Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series about sailboat sea trials.
The purpose of a sea trial
A sea trial should be more than a pleasant cruise; it is a disciplined, detailed evaluation of how a prospective sailboat performs in real conditions. You and your surveyor may have inspected the boat thoroughly while ashore, but many characteristics only reveal themselves underway. Treat the sea trial as serious work: document observations, test systems deliberately, and confirm the boat meets your expectations for safety, handling and comfort.
The right conditions
Schedule enough time for a realistic trial and try to test the boat in representative conditions. While you cannot control the weather, avoid evaluating the boat only in calm, glassy water. If seas are moderate or there is some chop and wakes beyond the breakwater, those conditions will better reveal handling, spray control and apparent structural response. The owner may be concerned about risk, but within reason you should expect to exercise the boat in conditions that show how it will behave when you actually use it.
Bring experienced help when needed
If you are a competent, experienced skipper, you may be able to run the trial safely and spot issues. If not, bring someone qualified: your surveyor should be aboard for inspection and, if needed, capable of operating the vessel. Alternatively, a seasoned captain or trusted, experienced friend can safely handle the boat and advise you during maneuvers. A thorough sea trial can create safety risks; qualified personnel reduce those risks and make the evaluation more effective.
Put her through the paces
Test the boat under both sail and power. Check how she handles wind and current, particularly during close-quarters maneuvering such as approaching a dock or turning in a tight marina. Evaluate how she responds to seas from different angles, and observe how much spray or green water comes aboard in rougher conditions. Try running astern to confirm reverse control and assess how readily the boat overcomes forward momentum when a quick stop or backing maneuver is required.
Sail on all points of sail and trim sails and rudder to find a balanced, comfortable angle. See whether the boat will maintain course without constant steering input for short periods. Under power, test acceleration, cruising speed, maneuverability, and low-speed handling needed for docking and backing up. Some sailboats perform poorly under power; since you will need to dock, depart and make headway in calm conditions, these tests are important.
Look, listen and feel—what to inspect underway
Observe broad hull panels and deck sections for flex. If large sections feel loose or “trampoline” when struck by a wave, that suggests inadequate structural support. Inspect bilges for signs of movement, visible leaks or running water. Watch the wake for an appropriate pattern relative to speed and hull type—an inconsistent wake can hint at trim or hull issues.
Listen carefully for unusual noises that may indicate developing problems or poor construction. Rattles, creaks or whines can point to fastener issues, loose interior joinery, or drivetrain concerns. Also assess ambient noise levels; consider how comfortable engine and wave noise will be in the cockpit, salon and cabins. Check the engine while running and during start-up and shutdown with access to the engine compartment or outboard cowling to identify abnormal sounds or smells.
Feel structural joints and high-load areas. Where bulkheads meet the hull, any working or excessive flex is a concern. Open and close lockers, doors and drawers as the boat moves: if they bind or pry against their frames, it could indicate distortion or hidden damage. Palpate the hull where propeller shafts, struts and rudder stocks pass through—excess vibration or movement at those penetrations is a red flag.
Inspect keel, rudder and chainplate attachment points. Keel bolts, keel-to-hull joints and areas where internal ballast flares into the hull experience intense loads; checking these when the boat is heeled in a breeze gives the best indication of how they behave under stress. Observe and feel chainplates and their backing areas for working or leaks while the rig is loaded.
December 2012 issue