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Sailboat Survey Guide – Final Chapter: The Surveyor’s Toolkit & Practical Checklist

ByCaptain Murat

This chapter is the “operational” heart of the series. It’s time to put the theoretical knowledge into practice in the field. Before starting a survey, the first question shouldn’t be “Where do I look?” but “What do I look with?”

This guide consists of two parts:

  1. Preparation: What you need in your bag.
  2. Execution: The step-by-step checklist.

PART 1: THE SURVEYOR’S TOOLKIT (Preparation)

1. Observation & Access

  • High-Power Spotlight: Essential for dark bilges.
  • Inspection Mirror / Endoscope: To see behind engines and under tanks.
  • Digital Camera: To document and reach inaccessible areas.
  • Magnifying Glass: For hairline cracks.

2. Testing Tools

  • Hammers: Small pin hammer for hull sounding; large hammer for keel nuts/valves.
  • Scraper (Tungsten): To remove antifouling without damaging gelcoat.
  • Magnet: To test stainless steel quality.
  • Knife/Chisel: To probe for rot or delamination.

3. Measurement & Recording

  • Moisture Meter: For GRP and wood humidity.
  • Calipers/Tape Measure: For shafts, wires, and defects.
  • Voice Recorder: Vital for taking notes in tight spaces.

4. Safety

  • Dust Mask (P3): Never scrape antifouling without one.
  • Coveralls/Gloves: Protect against chemical waste in bilges.

PART 2: PRACTICAL SURVEY CHECKLIST (Execution)

DISCLAIMER: This list does not replace a professional survey. Its purpose is to filter out “lemons” quickly.

A. ON THE HARD (Hull & Underwater)

1. Hull

  • [ ] Visual Scan: Check for ripples, depressions, or dull patches using grazing light.
  • [ ] Osmosis: Are there blisters below the waterline? (Vinegar smell?).
  • [ ] Impacts: Repair marks on stem or keel bottom?
  • [ ] Propeller: Pink discoloration (dezincification)? Wobble on shaft?
  • [ ] Cutless Bearing: Is there play/clunking when shaking the shaft?
  • [ ] Anodes: Condition? (Passive or depleted?).

2. Keel

  • [ ] “The Smile”: Crack/separation at the front of the keel-hull joint?
  • [ ] Rust Weeping: Rust trails streaming down from the joint?
  • [ ] Wiggle Test: Does the hull flex when the keel is pushed?

3. Rudder

  • [ ] Shake Test: Does blade rotate on stock? Excessive bearing play?
  • [ ] Water Sound: Sloshing sound inside?
  • [ ] Split: Split along the leading edge?

B. DECK & RIGGING

4. Deck Structure

  • [ ] Walk Test: Is the foredeck soft/spongy? (Delamination).
  • [ ] Teak: Visible screw heads? Missing plugs? Debonding caulking?
  • [ ] Stress Cracks: Cracks around cleats/winches?

5. Mast & Rigging

  • [ ] Mast Base: Bubbling/corrosion at the step?
  • [ ] Wires (Meathook Test): Run cloth on terminals. Does it snag?
  • [ ] Turnbuckles: Cracks/bends? Split pins installed?
  • [ ] Stanchions: Do bases move/crack deck when pushed?

C. INTERIOR & STRUCTURAL

6. Bilge & Keel

  • [ ] Keel Bolts: Rusty nuts? Solid backing plates?
  • [ ] Liquid Check: Water in bilge? (Taste/Oil check).
  • [ ] Bulkheads: Tabbing separating/cracked/rotten? Doors close properly?

7. Seacocks

  • [ ] Function: Do ALL valves open/close?
  • [ ] Sound Test: Tap with metal. Ring (solid) or thud (corroded)?
  • [ ] Hoses: Double clamps?

D. SYSTEMS

8. Engine

  • [ ] Cold Start: Immediate start? Smoke color?
  • [ ] Visual: Leaks? Belt condition?
  • [ ] Exhaust Elbow: Rust weeping/paint burn?

9. Electrical & Gas

  • [ ] Batteries: Tied down securely?
  • [ ] Wiring: Organized or “bird’s nest”?
  • [ ] Gas Locker: Overboard drain present?

SERIES CONCLUSION

The goal of a surveyor is to help you distinguish between a “Deal Breaker” and a “Bargaining Chip.”

Fair winds!

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