24/7 emergency haul-out  ·  (360) 610-7577  ·  Anacortes & La Conner, WA

Free with every haul-out

The 18-Point Inspection

What we check, how we grade it, and why it is free

Every boat that comes out of the water here gets one, at no charge. An expert technician works a written checklist, grades every point, and you get the report — whether or not you spend another dollar with us.

It is not a survey and it does not pretend to be. It is the yard telling you honestly what condition your boat is in while she is already out and accessible.

Three classes

The list changes with the boat

A sterndrive runabout and a 45ft sailboat do not have the same failure points, so they do not get the same checklist. Fourteen points are common to every vessel. The last four depend on which class your boat falls into.

Powerboats 30′ and under

Sterndrives, outboards and trim gear

Power vessels over 30′

Thrusters, gensets and major systems

Sailboats

Keel joint, saildrive and standing rigging

Grading

Five grades, so you know what is urgent

A list of findings with no priority on it is just homework. Every point gets one of five grades, so you can see at a glance what needs doing now, what to watch, and what is simply fine.

Excellent

Good

Monitor

Attention

Critical

Excellent and Good need nothing. Monitor means keep an eye on it and expect it in a season or two. Attention means plan it in. Critical means do not launch without dealing with it — and we will tell you why.

The list

Fourteen points on every boat

  1. Bottom Paint / Coating Condition — Antifouling or silicone coverage, adhesion and remaining service life (Hull & Exterior)
  2. Hull Condition — Blisters, osmosis, gelcoat crazing, impact damage and structural integrity (Hull & Exterior)
  3. Metal Corrosion — External fittings, struts, shafts and hardware for galvanic and crevice corrosion (Hull & Exterior)
  4. Anode Condition — Remaining anode material, mounting integrity and electrical continuity (Corrosion Protection)
  5. Propeller Colour & Electrolysis — Prop surface for the pink or white discolouration that means electrolysis (Corrosion Protection)
  6. Bonding System Electrical Test — Continuity test across the bonding system, resistance between all bonded fittings (Electrical)
  7. Battery Load Test & AC Ripple — Load test on every battery, AC ripple voltage on the charging output (Electrical)
  8. Through-Hull Exterior — External through-hulls for corrosion, damage and fairing (Below Waterline)
  9. Through-Hull Interior & Seacocks — Seacock operation, hose clamps and valve integrity from inside (Below Waterline)
  10. Cutlass Bearing Condition — Play and wear in the bearing — shaft movement and rubber condition (Running Gear)
  11. Shaft Seal — Packing gland or dripless seal for leaks, alignment and wear (Running Gear)
  12. Coupling & Shaft Alignment — Coupling bolts, shaft straightness, engine-to-shaft alignment (Running Gear)
  13. Hose Condition — Below-waterline and engine hoses for cracking, swelling, softness and clamp security (Systems)
  14. Heat Exchanger — Zinc erosion, external corrosion, weeping and coolant condition (Systems)

Then four more for your class

Powerboats 30′ and under

Drive gear takes the punishment on a smaller powerboat, so that is where the extra attention goes.

  1. Outdrive / Sterndrive Condition — Bellows, gimbal bearing, U-joints, trim rams and gear oil for water intrusion (Drive System)
  2. Trim Tabs / Outboard Brackets — Actuators, hydraulic lines, pivot points and bracket hardware (Drive System)
  3. Navigation Lights & Electronics — Nav lights, helm electronics, gauges and wiring condition (Electrical)
  4. Safety Equipment & Bilge Pump — Bilge pump operation, extinguisher dates, flares, PFDs and required gear (Safety)

Power vessels over 30′

Bigger boats carry more systems, and more systems means more that can quietly stop working.

  1. Bow / Stern Thrusters — Thruster operation, tunnel condition, motor or hydraulic system and anodes (Systems)
  2. Topside / Gelcoat / Wax Condition — Oxidation, chalking, clear coat and overall topside presentation (Hull & Exterior)
  3. Generator / HVAC / Major Systems — Genset hours and condition, AC, watermaker and other major installed systems (Systems)
  4. Safety Systems & Bilge — High-water alarms, bilge pumps, fire suppression, CO detectors and emergency equipment (Safety)

Sailboats

The rig and the keel joint carry loads nothing else on the boat sees.

  1. Keel-Hull Joint — Keel bolt area, joint sealant, any cracking or movement at the interface (Structural)
  2. Saildrive / Leg Condition — Saildrive seal, leg anode, oil level and diaphragm integrity (Drive System)
  3. & Chainplates — Shrouds, stays, turnbuckles, chainplate bolts and deck penetration seals (Rig)
  4. Navigation Lights & Electronics — Nav lights including steaming and deck, instruments and wind gear (Electrical)

Why we do it free

Because the boat is already out

Half of these points can only be checked with the boat on the hard. She is up, she is washed, and a technician is already standing under her. Doing the inspection costs us an hour and tells you things you would otherwise find out at the worst possible moment.

You get the written report either way. Book a haul-out and it comes with it.

Call (360) 610-7577
Haul-out & travel lift