Five things to check on a sea trial
Testing a boat before you buy it is an important part of the process, especially if you're looking in the second-hand market. A sea trial is a great opportunity to get familiar with a boat's character before you choose to take the plunge and make a purchase.
Here are five things you should check during a sea trial.
1. Power and performance
If you're buying new, make sure to get a test boat that has the same make and model engine as the one you're looking at buying. While everything else will be the same, testing a boat when it has a different engine is not going to give you any insight to the way it handles.
2. Speed to plane
The speed to plane is a function of both the engine and the shape of the hull. As such, testing it can tell you a lot about a boat. This is extremely important if you're planning to use your boat for water sports - if the boat is struggling to plane even without significant load, it's going to struggle when trying to pull a skier out of the water.
Repowering the boat is an option if you love everything about it except its sluggishness. Just remember to factor this cost in when making a purchase decision.
3. View from the seats
Besides the obvious things like the capability of the engine, there are things you should check out on a boat that mightn't immediately spring to mind - checking the view from key points on the boat, for example. Most important is the view from the helm, or drivers seat. Poor visibility here will make your boat driving experience more frustrating than it needs to be.
4. Electronics
Testing all the electronics on board is a wise idea on a new boat, but is absolutely vital on a second hand one. Make sure they all work and also that you're able to use them (or at least able to learn).
5. Stability
Finally, make sure you get a handle on how the boat sits in the water. There are a few aspects to consider here. First is the roll period. This is a measure of how long it takes for the boat to roll from one side to the other and back again. Slow rollers tend to be more comfortable in rougher seas, whereas fast rolling boats can get a bit hectic.
For more information on boat buying, come down and visit us or contact a member of the Hunts Marine team today.
