43' Nautor Swan 43 Sloop Racers and Cruisers

Surveyor's Notes

The vessel was originally purchased by the present owner more than 16years ago, when it was almost 30 years old. the vessel, "Omuramba" has had a storied career, having early on been an ocean racer with a highly respected reputation. Subsequent to it's retirement from ocean racing, it completed a circumnavigation of the earth. The vessel was designed by Olin Stephens with Nautor Swan producing 67 of them between 1967 and 1972. For long distance ocean passages the hull shape is excellent, with a swept fin keel, a skeg hung rudder well aft, a fine deeply veed entry, and long overhangs. The resulting hull shape is very seaworthy and sea-kindly. Very few modern vessel are as comfortable at sea, less have the attractive lines, and none are as strongly built.

We have had many opportunities to examine this vessel in the past and have always been impressed with the durability of this vessel. The vessel was originally constructed 45 years ago, when fiberglass boat construction was a little understood medium. As a result, this vesse, and many other vessels of simular vintage, were extremely overbuilt, by modern standards. This resulted in very strong and durable vessels. We would doubt that very many of the vessels built in the present decade will survive 45 years.

During the time period between October 2008, and October 2009, the vessel was hauled and blocked at OxfordBoat Yard, where the vessel underwent a major restoration. The vessel was originally fitted with teak decks, which had been replaced once and possibly twice prior to the purchase by the present owner. Over the years the teak deck fitted had become very worn, and leaks inside the vessel had developed. After thoughtful consideration the owner made the decision that the sea kindly design and the robust construction justified the expense of a major restoration. As a result of that decision, the teak decks and deck hardware were removed in toto.

Soundings were made and core samples taken of the deck structure proving that the foam coring in the deck structure was still in very good condition. The deck surface was ground back to provide a good bonding surface and then overlaid with two layers of biaxial fiberglass cloth and polyester resin, restoring the watertight integrity of the deck. With the completion of the deck laminations, the entire hull and deck structures will filled and faired and then painted with Awl-Grip and Awl-Craft polyurethane paints. The teak decks were not re-fitted as watertight integrity and reduction of weight high on the structure was deemed more important than appearance.

Meanwhile, the mast, boom and rigging was completely disassembled and inspected. Numerous components were found to have deteriorated or to be suspect. If the component was found to be even suspect it was repaired or replaced. After all repairs had beed completed the rig was reassembled and painted with Awl-Grip polyurethane paint. New conduits were internally fitting to the mast extrusion. All new conductors were fitted as well as LED navigation lights. All of the standing rigging was thoroughly examined for integrity, with the replacement of one of the backstay insulators required. After the vessel was launched, the rig was fitted and properly tuned.

Mechanical restoration included replacement of the propeller shaft, coupling, cutlass bearing and stuffing box. The Max-Prop was returned to the manufacturer for reconditioning. The transmission was sent out for a major overhaul. New isolation mounts were fitted when the engine alignment was completed.

Subsequent of the major refit of 2009, the owner has continued to make improvements to the vessel. In 2010 the engine was removed from the vessel and rebuilt. At that time the fuel piping system was renewed. During the winter of 2010/2011 the electrical system was extensively refurbished. A new alternator was fitted. In 2011, the owner modified the vessel with the installation of a holding tank. Having been built in 1970, when there were no regulations regarding waste disposal, a holding tank had never been incorporated in the design of the vessel.

In 2013, was hauled at Independent Boat Yard, St. Thomas, USVI. At that time we were able to examine the vessel's wetted surfaces. During the course of that examination it was discovered that the bolts securing the rudder gudgeons on the skeg were severly deteriorated. To effect repairs, the rudder was removed from the vessel. During the course of our inspection it was also discovered that the originally fitted stainless steel engine exhaust thru-hull had developed a leak as a result of crevice corrosion cracking. The thru-hull was replace with a fabricated fiberglass unit.

With on the hard, the owner elected to replace most of the hoses on the interior of the vessel. A new thtu-hull and seacock was fitted for the galley sink drain. (with the installation of this seacock and thru-hull, all six thru-hull combinations have been replaced over the past 10 years.)

