Buyers guide
click=menu Frequently asked questions Updated: 2006-08-17 Comments
This is the unofficial buyers guide, - a list of what to check when buying a boat.  

 

What to look for when buying..? 

There are a great many things to look for when buying a secondhand boat. Of course there are alle the usual suspects such as engine, shaft, rudder bearings, keel bolts, and so on and so forth. However, - every boat class has its specialities, - including the Aphrodite 101. So, - what are they?

- Crack in the deck around the mast footage.
Due to the pressure applied by the mast on the deck it is sometimes seen that the mast footage is making its way through the deck. This is obviously not good as water will enter the sandwich construction. A boatbuilder can repair such a crack, but is is a matter of rebuilding the deck around the mast.  

- Crack in keel between lead and plastic. 
This crack of up to 1mm  space is often seen on boats older than 10 years. However, it rarely causes any problems. Sailingwise. One could speculate that water would get in the hull and travel inside the plastic to the keel bolts and work its way up into the boat, and indeed some boatbuilders have verified this.

- The rudder should ofcourse be the new model. 
Details on how to check this is found elsewhere on this page.

- The rudder bearing should be sound.
The rudder has been enlarged on most boats, but the bearings are still the originals designed to handle the forces of the smaller rudder, so it is a good idea to check if the bearings are worn out.

- The mast should be the new model.
The old mast is soft. The new is more stable. Details on this elsewhere on this page.

- Blisters can appear aft just around the waterline.
Check to make sure there are no blisters. 

- The front stay fastening in the deck.
On older boats the front stay is held by a wooden bridge located under the deck. Old wood tends to grow soft, so check this, and check the price of the repair at the local boatyard.

- The Floorwood should be sound.
Some of the older boats have Floorwood with a plastic shell and a wooden core. The core may rot over time, - especially on boats where holes have been drilled in the floorwood to enable water to flow to the keelson or to fasten the cabin sole (Danish: Dørk). I am not sure how this can be tested for except by knocking and listening. ( Floorwood. Strange word; I looked it up from the danish word: Bundstokke)   

That's about it. (I think).

Morten, 20031209

 

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