SAILBOAT BUYING TIPS - Part 1! A veteran surveyor gives his inside tips

Looking to buy a used sailboat but don't know what to look for? Do you want to understand some basic things to watch out for in order to pre-qualify or eliminate sailboats from your want-to-buy list? We have you covered. Veteran surveyor, Jim, is here to walk us through all the things he would watch out for based on his 40+ years of experience surveying thousands of boats.
We take a look at sailboat propellers, max props, two-bladed props, three-bladed props, cutlass bearings, zincs, line cutters and prop shaft struts... and Jim helps us understand what to look for when buying a used sailboat.
His knowledge is immense and this is Part 1 in a multi-part series about things you can pay attention to when buying a used sailboat. Part 2 will cover rudders, keels, thru-hulls, bottom paint, and other critical things for buyers to take note of before getting serious and calling a surveyor.
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==============Segments==============
00:00 - Meet Jim, Veteran Surveyor
02:41 - Running gear pre-screening tips - prop shaft, prop, cutlass bearing
04:17 Tip #1 - Rotate the prop shaft
04:43 Tip #2 -Check prop shaft for play
06:19 Tip #3 - prop locknut should be the big one
08:29 Tip #4 - Check max prop blades for play
09:32 Tip #5 - Check line cutters
09:44 Tip #6 - Check zincs
10:10 Tip #7 - Check prop strut for rust
12:21 Tip #8 - Check your cutlass bearing for wear
13:35 Tip #9 - Prop should be close to strut
15:08 - Ask us a question with comment/email
cutlass bearing replacement, max prop, used sailboat buyers guide, buying a used sailboat, prop shaft seal replacement

[@robertmarquis3529]

Bring him back he should have his own show very awesome video

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks Robert, will do!

[@windrider65]

Would be great to have him go over the whole boat. Break it into sections for each video. This was a fantastic video.

[@sandyt4343]

I’ve been working on boats for nearly 60 years and have disassembled hundreds of boats prior to final demolition. It’s been an interesting process to dissect so many different designs, but Jim’s information is golden. I learned here so many subtle things that I was really glad I found this video. it would be wonderful to take the boats in sections and do a similar analysis. This is such valuable information. The thing I enjoy most about him is he’s a normal down to earth guy and not at all full of himself. The kind of guy you would like to have around I’m sure.

[@makisp.1428]

@@windrider65 I'll second that. Not one more video, but several more videos!!

[@user-ek1qt2le5n]

Randy, Awesome job keeping Yacht Hunters going! Thank you for bringing on a new crew of experts to explain all things sailing specific to classic sailboats!

[@harbourdogNL]

Easily one of the most valuable and informative videos you've done! Please bring him back for Parts 3, 4, 5, 6...standing rigging & deck check, engine check, electrical check, plumbing check....!

[@YachtHunters]

Will do!! We’ve been planning it for awhile and will be working on it soon! Thanks for the encouragement! 👍👍

[@svsalserenity4375]

This is a great series , well done !

[@kevio6868]

great guest thanks Jim!

[@tomriley5790]

Great knowledge, generous of him to share it!

[@stallion78]

I really enjoy learning on what to look for. I’m glad you got him to show what to look at. I hope he can go over deck to hull joints, what to look for on tanks, rigging, engine and steering. Hopefully you can go over everything in future episodes. Thanks for making these episodes CQ and Randy 🙏

[@tippyzuk1]

Very well explained, great guest!

[@jd739]

Awesome series! Hope you can get him back to go over all parts of a boat!

[@kirtrasmussen7829]

Great information, keep it coming!

[@RickMentore]

Admired his knowledge and humble disposition!

[@nickmalone3599]

Incredible value in this episode.

[@para1324]

Randy this was an interesting segment. Jim passed along great information in a short time. Thanks to him for sharing his knowledge. I hope you will be able to do more with him in the future. Best regards sent to you Jim and Captain Q.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks Para! Part two is in the works as are future parts. Glad you enjoyed it 👍👍

[@glennwilusz8808]

Completely informative, well scripted, and easy to follow! Thanks for allowing us all to "adjust the sails" and follow the future wind !

[@SailingSweetMadness]

This is great info! Thanks for sharing!

[@notdoctors]

Brilliant! Should be a full series - ongoing ;-)

[@hakubaholiday9006]

Awesome content! Please keep these types of vids coming 🙂

[@User161803399]

More of this please!

[@henderjess900]

Good video Randy. Best to you and Captain Q from Seattle!

[@Kowzorz]

I adore this kind of video. Just lots of specific examples and the little things in those examples to look for. Everyone knows the broads, but I learned so much about the specifics from this. I look forward to seeing more like this.

[@Robert-xm2kz]

Thanks! Great idea to have a professional surveyor show hands on what he looks at..Looking forward to more!

[@sallyb3]

Informative session, thanks😊

[@tatlertom3090]

sooooo helpful! thank you both.

[@michaelmc2229]

More of this please! Top side, standing rigging, interior, etc.

[@taylorjs2534]

You two make a great team.

[@pcarter5992]

Great video. Full of important info!

