Sails and deck hardware

Sails

• Cloth. Run a hand over it. Brittle, chalky cloth is sun-damaged. Dacron cruising sails commonly last 8 to 12 years in strong sun, depending on use and care.
• UV cover. On furling sails, check the sacrificial strip along the leech and foot.
• Stitching at seams, patches and corners.
• Shape. A sail that has stretched has a baggy, deep shape, and the boat points poorly.
• Battens, slides and cars work, and the reef points are sound.
• Cover and lazy jacks are in good order.

Ask a sailmaker to look at old sails. A new mainsail and genoa for a 40 ft boat are a significant cost, so reflect that in your offer. See Post-survey renegotiation: reduce, repair or walk away.

Winches and running rigging

• Winches turn smoothly and the pawls click. A winch service is routine.
• Lines are not chafed or hard, and the clutches hold.
• Furling lines run freely.

Anchoring gear

1. Windlass: run it up and down, hear it, and check the circuit breaker and the remote.
2. Chain: the galvanising should be intact, and the links not thin. Mark it by length, and note the total length.
3. Anchor: type and weight suit the boat, and the shackle is moused.
4. Anchor locker: drains and does not hide corrosion.

Deck hardware

• Stanchions and lifelines. Stanchions stand firm with no cracked bases. Lifeline wires have no rust at the swages, and gates close.
• Cleats and fairleads are bolted with backing plates, with no sign of lifting.
• Hatches and ports seal and have no stains from leaks.
• Deck core. Water around hardware can enter a sandwich deck. See Hull moisture readings and delamination.

Related guides

• Standing rigging and spars: when replacement is due
• Hull moisture readings and delamination
• The annual maintenance schedule and antifouling