When the rudder was re-fitted, new steering cables were installed. The rudder stuffing box was re-packed. A new cutlass bearing was fitted. With the aplication of antifouling paint and new zinc anodes, the vessel was relaunched. At this time it was our opinion that the wetted surfaces were in excelent condition. In our opinion, no defects to the wetted were observed that in any way imperils the seaworthiness of this vessel.

in the valuation of this vessel we have taken the following into consideration: 

• The BUC Book valuation for this vessel is approximately $85,000.00. This value assumes that the vessel is original and in a condition as would be be expected of a vessel built forty years ago and reasonably well maintained.
• The owner has spent approximately $180,000 in the restoration of the vessel. While it can not be expected that the full cost of the restoration can be recovered, a significant percentage of the costs can be reflected in the valuation of the vessel. Although the painting of the vessel and rig resulted in significant expenses, only relatively minimal increase in value is achieved. But the cost of the restoration of the watertight integrity of the vessel and restoration of the rigging integrity is, in our opinion, almost fully earned.
• a search of the internet revealed several restored Swan 43's of simular vintage listed for $200,000.00 and more.

Accordingly it is our opinion that the vessel in it's present condition has a Fair Market Value of approximately $230,000.00

This vessel, by design and construction, is truly a blue water cruising vessel. Long distant passages can be completed safely, and quite comfortably in this vessel. Structurally and mechanically, the vesel appears to be in very good condition, and bearing grounding or other destructive forces should retain it's integrity for many years to come.

Above was written by Timothy E. Davis, Staff Surveyor at Davis Marine Surveying and adjusting, September 5, 2014

• Material: Fiberglass reinforced polyester resin
• Hull: Solid lay-up, molded fiberglass
• Deck: Foam core lay-up, molded fiberglass, with applied in non-skid
• Frames: 2"X4" fiberglas encapsulated stringers, all bulkheads bonded to hull structure
• Deck Beams: Integral with deck molding
• Hull/Deck Connection: Bonded, bolted via aluminum toerail, and fiberglass overlaid
• Bulkheads/Condition: (6) all good as could be observed
• Bottom: Rounded, free of defect
• Keel: External Ballast, fin keel
• Stem Type: Spoon
• Stern Type: Counter
• Surveyors Comments: The vessel's structural integrity appears to be in excellent condition. During the course of the vessel's restoration in 2009 the teak decks were removed and the deck re-laminated with fiberglass materials. The originally fitted deck hatches were replaced with high quality Bomar and Lewmar units, requiring new teak hatches frames and associated hardwre. New aluminum alloy toe-rail extrusions were fitted further increasing strength of the hull/deck joint. The entire vessel was repainted. Most recently new floor timbers were fitted in the area adjacent to the nav station. It is our opinion that the structural integrity of the vessel is excellent.

• Type/Location: (1) Diesel engine under companionway
• Make/Model: Perkins 4-108
• Year: Installed summer of 2005, rebuilt in 2010
• Horsepower: 40 hp
• Vessel speed: 7 Knots
• Gear Type: Borg Warner, "Velvet Drive", rebuilt summer of 2009
• Cooling System: Closed system, raw water cooled heat exchanger
• Exhaust system: Wet exhaust
• Fuel Filters: Racor 500 FG
• Fuel Lines and Connections: Approved hoses and fittings, replaced new 2010
• Fuel Tank/Shape and location: (1) Fitted to hull, beneath cabin sole, (1) fitted aft of engine between quarter berths
• Condition: Good as could be observed
• How Secured: Framed in place
• Material: Stainless steel
• Capacity: Approximately 50 gallons between both tanks
• Shut-Off Valve Accessibility: Yes/good
• Fuel Fill Labeled: yes
• Electrically Bonded: No
• Vents/Overboard Discharge: Yes
• Stern Tub Bearing: Bronze/rubber cutlass bearing in bronze strut, new 2013
• Shft Log: Bronze Stuffing box, new 2009
• Propeller Shaft: (1) 1-1/4" stainless steel, new 2009
• Peopeller: (1) 2 blade bronze, Max-Prop
• Steering System: Destroyer Wheel, chainto cable, via bronze sheaves to quadrant on rudder post. System refurbished in 2013, including new steering cables
• Surveyors Coments: From our observations the vessel's mechanical systems appear to be in very good condition. During the course of the vessel's restoration, particular attention was given to the mechanical systems to dertimine their condition. As a result the transmission was removed from the vessel and professionally rebuilt. The entire drive train, from the shaft and coupling to the stuffing box and cutlass bearing were replaced with new components. Upon launching of the vessel, the completion of the rigging installation and tuning and the appropriate time period for the vessel to settle into it's floating shapeand configuration, the isolation engine mounts were replaced and the engine re-aligned. In 2010 the engine was removed from the vessel and rebuilt.

