Introduction

If you are considering buying a used boat, a sea trial can be a useful tool for assessing the boat’s condition and performance. A sea trial is a test run of the boat, typically conducted on open water, during which the boat’s performance and condition can be evaluated. It can be an important step in the boat-buying process, however, it is important to understand that there are both pros and cons to performing a sea trial on a used boat.

A Tale of Two Scenarios:

Before we dive in, let’s be clear, there are two distinct scenarios related to performing a sea trial. The best-case scenario is when the boat in question is already in the water and ready to run. The second and worst-case scenario is in off-season weather, where the vessel is located on the hard, possibly miles from any suitable landing or marina and the local waterways are equally hard (frozen).

This article deals more with the pro and cons of doing a sea trial in the off-season or early-season conditions where the vessel is wrapped, winterized and the marinas are closed or backed up with seasonal dockage owners taking a priority on inspecting, maintaining, and splashing their vessels for the upcoming season.

Sea Trial Pros:

The primary pro to performing a sea trial is that it offers a comprehensive evaluation of the boat’s condition and performance. During the trial, you can assess the boat’s speed, steering, crash stop, and maneuverability, as well as its actual engine power, fuel efficiency, and seaworthiness. This information is valuable in determining the boat’s overall performance.

  • Ability to check wet operation, engine cooling, and steering.
  • Ability to check speed and performance.
  • Ability to check handling and stability in rough seas.
  • Useful for commercial applications and required for passenger operations (seakeeping).

There are other important factors that should also be taken into consideration that do not require the sea trial process, such as the boat’s maintenance records, the condition of its engine, and the age and condition of its hull. It is important to consider the cost and time associated with a sea trial, especially if the boat requires de-winterization, transport, launch, sea trial, haul, return transport, and re-winterization. 

Consider there is much information that can be obtained, just from maintenance records and a dry survey. The dry survey is a check of all the boat systems, a hull evaluation, and detection of delamination or water in the hull or deck. The engine and transmission can be dry-checked by a certified mechanic for considerably less than a full sea trial. Cooling water can be applied with a hose and the proper fittings.

Sea Trial Cons:

The primary con to performing a sea trial is that it can be very costly and time-consuming. Depending on the boat’s location, you may have to travel to the boat or move the boat a considerable distance, and depending on the boat’s size, you may need to hire a crew and a boat hauler. Additionally, the sea trial itself will require additional billed surveyor time, fuel, and costs and delays to both the buyer and seller.

  • Requires extensive planning and scheduling, especially in the off-season or early season.
  • Additional cost to the buyer for transport, splash, haul, and transport back to the seller’s storage location. Buyer cost.
  • Travel Lift availability.
  • Additional surveyor time and cost. Buyer cost.
  • Rewinterization of systems, and rewrapping of the vessel. Buyer cost.
  • Depends on early-season water levels and ice conditions.
  • Increase the seller’s accepted price, as they will need to provide fuel, pilot the boat or hire a bonded captain.
  • Useful for testing performance on new designs, but not for existing boat designs with published performance data.

Alternatives:

Alternatives to a sea trial include a professional boat survey and a review of the boat’s maintenance records. A professional survey will provide an in–depth evaluation of the boat’s condition, while a review of the maintenance records will provide insight into the boat’s past. Both of these tools can be helpful in determining the value and condition of the boat and helping you make an informed decision.

In the price negotiation phase, a seller will be much more willing to accept a lower offer if a sea trial is not required, and only the contingency of a satisfactory condition / mechanical or rig survey is included in the purchase & sales agreement.

Overall, a sea trial can be a beneficial tool for assessing the condition and performance of a used boat but is much more useful on new and unproven boat designs. It is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision about whether or not to perform a sea trial. If you are confident in the boat’s condition and published performance, a sea trial may not be necessary. However, if the vessel is already in the water and ready to run, there is no reason not to take a quick run to perform a sea trial. 

Finding a Boat Surveyor Near You…

Please use this link to find a boat surveyor near you.
https://www.marinesurvey.org/surveyors/united-states/

 

 

 

Sources – 

Wikipedia – Sea Trial – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_trial