SAILBOAT BUYING TIPS from a Surveyor - Part 3! Decks, Chainplates & More

[@jamespowers6099]

These surveyor videos are really my favorite to watch. Feel like I just sit here taking notes! Thanks for the incredible information

[@YachtHunters]

Awesome, thank you!

[@marktheurer00]

@@YachtHunters Yes, more of these types of videos, I'm sure this topic is endless. Keep them coming! Thanks!

[@harbourdogNL]

Jim Dias, I hope this will be the impetus for your own YT channel. It would be immensely popular, not a doubt about it, and of benefit to all of us. (Viewers, please 'thumbs up' this comment if you agree!!)

[@ratandmonkey2982]

Randay plays a big part in putting this together with his questions and video editing skills. I'm happy for Jim to be part of CQYH.

[@YachtHunters]

That’s very kind of both of you. Jim is coming back! He’s a busy guy and just did after some time away he just did a delivery to FL with his main squeeze (a first time sailor) and he’s back in and we’re hoping to continue the series this spring. Thanks so much!

[@harbourdogNL]

Great news!!@@YachtHunters

[@chrisecorr]

Great video great info

[@Useless_Knowledge07]

Yes Sir, These surveyor videos are definitely library worthy! Thank you both!!

[@YachtHunters]

Much appreciated. Jim is coming back this spring after some time away from New England … we’re lucky to have him on the calendar

[@tomcraddock244]

He’s a great resource of information and the two of you are making a great series.thanks Rannnday. Hope all is well with the Captain! Fair winds ⛵️

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks, you too!

[@Nozzall]

I really like the tip about checking to see how organized and orderly the boat is. I have done a lot of buying of used cars and one of the first things I look at is the condition of the interior because if they couldn't be bothered to vacuum the car then it is unlikely they did regular maintenance like oil changes.

[@YachtHunters]

agreed... the interior of a car is reflective about the care of ownership.... boats are even more extreme examples....it's a great indicator

[@trailsandsails2722]

I bought one of those moisture meters after watching your video when Jim was using it on a hull. Not cheap but a great detective for helping me solve leaks into the cabin from deck hardware. Thanks, guys! Dean

[@YachtHunters]

they are a little pricey but can save you a lot of time and hassle for sure. best of luck!

[@svsalserenity4375]

This a great series , keep it up , 🤩

[@allabout4019]

I agree, really appreciate these boat buying tips. Thank you.

[@ratandmonkey2982]

How frequently should one rebed their deck fittings (mast, chainplates, hinges, windlass, stanchions, ....) so that one's boat doesn't end up like the one in the video ?

[@wardmacintyre1797]

Thank you Randay and Jim. When it’s time for me to start looking I’ll be rewatching this series. This is invaluable and well presented information. The details really help those with little experience to understand not just what to look for but what caused the problems and why it’s important. Thank you, Hope to see the captain soon.

[@Bikelessmanklr650]

Good ladder safety...im actually waiting for back surgery due to falling from a ladder that slipped while working on my sailboat. 😢

[@mountainmandale1587]

I hope you do okay.

[@philipmayo4865]

Here's wishing you have a safe surgery and healing completely very soon.

[@kevinvoisine1922]

Good luck Brother

[@danielbateman6518]

I love this series so much. Never owned a boat, but would love to eventually and when I do I'll be on a tight budget. These videos are educating me so well on boats to walk away from, or at least be aware of how much work is needed to get it truly seaworthy.

[@LoganJohnson-lm2bh]

As a guy who has been around boats most of my life and as a trucker who moved hundreds of them ,sail and power new and used ,I find this series of videos most interesting .and this episode especially .Thank you Ran-Day and Mr Dias for such a comprehensive and easily understood explanation of what you are doing and why .

[@jeffadams7134]

Hello Randy I hate to tell you that the moisture meters are VERY innacurate on fiberglass boats, especially on bottom painted hulls. As a classic boat restorer, the meters work on wooden hulls. Trumpy, Stevens, Huckins etc. I have opended up many fiberglass hulls that have failed moisture tests to find that there were NO issues with the lamination. Unless you have visible blistering at gelcoat level or below, I don't trust the meters. I blasted the hull of a Hinckley Bermuda 40 to find no blistering at gelcoat level or below. The blisters were in the bottom paint layers!!!

[@iverburl]

Is this inaccuracy mostly on the hull (bottom), or are you also concerned about deck measurements as they discuss in this video?

