DIY Boat Evaluation Checklist

Boat evaluation may seem like a daunting task for the uninitiated, but it's actually not impossible if you follow a couple of easy guidelines. Besides having a general idea of the value of a certain class of boat, there are a series of points that are more important than others. Here they are, summed up in a Decalogue:

1) Examine the boat's hull: Examine the hull and carefully and look for any cracks or chips in the gel coat. Look for any evidence of blistering or fading. If the boat it is out of the water, do also look beneath the waterline for recent maintenance work and antifouling.

2) Check the fittings and hatches: Check any deck or hull fittings to ensure that they are in good condition, fit well, function correctly and, where they go the hull, are watertight. Open and close all hatches to see if they're in good working order and that they don't show signs on water ingress inside. If they do, it can mean that they're not watertight. Open and close any/all sea cocks to check that they're easy to operate and are watertight when closed.

3) Check the engine block, including the ancillary systems such as steering. You should of course turn the engine on and try it out. After that, have a look inside and check for oil leaks or for too much smoke in the engine compartment, for eventual cracks on the engine block, and for the state of all the cables and moving parts.

4) Check the radio as well as all the electrical equipment, the batteries, and all switches. Make sure that everything works and is in good order, and that there is no excessive wear and tear.

5) What secrets do the bilges hide? Open up the floorboards to have a look. If you see any signs for oil or water, ask about previous flooding. If the bilges are dirty, maintenance on the boat has probably been haphazard.

6) Now revisit all the external surfaces, from the deck to the inner furnishings, and also all the upholstery. Are there any problems that may result in a lower value of the boat? What is the status of repair of all these items?

7) If there are any wooden parts on the boat, examine them thoroughly as repairs and replacements of these can be quite expensive. Is anything warped by dampness, faded or chipped? Have there been some previous restorations that were badly executed?

8) For sailing boats, check the sails and the rigging . Check that all the sails and rigging (including spares) are in good condition; do not only look for evidence of repairs, but also make sure everything functions easily and flows freely.

9) What accessories will be part of the deal? Make sure to make an inventory of all the extras, and evaluate them to their fair used material price. This could make a serious difference to end value, especially if a lot of electronics are part of the deal.

10) Don't neglect to look at the safety equipment. Not only do you want to ensure that it's present and in good order, but its state of maintenance will shed light on the care that the previous owner put into the boat, which is an important consideration for boat evaluation.