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A boat can be a rather significant investment. As such, you want to properly vet the boat you are buying to ensure you are getting your money’s worth and that it can handle the body of water you will be using it in. The best way to get a sense of this is to take your prospective boat on a sea trial before purchasing.
As experienced boat and yacht maintenance professionals, we have serviced many boats bought secondhand where the owners did not realize a particular issue. Some, such as painting and fiberglass repairs, can be easy to spot; however, mechanical and electrical problems can be a bit trickier. A boat can look great in water, but as our South Florida boat bottom cleaners and boat hull painting experts in Fort Lauderdale can tell you, it will only tell you part of the story.
What Is a Sea Trial?
A sea trial involves taking the boat you are interested in purchasing on a test ride. Sea trials can be used to test a boat you’ve been eyeing or to check recent repairs or modifications to an existing boat.
General Sea Trial Procedure
During your sea trial, if possible, we recommend taking your boat on the body of water you plan to use it on. You will test out different speeds, maneuvers, and weight capacities. It may be exciting to be on a new boat, which is why it is essential to remember to take notes and don’t forget why you’re there. Some choose to hire a specialist or mechanic during the sea trial to ensure a complete understanding of the product.
Sea trials can last from a few hours to a few days. If you are making a large enough purchase, the seller should have no problem granting you a sea trial to get a total sense of the boat you are buying.
Sea Trial Checklist
We’ve compiled some general features to examine during your sea trial:
- Prior to Driving
- Upholstery
- Exterior Damage
- i.e., paint, flooring, and corrosion
- Electronics
- Check that windows, radio, and other general electronics work
- While Driving
- Steerability
- Speed changes, and maximum speed
- Maneuverability in open water
- Strange noises
- Comfort
Boat Maintenance
We hope your sea trial goes well! Regardless of a successful trial, boats, like all vehicles, require maintenance work. Our professionals at Yacht Management are experts in complete refits and restorations, haul outs and bottom painting, and more! Contact us today for all of your boating and yachting needs.
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A boat can be a rather significant investment. As such, you want to properly vet the boat you are buying to ensure you are getting your money’s worth and that it can handle the body of water you will be using it in. The best way to get a sense of this is to take your prospective boat on a sea trial before purchasing.
As experienced boat and yacht maintenance professionals, we have serviced many boats bought secondhand where the owners did not realize a particular issue. Some, such as painting and fiberglass repairs, can be easy to spot; however, mechanical and electrical problems can be a bit trickier. A boat can look great in water, but as our South Florida boat bottom cleaners and boat hull painting experts in Fort Lauderdale can tell you, it will only tell you part of the story.
What Is a Sea Trial?
A sea trial involves taking the boat you are interested in purchasing on a test ride. Sea trials can be used to test a boat you’ve been eyeing or to check recent repairs or modifications to an existing boat.
General Sea Trial Procedure
During your sea trial, if possible, we recommend taking your boat on the body of water you plan to use it on. You will test out different speeds, maneuvers, and weight capacities. It may be exciting to be on a new boat, which is why it is essential to remember to take notes and don’t forget why you’re there. Some choose to hire a specialist or mechanic during the sea trial to ensure a complete understanding of the product.
Sea trials can last from a few hours to a few days. If you are making a large enough purchase, the seller should have no problem granting you a sea trial to get a total sense of the boat you are buying.
Sea Trial Checklist
We’ve compiled some general features to examine during your sea trial:
- Prior to Driving
- Upholstery
- Exterior Damage
- i.e., paint, flooring, and corrosion
- Electronics
- Check that windows, radio, and other general electronics work
- While Driving
- Steerability
- Speed changes, and maximum speed
- Maneuverability in open water
- Strange noises
- Comfort
Boat Maintenance
We hope your sea trial goes well! Regardless of a successful trial, boats, like all vehicles, require maintenance work. Our professionals at Yacht Management are experts in complete refits and restorations, haul outs and bottom painting, and more! Contact us today for all of your boating and yachting needs.
