SAIL-OFF provides 8 key pages for expert rigging, comprehensive maintenance tracking, and detailed sea trial logs, empowering every sailing adventure.

Buying a Boat

Boat Purchase Checklist

Pre-purchase inspection guide for buying a used sailing vessel — covering documentation, hull, engine, rigging, systems, and sea trial.

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Vessel Name

Notes

Documentation & Legal

1Vessel title / registration certificate — current and clean

2Proof of ownership — bill of sale or original purchase documents

3No outstanding liens, finance, or encumbrances (PPSR/Vessel Register check)

4Hull Identification Number (HIN) / boat code — verified and matches documents

5Vessel registration number — matches across all paperwork

6Service history and maintenance records available

7Engine logbook / hour meter reading — consistent and credible

8Previous survey reports (if any) reviewed

9Insurance history / claims record obtained

10Builder's certificate (if new or lightly used) available

Hull & Deck

11Gelcoat — condition inspected for crazing, cracking, and fading

12Osmosis / blistering — hull below waterline tapped and inspected (hull out preferred)

13Keel joint — checked for separation, movement, or water ingress

14Hull-to-deck joint — inspected for gaps, cracking, or sealant failure

15Through-hulls and seacocks — operational, serviced, no corrosion

16Rudder — checked for play, bearing wear, and water ingress

17Hull thickness — checked with moisture meter / tap test (professional)

18Deck — checked for soft spots, delamination, and core saturation

19Stanchions, pulpits, and lifelines — secure, no corrosion or loose fastenings

20Chainplates — inspected for crevice corrosion and deck leaks

21Windows and portlights — checked for cracks, crazing, and seal integrity

22Deck hatches — checked for seal condition, smooth operation, and closing latch

23Deck hatches — checked for leaks around frames and hinges

24Portlights — checked for leaks around seals and frames

25Interior leakage — checked for water stains, dampness, and musty smells around windows and hatches

26Cabin sole — checked for dampness indicating hull or deck leaks

27Companionway hatch — secure, slides freely, seal intact

Engine & Propulsion

28Engine hours — verified against logbook and condition

29Engine service records — current, with receipts

30Oil and fluids — checked for contamination (milky oil = water)

31Cooling system — raw water pump, heat exchanger, impeller inspected

32Exhaust system — checked for leaks, corrosion, or water backflow

33Belts and hoses — inspected for cracks, wear, and correct tension

34Engine mounts — checked for wear, alignment, and deterioration

35Propeller — inspected for nicks, pitting, and balance

36Propeller shaft and cutless bearing — checked for play and wear

37Shaft seal / stern gland — inspected for weeping and excessive heat

38Transmission / gearbox — shifts smoothly through all gears

39Fuel system — checked for leaks, filter condition, tank integrity

Sails & Rigging

40Standing rigging — age determined (replace if >10–15 years)

41Standing rigging — inspected for corrosion, broken strands, and terminal cracks

42Running rigging — halyards and sheets inspected for wear and chafe

43Mast and boom — checked for corrosion, dents, and cracks

44Spreaders — inspected for alignment and attachment integrity

45Mast step — checked for corrosion and compression

46Sails — mainsail, headsails inspected for wear, UV damage, and stitching

47Furling systems — operational, bearings smooth, no corrosion

48Winches — operational, serviced, pawls and springs functional

49Blocks and sheaves — free-running, no cracks or bearing wear

Systems & Interior

50Electrical system — battery condition, age, and capacity verified

51Wiring — inspected for corrosion, chafing, and correct fusing

52Alternator / charging system — output tested

53Plumbing system — checked for leaks, hose condition, and clamps

54Gas system — certified compliant (bubble tester, solenoid, ventilation)

55Bilge pumps — manual and electric, operational with float switches

56Navigation electronics — GPS, plotter, AIS, instruments powered and functional

57Galley — stove, fridge, water system operational

58Head / toilet — operational, holding tank, no leaks or odours

59Interior — checked for moisture, stains, and delamination in linings/sole

60Cabinetry and joinery — inspected for damage, loose fittings, and water stains

61Anchoring system — windlass operational, anchor and chain inspected

Electronics

62Chartplotter / multi-function display (MFD) — operational, screen clear, latest firmware

