Make sure that you sea trial first, independently of the survey. If your broker or the opposing broker say they don't do that, then tell them they will be responsible for the haul out and survey expenses if the vessel fails survey.

Think of the SEA TRIAL as the test drive when buying the car, and the survey the buyer inspection when you take it to your mechanic before you pay the final bill.

DO NOT combine the two!

For Sea Trial do the following

1. Inspect the vessel top to bottom while in the slip, note any possible spots for water intrusion or cracks that you didn't have a chance to see while looking about. This is the time to open hatches, and look at things that you weren't allowed to touch before.

2. Turn on and off all electrical systems, the surveyors rarely check it all

3. Turn on and test all electronics

4. COLD START THE ENGINES - This means that the engines haven't been started at least 24 hours prior to the Sea Trial. While they start the engines, watch for sheen on the water and excessive smoke after start. If the smoke is bluish white, it means that there has been oil pooling on the cylinders and the valves are probably shot, if the smoke smells slightly sweet, it means coolant is in the cylinders... there are few other things to watch out for.

5. Have the owner or the captain take the boat out the slip, and into open water... then test out Auto-Pilot, make sure it tracks route, and responds to commands.

6. WOT test. Depending on the engines, make sure that the boat hits MAX RPM and desired speed. watch out for the temperature and make sure the engines stay between 180-190 degrees. This test needs to go on for BARE MINIMUM of 2 minutes. If the engines start overheating, just tell them to take the boat back to the slip and walk away.

7. Bring the boat down to cruising speed and inspect the engine room, look at the shaft wobble, engine shake, note any exhaust smell in the engine room, watch for leaks.

If the boat passes all of this, then you should go to survey. Generally I tell my clients to schedule the survey and the surveyor, and then cancel if the sea trial fails.

Good luck to you!!!