Where the sea trial fits in a purchase
The sea trial takes place during the inspection period set out in the purchase agreement, after price and terms are agreed and the deposit is held in escrow. It usually sits alongside the survey, sometimes before it, sometimes on the same days.
Under the MYBA form widely used for larger yachts, the sea trial commonly comes first, and a buyer who is not satisfied by it may be able to withdraw at that stage. Under many American purchase agreements the trial and survey run together within a single acceptance period. The guide to the yacht purchase agreement explains these structures in more detail.
The agreement should also say who bears the costs. It is common for the seller to provide the captain, crew and fuel for a trial of reasonable length, while the buyer pays for the surveyor and any specialists who attend.
Who should be aboard
The yacht is run by her own captain and crew, who know her and remain responsible for her safety during the trial. The buyer, the buyer's broker and the buyer's surveyor normally attend, and for larger or more complex yachts an engine specialist and sometimes an electronics technician join as well.
The seller's broker is often aboard too. Keep the party focused: a sea trial is a working inspection rather than a day out, and a smaller group makes it easier for the surveyor to move through the yacht and ask questions of the engineer.
Before the day, agree the plan in writing: the departure time, the route and the tests to be carried out, and ask that the engines be left cold overnight. Share the surveyor's checklist with the captain in advance so that the crew can prepare equipment such as the tender and cranes. Good preparation turns a few hours at sea into a thorough inspection rather than a pleasant cruise.
What a yacht sea trial tests
A well-planned trial follows a sequence, starting before the lines are cast off. A typical program covers:
- Cold start. Engines and generators are best started from cold, which reveals starting problems, smoke and noises that warm engines can hide.
- Performance under load. A sustained run at or near full power, checking engine speeds, temperatures and pressures against the manufacturer's figures.
- Handling. Steering, turns at speed, stopping, and close-quarters maneuvering with thrusters.
- Systems at sea. Stabilizers, generators under load, air conditioning, water makers, navigation electronics and communications.
- Deck equipment. Anchor windlass, cranes or davits, tender launch and recovery, and passerelles.
- Comfort. Noise and vibration in guest cabins, the saloon and the wheelhouse at cruising speed.
What to watch for
The surveyor and specialists will record the technical data, but the buyer's own impressions matter. Notice how the yacht feels in a sea, whether she is quiet at the speeds you will actually cruise, and how easily the crew manages her. Ask the engineer about recent work, recurring issues and the maintenance schedule.
Oil samples are often taken from engines and generators after the run, when the oil is warm and well mixed. Laboratory analysis can point to wear or contamination that would not otherwise be visible.
Weather is part of the picture. A trial in flat calm tells you little about seakeeping, and one in heavy weather may be unsafe or inconclusive. If conditions are unsuitable, it is usually better to agree a new date within the inspection period than to proceed regardless.
After the trial
The sea trial findings are read together with the survey report. Some points will be minor and expected in any yacht in use. Others, such as an engine that will not reach its rated speed, persistent overheating or unusual vibration, may call for further investigation before a decision is made.
It also helps to write down your own impressions on the day, while they are fresh, alongside the professionals' notes. Small observations, such as a door that rattles at speed or a cabin that runs warm, can be raised with the seller before acceptance rather than discovered afterwards.
Depending on the agreement, the buyer may then accept the yacht, accept her on condition that specific items are put right, seek a price adjustment, or reject her within the agreement's terms. Notices must be given in writing and within the agreed deadlines, so it helps to have the survey and trial scheduled early. The guide to the yacht survey covers the inspection side of the process.
Planning a sea trial with Daniel
Daniel arranges and attends sea trials for his buyers, coordinating the captain, surveyor and specialists so that the time at sea is used well. For the wider buying process, see the guide to buying a yacht, or start with a private conversation about what you are looking for.