[@jeffadams7134]

The deck measurements as well. The meters are prone to FALSE positive readings. They work very well on wooden boats, but not on fiberglass. There are some infrared meters that I am not familiar with that report to have accurate readings on fiberglass moisture content. I am surprised that you were the only person responding to my comment. I have clients that have spent tens of thousand dollars to remedy a surveyors report to find out that there was no problem. The best way for checking for moisture is to take a core sample " biopsy" and check for moisture. I have been doing classic boat restorations for only 45 years. So what do I know? My two cents.

[@conradlogan5201]

Just plain fun learning! Thanks

[@saxophool]

Between the spongy decks this week and the surprisingly (to me) expensive sails last week, I decided that van life makes more sense for me. Thanks, Randay! 😎

[@YachtHunters]

#vanlife is great too...as a former Sprinter owner. Lots of fun to be had out on the roads. If you get the itch to drive where there are no stop lights, sails can last 20 years if cared for well... so hopefully I can amortize that so that it ends up being a rather inexpensive investment over the long haul... cheers, Sax

[@allanweidner6780]

the most helpful advice I have ever encountered.

[@dennisfromoz6436]

Gosh ! So damned scary for the unknowing....Jim is a straight shooter . Well done guys for presenting . Cheers

[@VonBluesman]

Surveyors like Jim and Sea Dog are worth their weight in gold, just ask Captain Q and Ran Day. 👍😎✌️

[@jbrizzysf]

Great vid! Would be cool to see Jim look at a boat with a teak deck

[@bendaves77]

That teal sailboat next to you is quite the modern beauty..its crazy how much boat design has changed in the past few decades

[@danielsondavidf]

I wondered about Jim’s recommendation for appropriate steps and suitable materials to repair smaller areas with core moisture.

[@seanrhone5306]

Hoping Capt Q is okay!

[@mikebondarczuk5892]

Excellent content put in an easily understood manner, and I am from the UK

[@stevenmulkey3572]

thank you for all this great info. ive lived in Albq, New Mexico all my life, (52 yrs young now) and met my wife 2 yrs ago while she was working there temperalily (shes a travel nurse). when she had to take a job in cocoa beach (and shes from florida and all her family is here) i decided to retire from my job of 20yrs and follow. i am in love with the ocean and my wife and i both want to live in a boat full time. so ive been searching and was just about to blindly buy when i stumbled across your channel, needless to say, you just saved me thousands, and i see i have alot to learn still. but we are absoulutly going to get that boat eventualy, but thanks to you we will make an informed desicion. thx again. keep up the great work. steve.

[@beverlyaslett7871]

I’m missing captain Q terribly but Ran-day this is great content for us arm chair dreamers who might just turn that dream into a reality. That’s me. I haven’t given up my dream so this is critical info to understand. If I can spot these deal breakers before and save my surveyor for a more detailed look. Well done Ran-day.

[@YachtHunters]

Thank you Beverly I miss you as well :-)

[@CurtisWestsail]

Great series. So informative. Thanks for sharing

[@DCGULL01]

Speechless (rare?) Humble gratitude for BOTH you & Jim. Nuff said.

[@YachtHunters]

Wow, thank you!

[@davecoleman6855]

Once again excellent items to be aware of before the surveyor arrives or even avoiding the need for a surveyor. Another excellent video - well done.

[@michaelphilip3919]

I overpaid for a 1968 Hughes a couple years ago because it was the hull I have always wanted. Became severely handicapped 6 months ago and am now quite worried. This series of episodes are a great help for me. Thanks

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

Think this is great information to help people do a better inspection prior to hiring a surveyor.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks very much CA!

[@yowatup9329]

Yo! Thank you!! Your channel is the only one that I know helps us new sailors.

[@YachtHunters]

Happy to hear that! Fair winds to all the new sailors out there!

[@christiancowley]

Great episode. Jim's explanations are top-notch.

[@Gladtobeleaving]

Randay, do you think, in retrospect, that you were more entranced by the lines and design of your new boat (the aft private cockpit off of the aft cabin, e.g.) than the actual condition of the boat? I guess I thinking, first, of the condition of the wiring, but you've had your share of engine problems, too.

[@prestonsymonds8005]

Great Video, keep the series going..so, so informative, . everyone who watches is learning from Jim... and I'll bet he gets a lot of calls from people that are getting ready to "jump" into a new to them boat. I needa moisture meter..Ha

[@TT-tn1dp]

So when looking to buy, would it be better to go after GRP foam decks rather than balsa or plywood?

