Boat Evaluation Decalogue For Doing It Yourself
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
By John Howard
It is possible to determine the value of a boat by yourself before buying or selling. Besides having a general idea of the market value for the kind ob vessel, it is fundamental to know what to look for. This ten point checklist tells you about the most important factors that may affect the end price of that boat or yacht:
1) Check the boat's hull first, having the vessel out of the water if at all possible. Take note of any scratches, dents, repairs, or other points of interest that may need extra repairs and reduce the value of the boat.
2) Next, look at hatches and fittings on the superstructure. Ideally, everything should fit well, be watertight, in good condition and not warped by dampness. Any exceptions to this warrant a discount on the total price.
3) Check engine(s), steering & transmission: Check that the steering and throttle control cables are in good condition and that the wheel moves freely (and without squeaking) and that the transmission smooth, from forward, to neutral, to reverse. Check the oil level of the engine and examine the colour and texture of the oil. If it's grainy or gritty, they're possibly tiny slivers of metal that indicate potentially serious mechanical problems. If the oil has a slightly milky appearance, it signifies that there is a water leak into the engine.
4) Check the radio as well as all the electrical equipment, the batteries, and all switches. Make sure that everything works and is in good order, and that there is no excessive wear and tear.
5) What secrets do the bilges hide? Open up the floorboards to have a look. If you see any signs for oil or water, ask about previous flooding. If the bilges are dirty, maintenance on the boat has probably been haphazard.
6) Now revisit all the external surfaces, from the deck to the inner furnishings, and also all the upholstery. Are there any problems that may result in a lower value of the boat? What is the status of repair of all these items?
7) Have another look at the wooden parts of the boat, if any are present. Is there any sign of warping, chipped areas, or damp spots? Is the wood well maintained? This is a difficult and expensive area to repair, and you want to make sure that there won't be too much to do extra.
8) For sailing boats, check the sails and the rigging . Check that all the sails and rigging (including spares) are in good condition; do not only look for evidence of repairs, but also make sure everything functions easily and flows freely.
9) Are any accessories, such as dinghies or navigation electronics, part of the boat evaluation? Don't overlook these as they may make quite a difference on the end price, and provide a basis for extra negotiations and price reduction.
10) Don't neglect to look at the safety equipment. Not only do you want to ensure that it's present and in good order, but its state of maintenance will shed light on the care that the previous owner put into the boat, which is an important consideration for boat evaluation.
1) Check the boat's hull first, having the vessel out of the water if at all possible. Take note of any scratches, dents, repairs, or other points of interest that may need extra repairs and reduce the value of the boat.
2) Next, look at hatches and fittings on the superstructure. Ideally, everything should fit well, be watertight, in good condition and not warped by dampness. Any exceptions to this warrant a discount on the total price.
3) Check engine(s), steering & transmission: Check that the steering and throttle control cables are in good condition and that the wheel moves freely (and without squeaking) and that the transmission smooth, from forward, to neutral, to reverse. Check the oil level of the engine and examine the colour and texture of the oil. If it's grainy or gritty, they're possibly tiny slivers of metal that indicate potentially serious mechanical problems. If the oil has a slightly milky appearance, it signifies that there is a water leak into the engine.
4) Check the radio as well as all the electrical equipment, the batteries, and all switches. Make sure that everything works and is in good order, and that there is no excessive wear and tear.
5) What secrets do the bilges hide? Open up the floorboards to have a look. If you see any signs for oil or water, ask about previous flooding. If the bilges are dirty, maintenance on the boat has probably been haphazard.
6) Now revisit all the external surfaces, from the deck to the inner furnishings, and also all the upholstery. Are there any problems that may result in a lower value of the boat? What is the status of repair of all these items?
7) Have another look at the wooden parts of the boat, if any are present. Is there any sign of warping, chipped areas, or damp spots? Is the wood well maintained? This is a difficult and expensive area to repair, and you want to make sure that there won't be too much to do extra.
8) For sailing boats, check the sails and the rigging . Check that all the sails and rigging (including spares) are in good condition; do not only look for evidence of repairs, but also make sure everything functions easily and flows freely.
9) Are any accessories, such as dinghies or navigation electronics, part of the boat evaluation? Don't overlook these as they may make quite a difference on the end price, and provide a basis for extra negotiations and price reduction.
10) Don't neglect to look at the safety equipment. Not only do you want to ensure that it's present and in good order, but its state of maintenance will shed light on the care that the previous owner put into the boat, which is an important consideration for boat evaluation.
About the Author:
BoatValueWorld.com covers all your boat evaluation needs, with tips and information. Whether you want to sell a boat or buy a yacht, go to the site to find out.
Posted byBertie at 6:27 AM
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