The deposits down on my Mac26M and I'll need to give her a full inspection in a few days time. I've previously owned a power boat and I'm very mechanically minded but I'm as green as they come about sailboats ... But keen to learn
Anyway, you guys are the experts. You have the experience and the knowledge I need right now to ensure this Yacht is in in sound condition. So if you have moment could you please give me your Checklist of what I should be looking for and testing out?.... Maybe this has been done before (in a previous) for the 26M?...If so, please point me in the right direction.
Go to the search box feature (look at top, upper right area of the screen), and type in “should I get a marine survey”. This hopefully will give you some of the thoughts of members of this board.
Good luck, and post your location. If there is anyone nearby, they may be able to help out. Who knows, the person you are purchasing from may be a board member
Yes I second that, it is a huge list. To me the big ticket items are the important one's. Like the engine, sails and haul. I was disappointed to find little blistering on my haul after cleaning the bottom. The general condition of the mast rigging, as in the attachment points and cables that hold the mast up.
If you mecanically inclined then you should be fine looking at "general condition" of everything.....Exciting! good luck! That list is long but they are pretty simple boats and everything is easy to work on
This willl give you a pretty solid overview of what is involved in a marine survey. Some of it is more invovlved than what a Mac would require, but it's a pretty good read.
I agree that Macs are pretty simple boats. So you want to be sure the hull and deck are good, the engine runs well and has been properly maintained, and that the electrical is good. Also, you want to be sure that modifcations were done properly, or at least be comfortable with the state they are in.
You want to get as much information from the owner as possible, you can sort of tell by the person how the boat was maintained.
Good luck with the inspection - be sure to get us some details and pics!
Echoing some of the posts above, it's Sails/Rigging, Engine, and Trailer. Assuming the hull is sound, of course, but that's pretty obvious as there aren't really any hidden structural elements to these hulls. Those three will cost you if not in good shape. Most of the other stuff is small in comparison. Trying to 'fix up' a tired boat will usually cost you way more than buying a boat for more money but that has good sails, rigging, and outboard.
If you're not comfortable with engine work, have an OB mechanic look at it and run a couple of easy tests (like compression). Check the lower unit for water in the gear oil (crack the lower plug and see what color seeps out). Water in the lower is not a deal killer, but I'd want to know why. I had the impeller replaced by the mechanic who surveyed my BF50, and I discovered water in the oil when I changed it as part of winterizing it. After a couple of gear oil changes since then, it's been clean and clear, so I can only guess the mechanic got water in the lower when he split it off to replace the impeller (water passed through that connection, both ways), and he never asked me about changing the gear oil - I would have said yes, of course, but he never asked, and I didn't even think of it.
Oh, and pepperoni is always good. I would also suggest you add a location, typically your home sailing waters or major city (don't need to get too specific).
Tomfoolery wrote:Trying to 'fix up' a tired boat will usually cost you way more than buying a boat for more money but that has good sails, rigging, and outboard.
Two thumbs-up! This is very sound advice. And don't feel pressured to follow through with the purchase if there is something that you don't like or feel uncomfortable about. Made both mistakes thinking I could fix it up easily and get it on the water quickly. Neither happened.
Tomfoolery wrote:Oh, and pepperoni is always good.
engine survey. I presume this may apply other mfg outboards as well. Re: Etec 2006+ can be taken to a dealer and hooked up to their diagnostic computer. You can obtain a printed operating report that will provide the following: total engine hours, maximum rpm, graph/chart of engine rpm vs engine hours, over speed warning, overheat warnings, maximum rpt attained, current oil specifications + more that I cannot recall. My M was two yrs old at the time of purchase, 45 engine hours. The rpm vs engine hours is the real teller of use history. The previous owner was a true sailor and the 99% of the engine hours were under 2500 rpm. This validated statements made by the PO that he only used the engine for docking and cruising at hull speed or less when there was no wind.
Thats pretty much a lot of old technology since 2007 even since then they can pretty much detect a whole lot more than that generally the whole engines total life history , thats why u cannot beat them outa warranty issues they know pretty much of everything that what that engines done !! as they say got ya !!
Crikey wrote:Pull out the daggerboard if you can, and see whether it's sustained any collision damage.
Sorry for this late update. I didn't buy that 26M. The boat was in the water the morning I turned up. Checked it over and found a few things I didn't like. I wanted the check the hull but was told the owner (and his tow car) had gone away for the day. Came back two days later and it was still in the water (Marina). I looked down the daggerboard hole and saw a badly beaten and splinted daggerboard (near the top???) ... No wonder they were reluctant to pull it out of the water!! ..... Crikey you were spot-on.
My next inspection I knew what to look for and I've been really happy with the boat I bought.
