In this video we are testing the shape of a winch bell. These elements are too often mistakenly used as mooring points. In gales and other extreme events, they are subjected to significant stresses and it happens that the bells become deformed, increasing friction on the bearings due to abnormal… Read More »Maritime survey: checking the bell of a Harken winch with a dial gauge
Getting your bearings while navigating is essential. But it’s even more important knowing exactly where you are. Good news: it is enough to know how to correctly consult the terrestrial coordinate grid, made by meridians (the vertical lines) and parallels (horizontal lines). Meridians Meridians are semicircles that join the earth’s… Read More »Coordinate system and map scales: how to read nautical charts
Design matters, but material also counts: when buying a boat, in addition to technical evaluations, one might also choose to favour a wooden hull, for example, over a metal or fibreglass one. Let’s look at the various types of wooden boats, with their construction techniques, and some of their most… Read More »All about wooden yachts
Did you know that according to the laws of physics the propeller is nothing more than a screw (and that’s why its colloquial name is actually screw)? This small element is a very important source of propulsion, along with the engine. It is made of composite materials or steel or… Read More »Propeller: number of blades and diameter
In appraising a sailboat, analysis of the condition of the nuts and plates supporting the bulbous bow is of paramount importance. Obviously, not all sailboats will have plates that can be inspected, because, for example, due to their construction technique they have been covered with fiberglass and resin. In this… Read More »Bulbous bow and plates – the analysis during a survey
During my career as an Italian marine surveyor, it has happened to me to survey boats struck by lightning. I have to say that it is not very easy: one runs the risk of underestimating the extent of the damage and the components involved, and of not identifying everything that… Read More »Boat struck by lightning: how to appraise it
While already briefly described in this blog, it is necessary to be more detailed about sea trials and about what the surveyor will do. Referred to as “prove in mare” in Italian, they are the set of checks that a ship surveyor will put in place to analyze the condition… Read More »The sea trial during a marine survey
I always try to convey to my clients the need for a good pre-purchase appraisal. Only a good pre-purchase appraisal can describe in as much detail as possible the condition of the boat in all its aspects: Given this premise, although the marine surveyor engages all his attention and all… Read More »What NOT to expect from an appraisal
During the pre-purchase survey of a sailboat it is my practice to also focus on the state of the running rigging. I do that because during the sea trial and with the subsequent mast climb I need to understand the workmanship and condition of the rigging both for sailing and… Read More »Current rigging and deck equipment
Marine surveyors and team working When I face surveys for boats of a certain size or with articulated accessories and installations due to time constraints and working accuracy, I usually prefer team working. That is, at the time of commissioning I assess whether and which professionals to bring in during… Read More »Marine surveyors and team working