Sea Trials..???

[boatman61]

There's often a popular call on here for 'Take it on a Sea Trial'..
I am curious to know what that is exactly and how each person defines a 'Sea Trial.
I know what I regard as an adequate sea trial but.. what is yours..???

[belizesailor]

A related suggestion for those hiring a captain for a sea trial: bring your own, or at least bring a knowledgeable friend/pro along who has no affiliation w broker/seller.

Ive been put in the uncomfortable situation a few times of running a sea trial for brokers/sellers I know...this creates a disincentive for the sea trial captain to point out issues.

So my addition to the list:

"Knowledgeble independent party aboard to evaluate vessel during sea trial."

That could be a knowledgeable buyer, Ive run my own sea trials for example, but even then its good to have another set of knowledgeable eyes aboard to catch things you might have missed.

[boatman61]

Nicely sidestepped..

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Nicely sidestepped.. [emoji3]

Hey, I added an item to the list! 😆

And I think its an important one. If a less knowledgeable buyer relies on the broker/seller supplied captain (who may indeed be the broker/seller) then odds are good they wont get a lot of objective feedback.

[boatman61]

I was looking for more really.. what does one check.. how long does a trial last.. eg: a buyers sea trial vs one for a 7 to 14 day passage.. or a delivery.
What's the difference between them..

For me.. once I have established that all on board works well enough for my needs.. ie essential services like engine/s, basic elec's, helm, rigging and sails.. a good power hose down topsides to find possible deck/port light leaks that could be a problem.. and that all sea cocks are sound.. water test is when the tanks are full and it tastes okay.. fuel test is running the engine and fitting new filters.. no I do not go out in an F8 to shake up the tank and see what happens..
Then comes the Sea Trial.. I head out and if there's no signs of problems for the first 3 days from say SXM to the Azores (360nm +/-) I keep going.. if something happens that I cannot resolve and that is crucial I turn back.
Does anyone else do a 72hr Sea Trial..

Comments sought from the more Knowledgeable who keep bringing it up.

[deblen]

Some thoughts: Sea Trials ,,, it ain't just a boat ride !

[Pete7]

I insisted on a sea trial before buying and paying for a survey.

You know the route, from Moodys on the Hamble out and around the Bramble Bank in a pleasant F4 so about three hours in total. Test was to see the sails up and drawing on a variety of different tacks to check condition and to see how inmast reefing worked. Also checked rigging tension under sail etc.

Test also needed to show engine was capable of running at speed for at least 30 minutes without over heating or producing black smoke etc. Engine also observed whilst running under load.

On the day the previous owner hired a yachtmaster because his health was suffering although he came on board. This was a great move because it allowed me to walk around the yacht quizzing the owner and not have either of us needing to concentrate on steering the boat.

Pete

[skipmac]

I think a sea trial can take on very different roles depending on the situation.

As a yacht broker a sea trial was standard on the sale of a used boat. In that context the sea trial was to:

- run the engine and make sure it doesn't overheat, no vibrations, etc.
- hoist the sails and verify their condition, check all the running rigging,4
- test other systems like AP, plotter, bilge pump, air con, etc.

Other situations might demand a more serious sea trial. Preparing a new or unfamiliar vessel for a long voyage a sea trial might be longer and more like a shake down cruise.

[Pete7]

Oh, the most important test is of course to make tea mid morning, with water from the tanks. That proves the cooker works and the water quality is drinkable. Not being able to make tea on board would give strong cause for rejection in the UK.

Pete

[Suijin]

Pretty much every system and function that you can't check when on the hard or at the dock.

You run the engine, check heat, charging, max RPM underway, cooling, etc. Pretty much whatever observable data you can collect.

Hoist the main and the jib. Trim the sails, thrown in a tack or two.

Check functioning of the electronics.

That's it for the sea trials I've been on. I suppose you could check other equipment, like windvanes etc that require the boat to be underway for proper testing, if the surveyor has the time and is in agreement.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I think a sea trial can take on very different roles depending on the situation.

