1. Trust Your Nose

As soon as you step aboard, smell the boat.

Watch for:

• Strong diesel odours

• Sewage smells

• Damp or mould

• Burning electrical smells

A clean, dry-smelling boat is usually a good sign of attentive ownership.

2. Look Into the Bilges

Lift floorboards wherever possible.

Watch for:

• Standing water

• Oil contamination

• Heavy rust staining

• Broken wiring

• Signs of recent flooding

A clean bilge often reflects overall maintenance standards.

3. Open Every Locker

Don't be shy.

Look for:

• Water ingress

• Mould

• Rot

• Corrosion

• Hidden damage

Many problems are concealed behind locker doors.

4. Check Cabin Doors and Drawers

Open and close them all.

If several doors don't shut properly it may indicate:

• Hull distortion

• Structural movement

• Previous grounding damage

• Long-term moisture issues

Not always serious, but worth noting.

5. Inspect the Engine Space

You don't need to be an engineer.

Look for:

• Oil leaks

• Coolant leaks

• Corrosion

• Loose belts

• Excessive rust

Ask for the engine service records.

6. Examine the Rigging

Stand back and look up.

Watch for:

• Broken wire strands

• Rust staining around terminals

• Bent fittings

• Missing split pins

• Loose mast fittings

If the owner cannot tell you the rigging age, budget accordingly.

7. Walk the Decks Barefoot

Soft areas can often be felt before they are seen.

Watch for:

• Spongy decks

• Excessive flexing

• Cracks around fittings

• Loose stanchions

Deck repairs can be expensive.

8. Look at the Waterline

Check whether the boat sits level.

Watch for:

• One side noticeably lower

• Excessive stern squat

• Unusual trim

This can sometimes indicate water ingress or overloaded storage.

9. Test Everything

Operate:

• Windlass

• Instruments

• Lights

• Water pumps

• Toilets

• Refrigeration

• Autopilot

If the owner says "it probably works," assume it doesn't until proven otherwise.

10. Ask Three Important Questions

1. When was the standing rigging replaced?

2. When was the engine last professionally serviced?

3. Has the vessel ever grounded, sunk, or suffered storm damage?

The answers often reveal more than the boat itself.

Biggest Red Flags

• Heavy dampness throughout the interior.

• Engine that cannot be started.

• Missing maintenance records.

• Water in the bilges with no explanation.

• Significant corrosion around keel bolts.

• Numerous systems "not currently working."

• Fresh paint in isolated areas without explanation.

• Seller unwilling to allow a survey or sea trial.

Remember

A first viewing is about deciding whether the yacht deserves a survey. If you find multiple warning signs, you may save thousands of euros simply by walking away before commissioning a professional inspection.

Steven Truss MIIMS often says that the cleanest boats are not always the best boats—but neglected boats nearly always hide expensive surprises.