points to look at?

I’m a fairly handy person so I have no doubt that I can do any minor repairs / repainting myself. I just don’t want to wind up spending as much as a new boat trying to fix up an old one.

The other issue that I have to think about is whether I should wait until October to see what is available at the end of the season.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Buy and read a copy of Don Casey's book "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat." Well worth the cost. Good luck with the boat.

 

[kloudie1]

Take a very close look at the expensive stuff.. standing and running rigging and the mast and boom themselves.. Look particularly at the end terminals of the shrouds and stays check for rust staining and cracks in the swedges at the ends and turnbuckles. Look at the wires for broken strands..a thick rag wrapped around your hand and run up and down while you feel for "meathooks". Check the pulleys at the mast top and boom ends for wear and freeness. sight along the mast and boom from each end, in turn, for straightness, twist and dings..Check the spreaders for straightness and security of mounting. Check the rudder and its hinges and structure for cracks.. and warps. Check the keel-to-hull joint for cracks .. Sight along the hull from each end for "fairness" .. nice rounded curves and no dings or dents from the trailer bunks.. Check the deck and cabin top for soft spots.. Chainplates for cracks and security of mounting.. Outboard bracket for operation and security of mounting.. Test sail the boat with the outboard .. make sure the outboard starts and shifts and runs at all speeds..
WHEW..

 

[sinnettc]

The Capri 16 is the little one with the cabin? Saw one recently on our lake. Looks like a mini-me of a Capri 22.

As suggested regarding soft spots, be sure to look inside for signs of water/rot under all through deck and hull fittings and inside the boat. There was a bit of water in our stern bilge, behind the bunks and I didn't know/think to dig deeper. After we bought Verboten I found a bad spot under a stanchion that had been leaking for a while, the motor mount was loose, and one of the cockpit drains was damaged/leaking.

I also had to replace my lower shrouds last year because a strand broke at the bottom swaged fitting on the starboard side. Same thing happened to at least one other 2001 Capri 22 so I'm thinking a few bad ones got shipped.

If the Capri 16 doesn't work out and you're just looking for a fun daysailor take a look at the Capri 16.5. That's what we had before the Capri 22 and it's a blast. We had the centerboard version but there is a keel version too. Can't sleep in the cuddy like the Capri 16 but you can cram a lot of gear up there!

 

[iggy]

If you go to www.sailingmates.com then click on the Downloads tab there is a Used Sailboat Buying Manual. They ask for your first name & primary email but to date I have not received any unsolicited emails [which is good]. It covers the following areas over some 17 pages of info.

So you want to buy a sailboat?
8 questions you need to answer
Deal busters or not?
Your action plan
Your initial inspection
Your preliminary on-water survey
Keel bolts
Water and fuel tanks
Engine
Deck
Internal layout
Mast and standing rigging
Electrical installation
Seacocks
Toilet
Doors and furniture
Toerail and deck fittings
Cracked gelcoat
Internal leaks
Your preliminary dry survey
Hull fairness
Thru-hull fittings
Hull - keel joint
Osmosis
Water leaks
Losse rudder or prop shaft
Hiring a marine surveyor
Costs of a marine survey
On-line sailboat resources

At leadt this might be a good place to start that confusing selection process

 

[Mario G]

If you want to move up to a C-22 that your family would be able to spend the weekends on the lake let me know.