[@godonholiday]

Amazing to get this insight. Thank you both so much

[@YachtHunters]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍👍

[@belajarus]

Heck yes! This is the good stuff I was waiting for!

[@YachtHunters]

Glad you enjoyed it, kirill!

[@Seafariireland]

Excellent lesson!

[@lwrii1912]

Thanks for the video. Good information.

[@tvelocidad]

Great series! I want Jim to do my next survey. He should be a regular on the channel.

[@Roly679]

Useful and to the point.

[@sailingmrnice]

Great series!

[@Abc-kf4qx]

Knowledge is power, love it. Keep up the great work!

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks, will do

[@garywinslow2973]

Nobody has mentioned it so far: Your boat sailing along just looks terrific! Well trimmed, of course. That guy knows what he's doing! Thank you for all you do.

[@YachtHunters]

thank you, gary!! much appreciated

[@bloodyeyeful]

That was awesome RanDay and Jim! Thank you both. Blessings.

[@YachtHunters]

thank you, mike!

[@eduartginting232]

This is very helpful, thank you!

[@seanhanlon5867]

you guys are great, its always interesting and fun 👏👏

[@petrospapapanagiotou]

Great timing! I'm now searching for my first sailboat and this is great chunk of knowledge to have. I think you should ask him to do part-3, part-4... so that we could get an idea of what to be aware of not only for what is under the water line but also and up on the deck (running - standing rigging), and inside (thru hulls, various leaks, bulkheads, various ware and tare). Great video!!! 👍👍👍

[@symphonyfarm2009]

Ran-day. This is super cool!!! Stoked for part two

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks SF!! It’s chock full of knowledge!

[@ruairim7551]

Im 5 minutes in and this is just fantastic. This guy is a wealth of knowledge.

[@dieterhardt7803]

I really liked this tips. Simple and usefull.

[@Useless_Knowledge07]

Super knowledge! More, more, and more...Good stuff Randy!!!

[@YachtHunters]

It’s coming!! Glad you liked it! 👍

[@bwuepper439]

Thanks very much. Instead of just a two parter dealing mostly with outside hull, you could do a whole series. The lower hull, upper hull, topsides, deck, steering, rigging, insides, etc, etc. You could keep Jim busy for weeks. Thanks again, Jim, Randy, and Captain Q.

[@34ofaninchofbrain80]

This fellow could spend 12 months or more sharing his Knowledge about just one boat I would say. It's a very interesting subject for someone like me that dreams about buying a yacht. You should expand on this direction. Thanks

[@ammoalamo6485]

I love this information, though I may never see an ocean again other than in a video. But if I had any desire to own a boat, I would be extra thankful for this type of knowledge. Keep up the good work.

[@dennisfromoz6436]

Yes.....I'm learning with your episodes....Thank You.

[@YachtHunters]

great to hear that . cheers Dennis

[@kevio6868]

great update Ran Day! Thanks again for sharing

[@YachtHunters]

thanks KO!! :)

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you RanDay for this episode. Good tips from a professional are always valuable. Have a good weekend.

[@YachtHunters]

Agreed… get the experienced pro to dish out some gems!!

[@timwhiteside3173]

Great episode thanks. !!!!!

[@johnnylightning1491]

First comment, for whatever that's worth. I noticed that Jim was carrying around a plastic hammer, likely the boat surveyor's most important tool along with his ears. Good show, keep the good stuff coming guys.

[@YachtHunters]

Seems like a win of some kind, JL 👍👍

[@datamack]

This needs to be like a 10 part series!

[@10lauset]

Cheers to both of you.

[@YachtHunters]

cheers, laurie!!

[@paulbuttner6808]

Ran Day, incredible info on items inspect on shopping for a seasoned sailboat. Always a very good idea to talk with a veteran inspector. Keep up the excellent work and thank you for bring another awesome video.

[@YachtHunters]

thanks very much, Paul!

[@dianesilas4243]

Oohhh! This was helpful…thank you.

[@Early8Q]

❤ excellent vid! Thank you!

[@LoganJohnson-lm2bh]

Hi Ran Day i really like and appreciate this addition to the normal format it really helps to fill out all the things one needs to know about even before buying one .👍👍

[@YachtHunters]

Great to hear you enjoyed it, Logan! Lots more on the way. Cheers!

[@danpinsonsax]

Excellent tips!

[@adrianrodriguez6278]

This information is gold! Thanks Ran-day

[@YachtHunters]

Excellent. Glad you liked it

[@TheJdm2203]

Hey Randall! A bit late to the party. GREAT stuff and THANK YOU for continuing the CaptQ legacy!!

[@dmitch1177]

This is a great start!

[@YachtHunters]

Thank you, Douglas!

[@MistaEmPe]

Wow this is so helpfull! Please bring him back!

[@aaronnunn5240]

Thats a fantastic video Randay! Thanks mate

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks for watching,Aaron, glad you liked it!

[@patrickl.2761]

Jim is great !

[@austinkoov9686]

Fantastic !

[@tomclause9555]

Great vid!

[@ATthruhiker96]

Greatest sailing channel on KZbin. Thanks ya'll for all the excellent information.

