EXPERT OPINION

BEN SUTCLIFFE-DAVIES, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA) www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

Buying old yachts is not for everyone. The asking price is often attractive, but the running costs can be considerably higher.

A survey will be a must if you want comprehensive insurance cover and the surveyor can help give a reality check on costs. Look at the important items and check evidence of work done. Keel fastenings: look at their condition, for any working of the hull-to-keel joint and any signs of weeping. Rudders: I’ve had a few that have seriously softened up; at 50-plus years, it’s hardly surprising and not impossible to remedy.

Look carefully at the bonding-in of the bulkheads; some I’ve seen look like they may have had reinforcement to provide extra support of the mast step loading. Some long-term owners say they think it was built like that from new, but I’ve not seen it on all.

Try and see all the chain plate attachments, as I’ve seen a few that were quite poorly, again age related. Areas of load, including her mast step had plywood packers bonded in and these need a bit of careful spiking to check for moisture and softness.

Few will have original engines. When looking at replacements, check everything is accessible. On one I saw, in 10 years no-one had managed to check the anode or draw the heat exchanger core due to how it had been fitted. If you do buy one, watch your spending, as it will be easy to pour more in than you will recoup at resale or will be reflected in the insurance valuation. That said, done properly you will end up with a superb sailing yacht!