For many of us, our house or our boat never looks better than just before we sell it. A deadline motivates us to tackle those long deferred tasks. It is also true that after a while you grow accustomed to various deficiencies, and tend not to see them. A buyer however, tends to look more closely and more critically than the current owner. Whether getting ready to sell your boat or preparing to cruise, you can use this tendency to your advantage. After all, if you would identify and correct deficiencies for someone else, why not do that for yourself?
Here’s my suggestion. Take a pad and a pen and walk away from your boat. When you walk back, imagine that you are a buyer. Make notes on all of the items you see that would concern you as a buyer. Before doing the walk around, create a list of categories so that you approach the process with a game plan. The following list provides a rough outline showing how you might organize your inspection:
- Topsides
Condition of finish – if gel coat, does it need wax?
Evidence of previous repairs
Cosmetic scars
- Cabin/Deck Exterior
Condition of finish
Condition of windows, ports, doors – function and finish
Signs of stress around deck hardware (crazing, flexing, compressed core)
Moisture meter check (have your boat yard provide this service)
- Flybridge
Canvas condition
Electronics and gauges condition
- Exterior Wood
Condition of coatings
Teak decks – condition of bungs
Teak decks – condition of caulking
- Interior Overview
Evidence of leaks from windows and ports – high priority
Condition of soft goods
Cabin sole finish
Headliner stains – indicative of hidden leaks?
- Galley
Appliances condition
- Heads
Overall condition – absence of mildew, fixtures work properly
Absence of odor
- Bilges
Overall condition – cleanliness, standing water
Presence of mold
- Engine Room
Overall condition –clean, organized, well maintaine
- Engines
Overall exterior appearance – leaks, rust, corrosion
Condition of mounts
Condition of all hoses, belts, filters, and wiring
- Genset
Overall exterior appearance – leaks, rust, corrosion
Condition of all hoses, belts, filters, and wiring
- Hoses
General condition – absence of cracks, rust showing from wire reinforcement
Hose clamps free of rust and not distorting hoses
- Seacocks
Free of corrosion
Able to Manipulate
Depending upon your technical knowledge, you can dive much deeper into your systems, including items like bonding wires, stuffing boxes, and batteries. It can be helpful to do the walkthrough with your partner – a fresh pair of eyes helps and you will each tend to focus on different aspects of each area you inspect.
Use the notes to create a list and assign a time frame to each item found. Whether you are selling the boat or getting ready for more cruising, thinking like a buyer will result in a better boat.
Steve Zimmerman is the president of Zimmerman Marine which operates four boat yards in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Steve has been repairing and building boats for almost four decades and in addition to running the yards, he assists boat buyers.
