Buying a Cruiser:
If you want a cruising boat, her record is of no consequence, unless it is irretrievably bad. If she has a habit of capsizing, or won’t go to windward, you don’t want her. If she consistently leaks, you don’t want her. If she draws a lot of water for her length, and can’t get into your harbor except at high tide, you don’t want her. If she is in bad repair, or is very old, you don’t want her. If you haven’t sufficient personal knowledge to tell by looking at her how she will handle, ask some man who has sailed her, or who has seen her sail; better ask several, and take a general average of their testimony. Then go and have her thoroughly looked over. If she is hauled out, sound her bottom. Get the owner to let a builder bore her. If the chips come out clean, white and papery, she is sound in plank. Examine the rabbet at stem and stern and all along the keel; pierce that stick, both inside and out. Sound the mast. Go below and look at the heels and heads of the frames. Don’t forget the deck, cockpit floor and staving. An experienced man can tell from the appearance of the unpainted wood whether it is sound or not. Then examine her spars, gear, blocks and sails; last of all, her cabin fittings, etc.