[@officialsuburbanvamps]

WOW! Just from watching these episodes I've learned a LOT about how to identify problem areas to walk away from. Great job!! 😀

[@YachtHunters]

Awesome… great to hear. We are scheduled to do more 👍 much appreciated

[@lancemichael7566]

A very informative video. You've put words to specific issues that even a wannabe boat owner (I) can understand!

[@yacht_less]

Excellent video that will prevent some serious buyer heartbreak as well as encourage my wife to keep rebedding the chain plates. Thank you.

[@YachtHunters]

glad to provide some motivation/inspiration... make sure to take fantastic care of a wife that will keep your chainplates healthy! :)

[@desfarrell909]

Thanks Randall, super useful info. I do hope everyone is well.

[@_instabil]

This is a thankful comment. Video is highly appreciated.

[@YachtHunters]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kind words

[@gdaureu]

Hi guys, thank you so much for your videos. I discovered your channel two days ago and I am binge watching since then. We are a family of four from France just starting a project of travelling the world on a sailboat and the level of information your share here is unvaluable for us. Merci beaucoup. Bon vent.

[@YachtHunters]

Fantastique!! Keep us posted on your journey! France holds many lovely memories for me… and I hope to sail there one day!

[@proconsumersafety]

These are such great videos. This is great information and a learning experience for anyone interested in purchasing a boat. Thank you for sharing. It would be interesting to know for maintenance, what things to check for overtime to prevent these issues.

[@herberthahn6964]

Thanks again Randi, by having a forum for old people, to share their vast expeirence and useful knowledge.

[@philipmayo4865]

Love these videos about how to check out a used sailboat especially for us that are brand new to sailing and sailboats. Thank you!

[@cenkaytekin]

OMG, what a series. It’s fantastic, please do more of these!

[@remiaubry2412]

This is great. I love your format and the down to earth explanations. After my first 2000nm I am hooked. So your videos are great for helping me out find my sailboat. Here's an idea...why not tell us about your buying experience. I"d love to know how it went. Thanks...keep up the good work.

[@ShannonHogan-n1q]

Cannot appreciate this video enough. I am new to this and would not have thought to do the type of inspection Jim did, obviously since I am not a surveyor, but even when looking to buy a boat. The deck inspection parts were eye opening, and learning how these component on the deck and rigging interact with the deck itself, great information. I will make sure to incorporate this as well as all of the other pieces of inspections and what to look for for sure. Awesome video series. I am sure some sellers are wishing this series was not out now

[@kingbee1971]

Today on "This Old [Boat]"... Great series! Super informative.

[@peterlarsen1108]

Best boat buying series I've seen.

[@peartreehillfarm]

Such great, informative videos. As a future (day dreaming) sailor, these videos are so valuable. Thank you both for sharing! Am looking forward to the trailer sailboat future episodes as that type of sailboat likely will be our first boat.

[@seandenny1553]

Very informative Way to go Randy

[@Kowzorz]

I love seeing the goods and the bads. "here's a ___. We immediately see xyz and that indicates abc [cue the diagram of construction

[@karaDee2363]

Great video!... Jim is a book of knowledge and fascinating to listen to....

[@evananderson1455]

Its been about a year since I've watched the channel... I do miss Captain Q but I'm glad Rand-ay is till doin his thing and bringing us such incredibly helpful and informative videos. Thanks man, it is appreciate!! Also, Jim seems like a cool guy lol that "Lets give it a shot man!!!" was so infectiously excited, THAT is a guy I wanna go on an adventure with haha

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks, Evan!! Great to have you stop back in. Jim is exactly that... cool, calm, excited to get out on the water and no problem is enough to rattle his positive vibes. We are getting together soon to continue the series too... cheers!

[@marcosansaldi1995]

I love these episodes; it's incredible to get to tune into and hear the lifetime of experience. Thanks, can't wait for more content!

[@DanaSails]

This is so completely helpful. Thank you so much!

[@dvanolpen]

Just bought a Catalina 22 swing keel and would love to see that video.

[@YachtHunters]

congrats!!

[@borys2767]

So how do you know if a teak covered deck has damage below the fiberglass skin it sits on. Unfortunately the boats in my price range would probably be pre 1990 so your video though informative is kind of depressing....LOL If looking at some older boat that used plywood instead of balsa below the fibre glass layer fair better?

[@flashpoint8909]

scary stuff guys that last Boat would have passed until the Deck part, could easily part with Cash and get shafted with that one, very informative.