• Voltage: 12V DC and 110V AC
• Wiring Type/Condition: Marine grade stranded copper/good condition
• Batteries: (1) 4-D and (4) 6 volt golf cart lead/acid batteries, all batteries new in 2013
• Vented Box/Tops/Installation: Yes/Yes/Adequate
• Isolator/Shut-Off Switches: Selector switches
• Control Board/Circut Panel: (28) Breaker protected DC circuts, (5) Breaker protected AC circuts
• Navigational Lighting: All operational at time of survey, new LED lighting fixtures fitted 2009
• Interior Lighting: All operational at time of survey
• Battery Charger: Integral with Heart Freedom 30 inverter
• Alternator: 55 amp Delco, belt driven from engine
• Wind Charger: Air-X generator fitted in 2011
• Lightening Protection: None fitted
• Electrolysis Protection: Zinc an propeller shaft and Max-Prop
• Surveyors Coments: From our examination, as can be observed, the vessel's electrical system appears to be in very good condition. During the Winter of 2010/2011, while the vessel was in St. Thomas, USVI, the entire electrical system was refurbished. During the same period a wind generator was fitted on the aft staboard cornor of the vessel.

• Thru-Hull Connections: (6) below waterline
• Valve Type: Marlon ball valve and bronze/stainless steel ball valves
• Back up Plates: Yes
• Condition: All operational as tested
• Heads/Type: Lavac, manual head
• Marine Sanitation Device: 12 Gallons stainless steel holding tank fitted and plumbed in 2011
• Bilge Pumping Systems: Rule 800 with float switch, Rule 2000 (both new in 2013), and manual bilge pump
• Water Tanks/Shape/Location: (3) fitted under salon sole and quarter berths
• Condition: Good as could be observed
• How Secured: Framed in place
• Capacity: 62 gallons total
• Material: Stainless steel and polypropylene
• Labeled Fill: Yes
• Pressure Water System: Shurflo, on demand multi-fixture pump
• Surveyors Comments: From all observations, the vessel's plumbing systems appear to be in good condition. With the vessel hauled and blocked at Independent Boat Yard, extensive replacement of hoses and hose clamps was completed. A new seacock and thru-hull for the galley discharge was installed

• No. of Masts: (1) Keel stepped, single spreader mast
• Material: Painted aluminum alloy, re-painted in 2009
• Rig Type: Sloop
• Sails: Mainsail and Genoa on Profurler roller furling headstay
• Standing Rigging: All standing rigging closely examined and found to be in excellent condition, 2009
• Chainplates: All chainplates removed and inspected during the course of restoration
• Running Rigging: Double braided Dacron, either new or found to be in excellent condition
• Winches: (2) Lewmar 65's, (2) Barlow 28's, (2) Barlow 26's, (1) Lewmar 46ST, (1) Lewmar 40ST, (1) Barlow 20 and (3) Barlow 16's (all winches serviced in 2014)
• Lifelines/Stanchions/Pulpits: Double course stainless steel lifelines on stainless pulpits and stanchions
• Canvas Covers/Awnings: Suncover on Jib, Sailcover on Main, Awning and Dodger
• Surveyors Comments: The vessel rigging all apears to be in excellent condition. During the course of the vessel's restoration, the mast and boom were completely disassembled and every component throughly inspected. Many of the components were repaired or re-fabricated. New conduits were fitted inside the mast extrusion, as well as all new conductors. It was discovered that several fittings were installed without the employment of compression tubes as is accepted marine practice. Accordingly new compression tubes were fabricated and installed. All of the aluminum components were re-painted with linear alithatic polyurethane. A new mast step heel was fabricated, powder-coated and installed. All of the existing lighting fixture on the mast were replaced and a steaming light fitted to comply with international navigation lighting regulations. All of the vessel's winches were disassembled, serviced and re-built as needed. All of the sheaves in the mast were replaced. All existing blocks were replaced with Garhauer units of very high quality. All halyards and sheets were examined and in many cases, replaced. One of the backstay insulators was replaced as oit was deemed suspect. While the owner has spent small fortune on the restoration of the mast, boom and rigging components, it is our opinion that the monies were very well spent, resulting in a rig that is virtually indistinguishable from a new rig.

