If you see this on a sailboat, walk away

Thinking about buying a used sailboat? Before you pay for a marine survey, Practical Sailor editor Tim Labute has some advice to make sure the boat is even worth inspecting.

In this video, we look at seven major used sailboat problems that can turn a good deal into a very expensive mistake, including soft deck core, rotten bulkheads and chainplate structure, keel-support damage, mast-step problems, hull delamination, structural mast repairs, and aging cored hulls.

If you’re searching the used sailboat market, comparing sailboats for sale, or learning how to inspect a sailboat before buying, these are the red flags you need to understand. A used boat survey can uncover a lot, but knowing what to look for during your first sailboat inspection can save you time, money, and a very painful refit.