Buying a Yacht in Greece?

 

OSMOSIS Check

With the introduction of higher quality isophthalic and vinyl ester resins in the production of GRP boats, osmosis damage to newer boat models has become less common. Nevertheless the risk is still a concern for many owners or potential buyers of used boats.

A careful and recurring inspection of the hull as part of a survey can reveal weak points in the osmosis protection of a hull and thus avoid expensive renovation cases in good time.

For this purpose, we use high-quality moisture measuring devices, specifically designed for FRP testing, as well as active thermal imaging technics in case of suspected Osmoses presence.

Nauticat 40 Pilothouse for Sale for Survey in Greece

Just a heads up for my readers. I will be booking inspections in Preveza and Lefkada from for the end of August 2021. If you have your eye on a Yacht in the Ionian Islands drop me an email. 

Todays Survey was a Pre- Purchase inspection on this sort after Nauitcat 40 in Basimakopoulos Shipyard in Kilada in the Peloponnese and it is conveniently situated close to many popular holiday destinations such as the Cyclades, the island of Crete, and Argosaronikos.

Built in 1986, Designed by Sparkman & Stephens. These are quality and comfortable blue water cruiser yachts. Don't confuse them with the later Nauticat design, these had a big hull, more on the lines of the Vagabonds's and Formosa's. The last one they built was in 1993 so a short span of production. 

This Sparkman & Stephens design still has the inside helm and raised aft deck typical of all Nauticats, but has a more performance cruising under-body, lower profile pilothouse and finer entry.

This 40 has a solid teak planked deck, screwed & bunged over a solid glass substrate. Since the deck screws don't penetrate through the 5/8" thick fiberglass, if the bungs are ever compromised like this example, or screws loosen, cabin leaks typically do not occur.

This Vagabond in the same yard has a similar hull shape. Another example below. The greatest advantages of solid glass over balsa, or synthetic cored hulls, is hull strength, resistance to impact damage, and water resistance.  

Classic sailing yacht Vagabond 47 version

Surveyors comments: These hulls were hand built in glass laminate to a Lloyds standard with a matt and roving layup. Longitudinal stringers give the hull extreme strength. The hull is thick so check for blisters or any type of osmosis. Most have been epoxied so check warranties. 

The secret behind Nauticats is quite simple. A severe Nordic climate and the experience gained in building and delivering more than 2900 Nauticats have resulted in yachts admired by experienced yachtsmen all over the world. 

Thinking of buying a Yacht in Greece. Drop me an email at steventruss1@aol.com

I am a long established independent English Marine Surveyor based in Greece, specializing in the field of yacht surveying and consultation. I have been Surveying boats since 1995. By 2021 I have completed over 3700 surveys, which includes 100's of types of sail and power boats. I carry professional indemnity insurance cover. We have been Members of the International Institute of Marine Surveying for over 20 years. The IIMS is recognised as the leading worldwide professional body for marine surveyors and has a membership of around 1,000 professionals in over 100 countries. 

With many years experience representing the interests of both Purchaser and Vendor, and the problems which may arise in the process of purchasing a Yacht are fully understood. I am well placed to bring this process to a successful conclusion.

Gibsea 422 Yacht for Sale and Survey in Leros Greece

This French built 1993 Gibsea 422 Sloop. Designed to eat up the miles shorthanded, and built by Gilbert Marine (FRA), and designed by Joubert-Nivelt. In common with other Gib’seas of the time, fittings are lightweight. She is light and easy to handle and a good family coastal cruiser.

Amel Maramu for Survey and Seatrial in Leros, Greece

I am back in sunny Leros for a week! 

Todays Survey assignment was for Pre-Purchase which also includes a Valuation and a full Sea trial. 

Renowned as one of the most perfect cruising yachts ever created, the Amel Maramu and her big sister the Supermaramu (which I have also Surveyed) have all the features that one could possibly wish for to explore the most remote corners of the world in safety and comfort. 

The centre cockpit provides a well-protected area with a large amount of space to relax, dine and to keep the skipper company underway. It is fitted with removable clears and sunshades to cater for all sort of weather.

With a short draft for a boat of this size at only 6'5", she is ideal for tidal areas or for sailing amongst reefs, while her keel is still substantial enough to give her very good tracking ability and pointing remarkably high when sailing upwind. 