• VHF: Icom M100
• SSB: SEA 235, new in 2010
• Radar: Raytheon
• GPS: Furuno GPS Navigator GP32, new 2012
• Compass Plastimo Olympic 135
• Auto Pilot: Raymarine ST6002 and Aires windvane self-steering
• Depth Sounder: B&G Network Depth (Unit refurbished by Mfg in October 2012)
• Speed Log: B&G Network Speed (Unit refurbished by Mfg in October 2012)
• Wind Instruments: B&G Network Wind (Unit refurbished by Mfg in October 2012)
• Barometer: Barigo and unknown make, bronze
• Clock: (2) Weems and Plath and (1) unknown make, bronze
• Bell: Yes
• Horn: Yes, aerosol
• Search Light: Yes, Hand held 12V DC
• Charts: Charts of local waters, and much of the Caribbean Sea, Vessel also fitted with full set of charts on laptop computer, coupled to GPS
• Chart Table: Yes

• Location: To starboard of companionway
• Stove Type: Force 10, 4-burner with oven and broiler
• Fuel/Tank Location/Drains Overboard: (1) 10# propane fitted on cockpit locker (new 2013)
• Fuel Lines: Approved hoses and fittings
• Shut-Off Valve: Valve on tank and adjacent to stove unit
• Woodwork Protection" Adequate
• Ventilation: Adequate
• Refrigerator/Fuel Type: Engine driven and 110V AC
• Hot Water Heater/Fuel type: Raritan 6 gallon, 110V AC and engine heat
• Surveyors Comments: The vessel's galley is well equipped and well laid out for the vessel's intended usage.

Anchors/Rodes: (1) 20 Kg. Bruce anchor with 150' 3/8" BBB chain rode, (1) 20 Kg. Bruce anchor with 30' 3/8" chain, Spliced to 180' feet of 3-braid 5/8" nylon rode

Windlass Type: Lofrans Tigres

Wiring Condition: Good as could be observed

Dock Lines/Fenders: Adequate docklines and fendewrs

Surveyors Comments: The vessel was originall fitted with twin windlasses well aft of the bow. With the changes and restoration of the deck, it was decided that a single windlass with both chain capstan and a wraping drum would be an improvement in the ground tackle handling. Accordingly a Lofrans Tigres 12 volt windlass was fitted aft of the bow with piping to allow for storage of the anchor chain beneath the forward berths

• Portable: (3) 1A-10BC
• Location of Fire Stations: Hanging locker, adjacent to engine room, and in main cabin
• Last Inspected/Approvad Type: Purchased new 2014

• Life Jacket/No./Type: (4) Type I's, (6) Type II, (2) Type V inflatable harnesses
• Throwable Buoys/Location: Life Sling on stern rail
• Distress Signals: Yes, adequate quantity, unexpired
• First Aid Kit: Yes
• EPIRB: (1) 406 mhz EPIRB with GPS positioning, 2DCC3F8DBCFFBFF
• Life Raft: Avon 4-person, mounted on deck in fiberglass valise
• Tendor: 2013 8'6" Defender RIB265 with HIN DE100792C313 fitted with 6hp Evinrude 4-stroke outboard engine, model EVF6CS with S/N 81810737

The owner of the vessel has had extensive experience in offshore passage making over the past 15-years. Accordingly the vessel is outfitted with numerous spare parts and extensive safety equipment