Sea Trials..???

[SV DestinyAscen]

Only partly in jest. What constitutes a proper sea trial depends on whether the buyer really wants to accept the boat or wants to hold the owner/builder accountable.

If you're the USN and more interested in getting a littorial combat garbage out of Wisconsin before it is iced in, then you accept deficiency and "sea trials" in a bloody lake.

If during commissioning from new builder, I think there needs to be several hours of consistent motoring in various conditions to verify operation and check for any noise or vibration. Make sure boat doesn't take on water at expected heel angles, strange creaks or deflection of bulkheads. Stuff that's harder to replicate without pulling the boat down with the mast.