Hi Christopher,
Hopefully you won't be disappointed. Our boat is lovely and we won't part with her.
Look out for:
Rudder shaft leaking - under the aft cabin bed on the quadrant you will see it. Look out for water, and or brown rust stains. Just to fill you in, some boats were built with the with the stainless steel rudder tube (into which the shaft fits) using the wrong adhesive to bond it to the hull. Ask if the rudder tube has been replaced/re-bonded. If there is a leak, then the rudder must be dropped and the tube removed and re-bonded. It isn't cheap. Also the seals on the rudder shaft - look for them weeping - cost for new ones about £70 + fitting + VAT
Check bilges - keel bolts are usually all fine, you may see some surface rust on the keel nuts, just check it is not too bad. You can replace them if they are and the backing plates, one by one without taking her out of the water.
Saildrive - actually the sail drive helps with manoeuvring so no issues. The rubber seal needs to be replaced every 7 years according to Volvo, although the ones they take out look as good as new. Ask when it was last done. Allow £1k for a yard job for this - maybe a little more.
Engine - has it been well maintained - usual caveats
Rigging - when was it replaced - some insurers say every 10 years, many boats go 15 or more without issue.
Sails - the furling systems generally work well, but as the sails wear there can be stiffness. Check all that.
Non teak decks - definitely the best choice
Teak toe rails, providing they are not split, a good sanding and application of Semco works wonders. "Is she a new boat" is often a question from the French.
Much of this is the same as for any boat.
Good luck
Kindest Neil
