Keel‑to‑Hull Repairs: When Good Lamination Hides a Bad Bolt The Danger of “Over-Lamination” in Hull-to-Keel Repairs: When GRP Thrives but Mechanics Fail A textbook hull-to-keel joint is the ultimate backbone of a sailboat’s safety. Yet, during my marine surveys, I frequently encounter a paradox: structural repairs that are flawless in… Read More »Keel bolts and nuts – Pre purchase survey discover
This short video shows some issues that have come to light during pre-purchase inspections.Osmosis can manifest in various forms, and therefore must be treated in different ways.Osmosis is not an enemy to be feared: you just need to understand it. Out of over 500 inspections we’ve performed on yachts in… Read More »Osmosis video
This weekend, we decided to mark on a map the places we’ve visited over the past two years. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing many interesting boats and meeting lots of boat owners, captains, brokers, and shipyards… We hope the coming years continue in the same vein! Interactive map of… Read More »Where we’ve been over the past two years: nearly 500 surveys!
When I board a boat for a pre-purchase inspection, one of the first things I do is walk the deck. Not a quick stroll, but a systematic walk, with a small plastic hammer in my hand and my ear to the deck. It looks like a quaint ritual, and to… Read More »Soft spots in the deck: the sounding test that few know how to perform properly
The video of the survey for the Azimut 26 meters provides an in-depth look at the inspection conducted at the prestigious Azimut shipyards in Viareggio by SEA Superyacht Experts Alliance. Together with my team, we carried out a thorough inspection on land, having the privilege of examining every detail of… Read More »Azimut 26M survey
Measurement of Paint Thickness on Fiberglass: A Non-Destructive Test to Assess Quality and Condition Painting fiberglass materials is a crucial process in various applications, from boating to industrial sectors. Assessing the state and quality of the paint is not only important from an aesthetic point of view but also essential… Read More »NDT on paintings of fiberglass boat
The Lead Keel: Resilience and Memory of an Impact In the world of sailing, the keel is a fundamental element for the stability and safety of a sailboat. Among the various types of keels, those made of lead offer unique characteristics that deserve to be explored, especially when discussing their… Read More »Lead keel, hidden crash.
The Viking 62 is a blue water fishing boat built in the United States. These boats are designed for offshore fishing, so their engines and systems are not only high-performance but also engineered for maximum reliability. These boats cruise at 30 knots while maintaining incredible comfort. During the inspection, we… Read More »Viking 62 pre purchase survey video
In this short video, I comment on the condition of a boat that collided with a rock at cruising speed. In this case, the system adopted by the boat’s manufacturer ensured that, although the impact was strong, most of the shock was absorbed by the lead. Internally, the backing plate,… Read More »Sailboat hits a rock video report of damage.