[@HamandSwiss5283]

This is a great series Ran-day. Thank you for putting the time and effort in to create these. They're so informative. Keep up the good work, and hope everything is good with the Captain!

[@FM-mb2lu]

Fantastic series with Jim. You do need to remind him that women love classic sailboats and are a growing group of boat buyers.

[@jameskiehm546]

Randy great video. What is the Teal racing boat next to you? Also, I lived in Guilford but didn’t recognize where you were filming?

[@davidlevitz3119]

WOW JIM IS A GREAT GUY ! WHAT A PRO!

[@ronagoodwell2709]

This is really useful buyer beware info. As anyone who's been out looking for that mythical best boat knows, there are an awful lot of boats available for every price point you can imagine. Many of those who haven't sold for a long while probably failed a survey or two, and are languishing until the owners can't afford to keep them anymore... or until some poor schmuck comes along and buys one without a survey. Sometimes it's tempting to be that schmuck. Take a deep breath. The feeling will pass. Just know, once you buy the boat, you own all the problems. *** On the other hand, if you have the skills and are motivated, you can take a deck apart from the top, and scrape out the dead core and replace it with fresh core and generous polyester resin, etc. There are numerous videos showing how to do this. And there are worse ways to spend your time and money.

[@beaconbus]

Very knowledgable man! Great series!

[@jvphelan1]

So good. Smart, easy to follow, great graphics. In the process of buying a 1967 classic. We will see how it goes.

[@YachtHunters]

fantastic... let us know how it goes!

[@steveo9815]

good video, reminder for me what to look for early on when I look for my next boat.

[@YachtHunters]

great to hear. thanks

[@patric3917]

Have learned a lot. I'm currently in the process to find a steel-boat so would be wonderful to get some hints on what to look at on those. Keep up the good work!

[@YachtHunters]

great idea... thanks!

[@jocularpaddy]

Gold nuggets of information!

[@Goofus75]

Hi Randall, I know I am late to the party, just catching up on your channel and excited to see the next chapter. Quick question, does Jim have an advice for us "want to be" Marine Surveyors? The field itself is not very transparent but highly interesting. If you see him again Sir, I sure would appreciate anything he might have to say on the topic. Thanks for all the great shows!

[@buttrumpus]

A note on different chainplate designs: the style with a removable bedding plate are much safer than a one-piece where the deck flange is welded onto the chain plate. My boat had one-piece plates and the metal was rotting from the inside out from moisture that entered between the deck and the plate. Nearly lost my rig thanks to what appeared to be bright, shiny metal but was completely dead inside.

[@YachtHunters]

wow... how did you discover it was a problem? was your rig already tensioned all the way and still loose?

[@buttrumpus]

@@YachtHunters rig was tensioned. I noticed rust forming on the plate about 15mm below the pin for my cap shroud turnbuckle. Since it wasn’t coming from that connection point it raised some alarms. The rust seemed to be sweating out of the metal itself. Upon closer inspection with penetrating dye, there were tiny cracks forming. Once I removed the plate entirely and checked the underside of the flange I was absolutely terrified at the level of corrosion.

[@blackpig52]

Same here,had a chainplate just snap,luckily it was only a lower shroud but I renewed them all after that,it was a 40ft boat in 20 knots of wind and one reef in so wasn't being pressed hard. I've got another boat now and the chainplates were the first job I did on her,the old ones look fine but they are nearly 50 years old so it's a small cost for my peace of mind to just renew them

[@goodq]

Absolutely absolutely fantastic. Thank you very much for making this series

[@JY-mq5lg]

The best of the series so far. How about wood and metal hulls (aluminum, steel).

[@YachtHunters]

great idea!!

[@johan8724]

Wood and steel are always stronger then plastic but age and maintanance history is a key. Rusty steel and rotten wood can cost a lot of time and money to repair. Now welding steel can be done anywhere almost for a quick fix when needed and steel is stronger when hitting an object at sea.

[@sallyb3]

Very good points, thanks Randaaa and Jim.

[@mountainmandale1587]

You always do such a great job.

[@YachtHunters]

Thank you so much!

[@johnnylightning1491]

Good stuff guys. Much like RVs that I'm more familiar with water through the roof or deck in this case is the most common cause of death of boats. Keep the good stuff coming Randall and hopefully the Captain will be back with us soon.

[@YachtHunters]

thanks JL

[@danielphilips2226]

Big thanks to both of you, FANTASTIC stuff!!

