
Sea Trials
There are a variety of circumstances under which it’s advantageous to carry out sea trials. Perhaps the most common, and the one with the most to lose if it’s not carried out properly, involves pre-purchase surveys and inspections. In other cases, sea trials should be carried out to diagnose a problem such as an unusual vibration or noise, inability to reach rated maximum rpm (or exceeding it), to search for a leak that occurs while under way, to test a new installation such as a depth finder, sonar, or autopilot, or for engine-related issues such as excessive fuel consumption, smoke, or overheating. In still other cases, sea trials should be carried out after major engine or running gear repairs and after a repower.