We often hear about structural hull inspection during a boat survey, but it’s time to talk about inspection itself: how is it carried out and what tools does it require?
Let’s find it out.
During my inspections whether they are surveys for sailboats or powerboats, the internal inspection of the hull is crucial. I do the inspection as far as possible by following the hull internally from the extreme bow to the extreme stern.
This is primarily a visual inspection to assess the type of construction and any anomalies in it.
Verification of the structures obviously will not be possible where the shipyard has not provided access points to the hull… Even by this we can judge a good builder.
What do I verify?
The condition of the bonding of the handkerchiefs between the hull and bulkheads, the bulkheads by structure and shape and condition of the material, all longitudinal and transverse beams that reinforce the hull.
The counter-mold if the construction technique provides for it, must necessarily be inspected carefully since any deformation or breakage of it indicates to us excessive blows or stresses suffered by the boat.
And for a sailboat, an inspection of the pins and nuts cannot be missed at least for the visible part of the bulb. These are often a nightmare because they are obviously one of the main structures for a boat; certainly the visual inspection of the studs and nuts will not enter the hull but will be limited to a superficial view however, already from this the appraiser will derive through experience an impression of the overall condition of the studs. For the latter there is no instrumentation to date, which is able to overcome the impossibility of visual inspection.
From the structural inspection, repairs or breaks could be detected.
In these cases the appraiser will be able to assess the goodness of the repair or – in case of breakage – to assess the best possible repair.
It is my usual practice to ask the previous owner prior to the appraisal if he or she is aware of any repairs that have been made. This is a preparation for any study of the techniques performed.
A word of advice: if you own a boat and by necessity must have a structural repair done, have it thoroughly documented by the shipyard and do not forget in the invoice to have techniques and materials used specified.
This will be helpful for the future owner and for the appraiser to reassure him or her at the time of purchase; not least it will avoid substantial depreciation of the boat.
There are boats repaired better than they were built!