Sea Trial Checklist (Printable)

Take this on every test drive, new or used. Use the same list and similar conditions for each boat you compare.

Not a survey. This checklist is a memory aid, not a marine survey or a mechanical inspection. On a used boat, a marine surveyor often runs the sea trial as part of the survey.

Bring

Notes on how you will use the boat
Phone for photos, video and timing
Sunglasses, to judge glare as you normally would
A life jacket that fits you, if you prefer your own

Before you leave the dock

Booked enough time to warm the engine fully and run every check
Brought a boating-savvy friend, or a marine surveyor (larger or used boats)
Typical passengers and gear on board, or noted the difference
Capacity label checked: your crew and gear fit within it (monohulls under 20 ft, except sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatables)
Required safety equipment on board (life jackets for everyone, fire extinguishers) Safety gear by length
Used boat: started from cold; noted how easily it starts and any unusual smoke or noise
Gasoline inboard or sterndrive: ran the blower

Underway as the driver

Acceleration and time to plane; does the bow block your view?
Performance with your load; asked about larger engine options
Hard turn each way at a moderate speed, where safe and legal (no bogging, no prop slip)
Rough water: crossed wakes at different speeds or made S-turns
Rattles and vibration
Slow-speed tracking at no-wake speed with the wheel centered
Glare on windshield and dash, driving into and away from the sun
Every electrical item: nav lights, bilge pump, electronics, stereo, livewell pumps
Docking and close-quarters maneuvering (if allowed)

Underway as a passenger

Bow seating deep and secure for adults and kids
Cockpit layout lets people sit together and talk
Comfort: not reaching for handholds all the time
Noise: can talk without shouting
Storage: enough and easy to reach
Seats and cushions comfortable for a full day

Extra checks on a used boat

Engine temperature and other gauges steady once warm
Trim and tilt run through their full range
Steering smooth, no binding or excessive play
Bilge after the run: no water, oil or fuel
Livewell and baitwell pumps work
Trailer boats: met at the ramp to watch it load and unload; trailer checked

After the sea trial

Wrote impressions down straight away
Used the same checklist and similar conditions for each boat compared
Used boat: offer made subject to a satisfactory survey and sea trial Marine surveys
Ran the full ownership numbers True Cost tool