PrePurchase Survey??

[bearmcnally]

Bears Opinion
You can do a basic survey yourself ? Firstly you need to work out what Top Hat you like ? a Mk1 or 2 or 3 .
I'll use the Mk 1 as an example for obvious reasons! ... You can pick-up a Mk1 for under 10 grand these days and for that price why bother with a per-purchase survey . If you are looking at one 15 grand plus maybe ? but why would you pay that for a Mk 1 ?.

You can pick up a lot just by having a look at what is on the market and don't worry about the colour that is the least of the worry .You can normally see what condition a Top Hat is in by looking at it and don't worry about the antifouling. As Egret II hadn't been antifouled for over 19 months when I bought her and she is a sound yacht for her age. Faded gelcoat ? polish it! Soft decks, only ever saw one and that was around the U bolts where water got in between the glass and the plywood . Have a look a the mast step for rust and how badly rusted . The mast ,corrosion around fittings surface or more serious Standing rigging for rust and broken wires same for running .Check the deck hardware play with the winches do they move freely and don't wobble.have a look at the deck track bolts for rust and corrosion .When inside take a big whiff as you can smell rot check main bulkhead for rot and the glassing coming away from the plywood, pay attention to the deck and where it joins the hull look for water stains and cracks etc . Check skin fittings for corrosion ,hose clamps for rust etc Tired cushions and sails can be replaced so I wouldn't put them in the inspection as a problem . If you get serious about a Top Hat then have a look at the sails especially the head sails if she doesn't have a furler because the the condition of the headsails will tell you who hard the boat has been driven and if the sails where changed at the right time.Have a tug /wobble the the stanchions and make sure the deck is solid around them .
I think if you find one that does take your fancy and you have it taken out of the water then you should have somebody have a look at her bottom .Yet again ! when Mk1's are hitting middle age I don't think there would be many surprises !!!

Basically I haven't seen a bad Mk1 ,I have seen some rough ones

Cheers Bear

[Irishwolf]

Thanks for the heads up Bear!

I am going to go over a few TH's during the next couple of weeks prior to purchase.

Purchase WILL happen just when and which are the outstanding elements!!

I am looking at two boats one at Mckay Marine and the other in Belmont Newcastle. David Mckay has been very helpful with advice and the direction for Survey and conditions.

Russell