⛵ SailboatsUSA.com — Free Download
⛵ Used Sailboat Pre-Purchase Survey Checklist
Bring this to every viewing. Items marked 🔴 are deal-breakers without a significant price reduction. Always hire a certified marine surveyor before making an offer.
Boat:
Year:
Asking Price: $
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🚨 The four non-negotiables: keel bolts, through-hulls, standing rigging, and chainplates. If any of these can't be inspected or are in unknown condition, either negotiate a significant price reduction or walk away. These are the items that sink boats.
🔴 Hull, Keel & Critical Structure
- Keel bolts — request access; look for rust staining in bilge sump; rock keel manually🔴 CRITICAL
- All through-hulls — knife blade dezincification test; operate every seacock🔴 CRITICAL
- Chainplates — remove covers; check for rust at deck penetrations🔴 CRITICAL
- Hull-deck joint — inspect rubrail for separation all the way around
- Osmotic blistering below waterline — note location and density
- Keel-hull fairing compound — cracking or separation at base
- Rudder bearing — any side-to-side play?
- Prop shaft / cutlass bearing condition
🔵 Deck, Rig & Sails
- Standing rigging — age documentation; inspect all swage fittings for cracks🔴 CRITICAL
- Full deck tap test — dull thud = wet core requiring repair
- All hatches and portlights — open every one; check seals
- Masthead crane condition — binoculars from deck
- Boom and gooseneck — cracks at high-stress areas
- Sail condition — hoist main and headsail; inspect for UV damage, torn batten pockets
- UV cover on furling headsail — deterioration?
- All deck hardware bedding — black staining around fittings
- Furling system — smooth operation throughout full range
🟡 Engine & Mechanical
- Engine service records — hours, impeller, heat exchanger, oil change history
- Cold start — smooth; no excessive smoke; water from exhaust?
- Transmission — forward, neutral, reverse; no slipping
- Engine mounts — shake engine by hand; should be firm
- Fuel tank — rust / contamination? (diesel should be amber, not dark)
- Engine stringers — press around engine; should feel solid, not spongy
- Raw water discharge while running — visible water?
- Any abnormal vibration under power (sea trial)
🟢 Electrical & Below Deck
- Electrical panel — breakers tripping, corrosion, burned wiring smell?
- Battery bank — age and capacity (replace every 4–6 years)
- Bilge — standing water, oil sheen, rust, mold?
- All navigation lights — test every one
- Head hoses — smell test (permeated hoses = immediate replacement)
- V-berth, quarterberth, salon — mold, water staining, soft wood?
- Holding tank — intact? Properly vented?
- VHF radio, depth sounder, GPS — function test
- Bilge pump — manual and electric (test both)
📋 Notes & Items Flagged
Deferred maintenance estimate: $ Offer price: $
🔍 Hire a surveyor: A certified marine surveyor ($400–$900) is mandatory before making an offer on any boat. Find accredited surveyors at sailboatsusa.com/surveyors.html. Model-specific buying guides with known problems at sailboatsusa.com/buying-guides.html.