Things To Look For When Inspecting a Boat For Potential Purchase

[Jake Easter]

Good afternoon fellow Dixie Sailors,

I'm potentially purchasing a great deal on a 1978 Chrysler (yes, the auto manufacturer) Sandpiper 22, a Halsey Herreschoff design drop-keel cruiser/racer masthead sloop. I have attached pictures (purchase includes original trailer).

Before I make any decisions, I'm obviously going to inspect it in person. I'm curious what you all would look for in terms of determining whether or not a vessel has "good bones" or not. 

Based off of my own research, I've been clued in to look at the keel and keel bolts, the gunwale, and the backstay/chainplates/pulpits for integrity, cracks/damage, or evidence of leakage. Any other suggestions on parts to inspect that would make it a bad purchase or at least raise red flags?

If at all possible, I would like to minimize Catalina 22 bias from any responses ;) I crave a reliable boat, but a unique one as well.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards and full sails,

Jake Easter

'19 DSC Member

Hutchins Com-Pac 16

Cell: 6154991901

[jsimo...@aol.com]

Jake,

 

Lots of things can be checked on any boat.  Just take your time and look at everything. Ask the PO about everything.  Get all the manuals for the boat and accessories.

Check the hull carefully for blisters below the waterline. 

Sound the deck and cockpit for hollow sounds, indicative of voids or separation, especially around any penetrations.

Electric panel looks very new, which is a definite plus.  Get a wiring diagram, as the PO just might have one as a result of this new work.

Does that keel winch apparatus have a manual mode for when the battery is flat?

What is the condition of the trailer bearings?  They should spin easily, and not sound rough.  Bearings are not expensive, unless you get out n the road and have a failure.   

The boat appears to be well-maintained.

 

Jim Simons

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[feetforward]

Jake,

Looks like a wonderful boat and in very good shape for its vintage.

I agree that it is nice to have something other than a while Clorox bottle for a boat.  Yours is really unique.

Jim Simons had lots of good advice.  I'll just add to inspect the trailer closely as well as the boat.  When I went to buy my Precision 23 a couple of years ago, I hired a marine surveyor to examine the boat before I drove to Lake Lanier, GA to buy it.  He did a good job with the boat, but when I got there I noticed the trailer was incredibly rusty.  I told them that was a deal breaker.  I ended up buying just the boat (for a reduced price) and had a new trailer built for it at Sailtrailers in Columbus, GA.

Fair winds and following seas,

Jim

Jim Shepard 990 Garrison Ln Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 703-0100 mobile feetf...@bellsouth.net

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