Key Findings from the Lady Sephora Insurance Survey Report

As a marine surveyor with years of experience examining vessels across European waters, I recently conducted an extensive insurance condition survey on the sailing yacht "Lady Sephora," a Scorpio 72 built in 1991. This thorough examination was commissioned in preparation for the vessel's planned voyage from Lefkada, Greece, to Marmaris, Turkey. I'd like to share my professional insights on this classic yacht and highlight the critical aspects of the survey.

About the Vessel

The Lady Sephora is an impressive Category A Ocean sailing yacht, designed by the renowned naval architect Robert Perry and built by Ta Chiao Shipbuilding Co. in Taiwan. At 65 feet (19.81m) in length and with a displacement of 114,000 lbs (51,710 kg), she represents the quality craftsmanship that made these vessels popular among serious cruisers. Her staysail ketch rig and fin keel with skeg-hung rudder configuration provide excellent stability and handling characteristics typical of bluewater cruising yachts.

Structural Assessment

One of the primary focuses of any marine survey is assessing the structural integrity of the vessel, and I'm pleased to report that Lady Sephora's hull was found to be in good structural condition. The solid fiberglass construction showed no evidence of significant deformation or failure. Moisture readings were within acceptable parameters (5-10 shallow and 10-12 deep on a relative scale), indicating a healthy hull with no concerning water ingress.

I did observe some osmosis blistering in the gelcoat layer, but importantly, these blisters did not extend into the underlying laminate. This is common for vessels of this age and class and doesn't compromise the structural integrity of the hull. The encapsulated GRP keel was properly integrated with the hull structure, showing no signs of movement or detachment.

Systems Under Restoration

What makes this survey particularly interesting is that the Lady Sephora is currently undergoing a substantial electrical and mechanical refit. The six-cylinder Perkins 240hp diesel engine, along with several other critical systems, was in various stages of disassembly and restoration during my inspection. The fuel system was also being renovated with new access traps to facilitate cleaning after the discovery of diesel bug contamination.

This situation presented both challenges and opportunities in the survey process. While I couldn't conduct operational tests on many systems, I was able to examine components that would typically be hidden from view. This allowed for a more detailed assessment of the vessel's mechanical foundation.

Critical Recommendations

Based on my findings, I outlined several essential recommendations that need to be addressed before the vessel embarks on her planned journey:

1. Steering System: The partially disassembled steering system requires comprehensive testing and verification after reassembly to ensure full operational integrity.

2. Through-Hull Fittings: The seacock supplying saltwater to the forward toilet showed significant corrosion and requires replacement with a marine-grade bronze or composite seacock compliant with ISO 9093-1 standards.

3. Bilge Pumping System: The non-functional manual and electric bilge pumps need immediate attention. For a vessel of this size, I recommended a minimum of 2+ manual pumps, 3-4 electric bilge pumps, and 1 emergency high-capacity pump to ensure redundancy.

4. Electrical System: The vessel's electrical system requires methodical restoration, including proper securing of battery banks, systematic inspection and labeling of all wiring, and comprehensive testing once completed.

5. Anchor System: The anchor winch was undergoing restoration and requires comprehensive load testing before departure. Additionally, I strongly recommended carrying a spare anchor (40-60kg) with appropriate chain/rode for a vessel of this size.

   
   

Safety Considerations

Fire safety emerged as another area requiring attention. The Halon gas extinguisher in the engine bay should be replaced with an FM-200 (Heptafluoropropane) or equivalent clean-agent fire suppression system, as Halon is now banned due to its ozone-depleting properties.

The gas system also needed several improvements, including securing the copper gas pipe in the locker, replacing aged flexible hoses, and installing a dedicated shut-off valve at the cooker location.

Valuation

After considering the vessel's overall condition, inventory, and market factors, I assessed the fair market value of Lady Sephora at €250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Euros). This valuation reflects both the inherent quality of this well-built ocean cruiser and the investment needed to complete the ongoing restoration work.

Conclusion

The Lady Sephora represents a classic example of a well-constructed bluewater cruising yacht that, with proper attention to the recommendations outlined in the survey, should be well-suited for her intended Mediterranean passage. The journey from Lefkada to Marmaris (approximately 479 nautical miles) would typically take 6-8 days when accounting for overnight stops and rest.

As with any vessel undergoing significant restoration, the key to success lies in methodical completion of the work, thorough testing of all systems, and careful attention to safety equipment and procedures. With her solid hull and proper oversight of the refit process, Lady Sephora should provide her owner with many more years of reliable service on the open sea.

Steven Truss, MIIMS

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