As a yacht broker a sea trial was standard on the sale of a used boat. In that context the sea trial was to:

- run the engine and make sure it doesn't overheat, no vibrations, etc.
- hoist the sails and verify their condition, check all the running rigging,4
- test other systems like AP, plotter, bilge pump, air con, etc.

Other situations might demand a more serious sea trial. Preparing a new or unfamiliar vessel for a long voyage a sea trial might be longer and more like a shake down cruise.

And how long would you say is an adequate 'Shakedown Cruise'..

[GTom]

I would obviously want to see the sails, running rigging, winches in action, but I think is much more about the engine: does it sound nice, does it stay cool if run at higher rpm for an hour? You can't get this in the marina.

The rest is for those who haven't sailed the specific model and simply want to know if they feel comfortable with its motion?

[weavis]

I just done one. Well, My version.

I like to go in bad weather. Put everything up that goes up and switch everything on that has a switch. I see what breaks or looks like its going to. See what stops working and see what bends. I check the rigging meticulously and all the lines. See if the radio and radar and other flashing things still makes noises.

I check all the seacocks and for leaks anywhere. If its raining, I like to test in the rain, I look for water ingress. I try to open and close everything at least once.

I check the water and fuel systems in a rough sea.

The engine is fired up and run at different speeds. I try and feel odd vibrations.

My trial took a few hours.

What is the conclusion? On this trip nothing went wrong... but next time...

[GTom]

Originally Posted by weavis

I like to go in bad weather.
...

I check the water and fuel systems in a rough sea.

Good idea, best indicator should be the face of the seller: if shivering and keeps looking at the direction of the life raft, don't buy the boat - or try to find which part was he afraid of.

[boatman61]

Often a critique is made on here about someone doing an inadequate shakedown cruise..
Now I am a delivery skipper who unlike the vast majority charge a fixed mileage rate, the total quoted is based on expected mileage of the voyage taking the shortest but safest route from A to Z..
So a Shakedown Cruise costs the owner nothing and I only get paid once I start traveling.. eg: a 30-35ft mono will average 100 to 120nm/day so I earn between $200/$250 a day for myself and 1 crew.. but then money is not the prime objective for us sailing, nor the only source off income..
Travel and adventure is.. and I'm happy to sit in port waiting for good weather for as long as it takes.
However.. do not leap to the assumption that I rush things and take unsafe shortcuts..
I love life to much and.. the responsibility of someone else's life is taken very seriously also I always have Plan B.. C..
However there's those who rely on it for a living and charge $350.$500/day for themselves and crew wages on top.. so a 3 day Shakedown which some folks say is the minimum, could end up costing an owner anything up to $3000.. before the voyage has even begun.
That would be just a coupla hundred miles short of SXM to the Azores for my owner..

So what I am basically saying is.. its very easy to sit and spend someone else's money where there's no need but Man..!!! do folks perspectives change when it is their hard earned $$$'s

I remember sitting in Las Palmas marina watching an owner being blagged into spending $1000's on getting a Lagoon 380 'Ready'.. one that I'd just delivered doing a bit over 2000nm from Bari, Italy... where in my opinion all that needed doing to it was the spinnaker halyard reversing due to chaffing at the top end some 6" before the clip.. otherwise she was good to go..
But her just met and untested 'crew' had her paranoid.
From what I later learnt little if any off that gear was used..

For me the sea trial/shakedown cruise described in the above posts tells me little or nothing of any value that a rigorous dock inspection does not.. however sailing from Ft Lauderdale too over the top of the Bank will tell me a lot.. and I can then continue if all is good.. or turn and head to Ft Pierce.. something I did with a boat called Ellie Bo on a Miami-Oz trip..
The same with SXM, FWI.. 2 or 3 days to windward tells me more than a sail to Antigua or a piddle about in the channel.. and its an easy beam to broad reach back to Marigot.. if anything appears 'Not Right'.. or 2000nm to go.