which does the former part of this sentense mean?
I hope you’ll take this in the spirit in which it is intended, but you really should have checked the boat first.

Question

Answer

Someone is just trying to prepare the listener for criticism. It's a stock phrase that really doesn't mean anything.

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If you are trying to be helpful, and your friend perceives you as being helpful, then your friend has taken it in the right spirit. That is, the spirit of helpfulness.

I hope this helps.

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Thanks guys^^