This jobs all about Island Hopping!

Inside, the Amel’s magnificent skills and attention to detail are visible everywhere. The timberwork and joinery is exquisite. The wide-open salon centres around a versatile table with wings on either side that can be lifted to accommodate more guests, each side seating 4-5 people comfortably. 

Storage is exceptional throughout and will easily rival a 60’ cruising yacht. The 2-cabins / 2-bathroom layout is perfect to give the owners plenty of privacy and for their guests to also have a little ‘apartment’ of their own forward, with a door separating their cabin, wardrobe and head area from the rest of the boat.  

A very large quarter berth in the salon has a swing-out backrest that is hinged in a way to become a comfortable lee-sheet, making this berth an ideal spot to rest between watches at sea. 

The galley is very large and designed in a way to be safe to use in all conditions. As with the rest of the boat, storage is abundant and well-thought of , so to have room for everything you need on a long voyage without cluttering the boat.

The aft cabin is exceptionally large for a boat of this size, with a proper queen size berth, huge amount of storage, very good headroom and it’s own access to the ensuite head / shower area.

Survey conclusion and review: 

All Amels, since 1967, have been built with Amel designed biaxial fiberglass cloth. This is a flat woven fiberglass cloth that is much stronger in sheer and tension than conventional mat and woven roving laminates.

The hull is moulded in one piece incorporating one piece/non-spliced lengths of biaxial cloth running from bulwark, down through the keel/centreline, and up to the opposite bulwark. In the same fashion the next series of laminates run from the bow lengthwise to the stern, again, employing one piece/non-spliced length of biaxial cloth.

The deck assembly is built in a similar fashion. While the hull is a sold fiberglass laminate with no core, the deck assembly employs a core of vertical end grain balsa in strategic horizontal areas to enhance stiffness and is insulation from heat and noise. There are also substrates of "Iron Wood" in the deck assembly where cleats and the windlass are installed to easily accommodate the increased compression and shearing loads in the foredeck.

After all the structural assemblies are completely installed, the separately completed deck assembly is joined to the hull, (again, while it is still in the mould) with six layers of the same biaxial cloth used in the primary lamination, around the entire hull to deck interface. 

What is accomplished, effectively, is the elimination of a conventional hull to deck joint. The hull and deck are married with a homogeneous fiberglass matrix, which insures a strong and lee free hull and deck join for the entire life of the vessel.

Found an Amel Yacht in Greece and need help? 

Drop me a message at steventruss1@aol.com

 

Latest assignments Yacht Surveys Greece

Just a quickie for readers. We will be in Leros in the Aegean Islands from the 10/6/2021 to 17/6/2021 Surveying a number of Cruisers. 

Any one looking at Yachts in this area please message me to see if I can help you. 

Leros Island

Fountaine Pajot 48 Catamaran Survey - Sea Trial and Review

Todays assignment was in Lefkada and a Pre- Purchase Survey and Sea trial on this Fountaine Pajot 48 Catamaran

Its worth watching the video below to see how they build their hulls. We used the same technology in New Zealand when we were building light weight racers. 

 

Some video of the sea trials. An hours fast sail from Preveza to Lefkada for the 'Haul Out' and then an hour back. 

Sea trials were conducted to measure the vessel's performance and general seaworthiness. Testing of the vessel's speed, manoeuvrability, equipment and safety features are also conducted. 

Beneteau 57 2004 for Survey

Todays assignment in Preveza was an Insurance Survey on this 2004 model Beneteau 57. She was fitted with every conceivable extra from air con to washing machine and maintained to a high standard.

With large fuel and water tank capacities she is ready to go long distance cruising anywhere in the world or around the Mediterranean.

The hull is solid GRP with balsa rib bands an a structural hull liner bonded and laminated to the hull.
Deck is balsa sandwich for rigidity, weight saving and thermal sound insulation.

Stripped out ready for Survey. 

Yanmar 4LHA  4 cylinder 4 stroke engine of 160 h.p. fitted with 2 alternators 1 x 24 volt 80 amp 1 X 12 volt 80 amp. 

 Folding Max Prop through a 40 mm stainless steel shaft.