63GPS — fix acquired, position accurate, backup GPS available

64AIS — transceiver receiving and transmitting, antenna secure

65Autopilot — operational, holds heading, rudder reference calibrated

66Depth sounder / fishfinder — reading accurate, transducer secure

67Wind instrument — speed and direction reading correctly

68Boat speed / log — reading accurately, paddle wheel clean

69Radar — operational, target acquisition and guard zones functional

70VHF radio — transmitting and receiving, DSC registered with MMSI

71HF / SSB radio — operational (if fitted), ground plane and tuner checked

72EPIRB — registered, battery in date, tested

73Stereo / entertainment system — operational

Solar Panels & Batteries

74Solar panels — inspected for micro-cracks, delamination, and hot spots

75Solar panel output — tested with multimeter under load (Vmp / Imp)

76Solar panel wiring — MC4 connectors, UV-damaged cable replaced

77MPPT / PWM charge controller — operational, display reading correctly

78Battery bank — age, type, and capacity verified (Lead Acid / AGM / Lithium)

79Battery bank — load tested, resting voltage within spec

80Battery terminals — clean, tight, no corrosion

81Battery monitor / shunt — installed and reading accurately

82Battery charger / shore power charger — operational, correct charging profile

83Alternator / regulator — charging output verified at engine RPM

84Inverter — operational, correct output voltage and frequency

85Battery isolation switches — operational, labelled correctly

86Wiring and fusing — correctly sized, no overloaded circuits

Safety Equipment

87Lifejackets — correct number, size, in date, automatic inflation cylinders checked

88Life raft — serviced and in certificate (if fitted), mounting secure

89Flares — in date, correct type for area of operation

90Fire extinguishers — correct number, in date, mounted and accessible

91Fire blanket — present and accessible in galley

92Bilge pump — manual and electric, operational with float switch

93Buckets — lanyard-secured, correct number for vessel length

94First aid kit — complete, in date, appropriate for crew numbers and voyage

95Danbuoy / horseshoe buoy — present, in good condition, light working

96MOB recovery gear — ladder, sling, or recovery system operational

97Harnesses and jacklines — inspected for wear, correctly fitted

98Distress flag / orange smoke — present and in date

99Softwood plugs — sized and tied near through-hull fittings

100Heaving line — floating line, correct length

101Radar reflector — fitted and correctly positioned

102VHF radio — DSC capable, MMSI programmed, emergency channels tested

Sea Trial & Survey

103Engine — starts easily cold, reaches operating temperature, no excessive smoke

104Engine performance under load — smooth, reaches rated RPM, no overheating

105Transmission — smooth engagement forward and reverse, no slipping

106Steering response — smooth, no excessive play or noise

107Sail handling — all halyards, sheets, and furling systems functional under load

108Point of sail — vessel tracks straight, balanced helm, no excessive weather helm

109Tacking and gybing — smooth, no rigging issues

110Instrument readings — speed, depth, wind instruments functional underway

111Professional pre-purchase survey — commissioned and report obtained

112Insurance survey / valuation — completed if required by insurer

113Haul-out survey — bottom, keel, rudder, propeller inspected out of water

114Final price negotiation — based on survey findings and defect list

Important Notice

This checklist is a general guide for inspecting a used sailing vessel before purchase. It is not exhaustive and is not a substitute for a professional pre-purchase survey conducted by a qualified marine surveyor. Vessel conditions vary widely by age, build quality, usage, and maintenance history. A professional out-of-water survey, engine survey, and sea trial are strongly recommended before completing any purchase. The buyer remains responsible for verifying all documentation, legal title, and the vessel's condition. Always engage a qualified marine surveyor and legal professional before signing a purchase agreement or transferring funds.