BoatworksToday · video

What this video covers

Prospective boat buyers can perform a comprehensive structural survey of a used vessel by conducting a systematic visual inspection and sounding the hull. Before hiring a professional, buyers should inspect the exterior for color variations indicating past repairs, check stanchions and cleats for movement, and manipulate the rudder and propeller shaft to identify worn bushings or cutlass bearings.6:10 Sounding the hull and deck involves tapping the surface in a 6-to-12-inch grid pattern with a nylon-tipped hammer or the back of a screwdriver to detect delamination or voids.11:33 Follow this with a moisture meter, ensuring the device is calibrated, to quantify dampness in the laminate.12:33 When the boat is on the hard, verify that support stands or cradle bunks align with internal bulkheads to prevent permanent hull deformation, known as oil canning.10:49 Inspect the bilge and interior for detached stringers or ribs, using a camera on a wand to reach obstructed areas.15:52 A thorough DIY inspection provides more specific data than vague professional survey reports.

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