[@YachtHunters]

That’s very kind of you, Andrew!! I hope we can live up to that lofty compliment. Much appreciated!! Cheers!

[@user-xs1he4dd5f]

Love you for your knowledge of the facts thank you we’re new just discovered your show and can’t wait for the next episode Erik from Montana

[@YachtHunters]

Welcome aboard, Erik! Great to have you along for the ride. After a busy winter, Jim is slated to come back this spring to continue the series. cheers!

[@tomasetcheverry2654]

This is pure gold !

[@YachtHunters]

Much appreciated!

[@davidhakes3884]

Great Series Randall and Jim Thank You Both. Regards to CapN Q..

[@teknotikpointbiz]

just sent this to a customer who was hesitant on a survey, thank you ! you may just saved him a lot of money, and gave me time to do other jobs ! like fixing a stuffing box vent on a Volvo !

[@anthonyelam2257]

As always very informative ... this episode was very good ... I learned alot and thank you ...😊😊😊

[@YachtHunters]

Great to hear. Thanks

[@DCGULL01]

Randall- that was Awesome!!!

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks, david! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@royzilko2523]

Great video Randy! I’ve learned a ton from you and your friends!

[@YachtHunters]

Great to hear, Roy! Thanks

[@robertmcmahon1221]

Ran day, what a great idea for a series.

[@YachtHunters]

Glad you think so! much appreciated!

[@jordan0brown]

Great stuff

[@dsharomov]

It is a great lesson! Thanks a lot!

[@Motociclista760]

Awesome knowledge!

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks!

[@Dan6erous]

Thanks Randy, I always feel smarter after I've seen your videos - but just enough to be super cautious.

[@YachtHunters]

Great to hear that… thanks Dan!

[@joshuaromme273]

Great video! Lots of helpful information ,was so good to hear Jim's knowledge on basic inspection and maintenance items. Looking forward to the next video. Would really like to know more about how to tell when thruhulls need to be replaced. I.e. corrosion and when it's a problem and needs to be replaced.

[@YachtHunters]

Great questions… will touch base w/ Jim on them

[@tangoreal9098]

More of this!

[@barnzman1]

Great perspective as I dream and consider my next vessel.

[@richardhill2260]

Great idea,thanks

[@YachtHunters]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JimmyGreen-wx6gt]

Great video

[@karenfyhr2363]

I enjoyed listening to Jim very much, he's a book of knowledge and experience.... I would definitely like to hear more from him, such as doing a complete survey.... It would also be good to list his contact information, so anyone could contact him to do a survey ...

[@mboyer68]

Randy has the best random movie references on KZbin.

[@YachtHunters]

you're too kind... my brain has far too many random things tucked away when it comes to movies :)

[@mboyer68]

Totally agree, he's so good at pulling perfect references. 11:39

[@volvotango8363]

Excellent comprehensive info, thanks! What about the dripless vs traditional shaft seals?

[@paulschumacker9901]

Wow. This was great! When you’re not sure what you’re doing, talk to someone who knows! Many thanks for this!

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks, Paul! Glad you like it! Part 2 has more great tips too

[@arnomuysson8532]

im currently in the market for a blue water vessel, this is a very helpfull video ty so much

[@EuroThrashDude]

Very helpful. This communicated subtle details that's hard to communicate in books.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks ETD! Glad you appreciated it

[@johncampbell388]

Just excellent. My bronze Catalina strut was "pinked" meaning it lost zinc die to galvanic corrosion. Catalina Direct had a replacement part so no new fabrication was required but the strut was glassed into the hull and not bolted. Luckily the guys at the yard were capable but it took a long time to dry out that part of the hull. We put on a good barrier coat as well as a zinc on the strut even though Catalina said the strut was electrically isolated. I guess I learned a wet hull conducts electricity...

[@kevincammell8083]

this is great....good great session....if you could do a list of things necessary for an ocean going boat to test and to have on board that would also be great....missed you guys....regards from new zealand

[@mac6779]

Great info, thank you.

[@YachtHunters]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

[@romershaw3798]

Excellent video. LOVE the Captain but definitely have this guy back on. Very enjoyable.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks Romer! Stay tuned for tomorrow… Jim is back this week for the 3rd installment 👍

[@patrickhorgan8389]

Superb. Thank You.

[@YachtHunters]

Glad you liked it Patrick!

[@thomasquinn284]

Fabulous presentation.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks Thomas!!

[@louisfbrooks]

Great video with lots of great information.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks Louis!

[@jacquelynjones6364]

What an excellent video, thank you

[@YachtHunters]

thank you, Jacquenlyn!

[@pentachronic]

Great info. Defo worth you spendi g more time with him as he obviously has a lot of knowledge to share.

[@YachtHunters]

Yes, I plan on trying get some more time with Jim… he’s a treasure trove of useful knowledge

[@rjgillens2637]

well done Randall... I'm off to Part 2

[@YachtHunters]

glad you're liking them. thanks!

[@karlboehler697]

Amazingly informational. Anyone looking to buy a used sailboat should watch this.

[@YachtHunters]

Thanks Karl! Much appreciated