[@sandrocavali9810]

excellent video! greetings from the Mediterranean

[@vincentsrzentic596]

This is so great, first-time buyer here looking to a buy a boat and this is such a valuable information. Can't wait to see the next one! When is it coming out?

[@Antipodean33]

Great info, these clips dealing with the aspects of what to look for is a great idea. Does anyone know if the last 2 numbers on the boats rego numbers, which he said are the date of manufacture, is that universal world wide, or just the US?

[@tarivard]

Great series. I'm checking out my next boat this coming week.

[@YachtHunters]

best of luck!! let me know how it goes

[@Shepherdservices317]

I love Jim and you for making this. It really put in light why so many beautiful vessels are abandoned. Or scrapped. It may look gorgeous outside but the core is trash. It's a shame they were designed in such a way that makes them this prone to ruin. Not the smartest idea eh?

[@tracymcguire2737]

Wow I'm learning so much from your videos. Well done!

[@matthewcharlesshane6672]

Lean heavily towards due diligence and away from emotional attachments.

[@YachtHunters]

smart to keep it at arms length until you get the go-ahead from a surveyor... otherwise it can get expen$$ive ;)

[@ericlauch8673]

I definitely learned alot from this series and know some things to look for that I never would of thought of. One thing I definitely learned is before making a major purchase , hire a professional . 👍

[@gregsage1605]

This is a brilliant series. Thank you.

[@chrisnewton3032]

Keep them coming please. This stuff is Gold!

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks so much!

[@davidlawson5937]

Thank you for these. Valuable info. Well done.

[@jwboll]

Nice job with this video. I can see this saving a lot of people a lot of money with nothing more than a plastic mallet. (and costing lemon boat sellers a lot of money)

[@querubimsantos2347]

Wow… Randy, you are making this channel get a new face. It has always been good. But now, it has got a lift. Congrats!!!

[@gnsmk357]

This may be a bit much but could you address the limitations on changing the mast on older boats. What are issues with attempting to put high end hands free gear on older boats? Not so much cost but if one finds the perfect older boat and think it can be made as easy to single hand just by geting new self tailing/ furling everything. What boats are too old for this????? Love your videos. Great work.

[@bjjan8592]

This is a very helpful series and much appreciated!

[@YachtHunters]

great to hear... thanks very much

[@davejob630]

Love your work Ran Day! Thanks Jim! Great episode... I think I may have even learned something!

[@YachtHunters]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jasonatkinson635]

Great episode. Thanks Ran Day

[@IstvanJrKoles]

Thank you! Important knowledge.

[@SP-wg5pn]

How often should the running and standing rigging be replaced. Also what are the surveyors thoughts on freestanding Masts such as found on a Nonsuch or Freedom yachts?

[@johan8724]

Junk rigs have free standing masts i saw.

[@evankrhodes]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@danielswords3969]

• I alive on a 1973 Alberg 30 and a rotten deck core and chainplates is my worst nightmare. I don't have the nerve to check my chainplates and balsa core. I always suspect when sailing that someday my rig will come down and that after I die my boat will have basically no value and will be a disposal liability. But then I cheer-up because I think so what. If the mast comes crashing down (assuming it doesn't land on my head) I will be left with a perfectly comfortable (for me) and live-aboard-able trawler. Without the mast I can go under bridges and further up some bayous. I wouldn't mind the slow speed. I might spend some money on engine sound insulation and a cockpit Bimini. I will have excessive draft (4ft) but not so much that I couldn't live with it. I like the look of my hull (long, low, narrow with nice overhangs) and I think it would be more beautiful than any but a Biloxi Lugger trawler. So if I were looking for a boat to live on or even to sail in local, protected waters (vs ocean crossings) a boat like the one surveyed above with the rotten core or one needing major standing and running rigging and sail repairs/replacement might be a perfect find for me. No way it is worth the effort of re-coring the deck but it might last another 20 years cruising coastal waters or just buy it as a live aboard coastal trawler.

[@Theguyunderyourbed22]

I think the takeaway here is that if you want to keep your boat in good condition, don't put it in the water.

[@Surfsail]

😂😂 knock it off 😅😅

[@YachtHunters]

You must seal it in a hermetic plastic… 😂

[@murraycharters6102]

I love that comment, it gave me the laugh of the day.

[@harbourdogNL]

2:16 "...your moisture meter" he says, pointing below the man's waist...🤣 I just spit coffee through my nose laughing...

[@YachtHunters]

😂 unintentionally funny... i like the way your brain works Harbour Dog :)