BLUEMOMENT

So, our boat is 48 this year and feeling a bit tired. We have ambitions to sail away for a few years and a part of me is worried that the fundamental structure of the boat might need checked out.
Perhaps I am just being paranoid?
If not, what would be the best way to go about satisfying myself that my keel bolts, lifting keel, chain plates, rudder tube, etc, are sound?
If I handed the boat over to a yard, what sort of figure might we be talking, and whereabouts would I have to take her (I don't think either of the Skye boatyards are able to do this).

Ideally I would like to take this on myself, but a worst case cost would be useful to know.

You need a surveyor who understands the structure and how GRP deteriorates to do the inspections if you wanted a competent opinion. However, to do it yourself is possible. There are good books on the market and second hand which would help you, do a search. There should be no real barrier to you doing the inspection and identifying potential faults and then asking an expert to look. There are specialists who can use ultrasonic machines to check GRP for internal flaws, the methods take into account the non homogeneous nature of GRP.

If it was me, with the boat out the water and the mast down, I would dismantle as much as possible, including pulling keel boats, dropping lifting keels and make a visual examination. Bright light and a selection of tools to probe and tap around bonded in fittings can at least reveal surface defects.

Ardfern would do that.