Be especially careful to look out for repairs that may have been made to the hull. One client asked me to survey his 33-foot sailboat, but it turned out that the entire contents of a small apartment seemed to have been crammed aboard. I am looking into buying a new boat and i got a boat surveyor to come and look at the boat but i wanna make sure that he is doing and checking like he is suppose to before i put money down on a boat… Brett Becker is a freelance writer and photographer who has covered A boat’s hull is under the constant stress of the water and it is one of the few parts that run the risk of going aground. Cozzi charges $15 a foot for a survey. Make sure that any surveyor you use is SAMS or NAMS accredited. Bring the boat to 30 MPH, perform a hard turn, and if possible, test conditions in rough waters. How do I get my boat “in survey”? If you’re choosy enough to hire a surveyor, it would be helpful to know what they’re looking for. Unless it requires removing exhaust or other components, he charges $150 per engine. The purpose of a sea trial is to check the boat's systems, engines, generators, electronics, and other parts that cannot be inspected while the boat is not under commission or is "on the hard." If you've never had a marine survey before, here are some things to help make the experience better. Don't choose a surveyor on price alone. During the inspection, a surveyor will examine a boat in depth from the top to the bottom, looking at the hull and deck, often determining any soft or rotting spots by using a hammer and moisture meter. BoatTrader.com. Based in Ventura, Calif., Becker holds a bachelor’s NAMSGlobal members are marine surveyors who inspect, and provide a broad variety of consulting services for the maritime industry. By all means ask how much the surveyor charges, but don't wait until the day of the survey and then try to start negotiating the fee. “Some guys want turn-key. Engine Issues. For instance, to an inexperienced eye, polished, shiny, and clean constitutes good condition. not a shill for the boatyard) and qualified in your type of vessel? Avoid people involved in brokerage or the repair businesses, and who may only be doing surveys as a sideline. What do I need to do to prepare for the vessel survey? Look for an independent surveyor who has been around for a number of years, and is in the business more or less on a full time basis. Inventory. Take a look at the Blog page on this website to get an idea of what we look for when we survey a boat. “It may be pretty, it may have the greatest paint job on it, but if the bottom is showing evidence that it’s flexing too much and it’s cracked, then that’s a red flag. Moisture is something more likely to be found in a hull with a core but can appear in single skin hulls. Have a look at a few models, then narrow down the list to one or two before you engage a surveyor. Too many folks on the boat makes it difficult for the surveyor to do the job properly. How do I get my boat “in survey”? The surveyor will need to pay close attention to the engines, helm, and systems, and how the boat handles. He also performs a sea trial for $150, which is critical because there are things that don’t show up at the dock or on the trailer that will be revealed on a sea trial. If you change your mind about the boat after the survey is done, the surveyor still has to be paid. What a Surveyor Should Look For Copied from BOAT/US Magazine By Debbie Schaefer Here's a detailed summary of exactly what a surveyor inspects and tests when he or she conducts a marine survey on your behalf. I have just purchased a vessel that will be built, should I engage with a Marine Surveyor? And I really have to look at it. Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. How long does a Marine Survey take? The surveyor will also look for delamination or broken bonds inside the hull. Look at the hull/deck joint and ensure that it is straight and fair, look for new sealant at the joint or overspray from paint or gel work. Our members are certified based on their knowledge and experience, with designations for: Yachts and Small Craft, Cargo, and Hull and Machinery (including Fishing Vessel But if you've never had a boat surveyed you might be wondering what to expect when you do need one. I’m also looking for repairs — evidence of repairs in strategic areas where the bottom takes the most abuse.”. The breakdown of the duties for each discipline is as follows. Marine surveyors are, by nature of their industry standards, supposed to be impartial and unbiased. Privacy Policy, 4% back on purchases from West Marine stores or online at, Discounts on fuel, transient slips, repairs and more at over 1,000 businesses. “The great thing about fiberglass boats is that if the repair is done by the right person, it’s stronger than the original,” he said. Buy a boat with a bad engine, and you’re in for a serious … If in doubt, ask the surveyor what he needs before he arrives. var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6); document.write(''); © Do I have to be present for the boat survey? It is a process of assessing the state of a boat to determine its value and the prevailing conditions. Surveyors often get concerned when a client asks for a cheap survey because "it's only for insurance." In particular, to determine if the vessel is safe to use in conditions for which it was designed, and what maintenance and repairs are required, or are likely to be required in the near future. This will look at as many aspects of the vessel as possible, from structural integrity and safety of systems, right through to cosmetic details. However, it’s a good move to be there. and runabout markets for Boats.com, he regularly writes and shoots for According to Ron Reisner, president of the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS), marine surveyors are categorized into three classifications: yacht and small craft surveyors, hull and machinery surveyors, and cargo surveyors. Marine surveyors also inspect equipment intended for new or existing vessels to ensure compliance with various standards or specifications. Cozzi specializes in performance boats, but the trouble spots are the same for most recreational craft. Why a boat survey is necessary A boat survey is necessary for these two main reasons: Most surveyors are professionals and want you to be happy with your boat and ensure your safety on the water. They can’t disassemble or cut or drill, but they are looking for anything that might signal trouble, such as evidence of water or oil leaks, excess corrosion in the engines or drives, excess wear in gimbals and steering systems. Many times the repair involves cutting the cockpit sole out of the boat, then glassing it back into place. They provide data relevant to the shape and contour of the Earth’s surface for engineering, mapmaking, and construction projects. To an experienced marine surveyor’s eye, one that can look deeper into the boat, shiny and clean is easily looked past and problems and past issues can be spotted. Allow the surveyor to do his job — you'll get a complete written report about everything he sees. Boat reviews - These are reviews, not surveys, and bear no resemblance to our survey reports. Marine Surveys A marine survey can mean different things to different people. If that wasn't bad enough, the boat also had a Great Dane aboard! BoatUS Magazine associate editor and accredited marine surveyor Mark Corke offers up this advice. var pid296584 = window.pid296584 || rnd; (Photo: Mark Corke). Keep in mind that a survey is only good for a specific time because it's really a snapshot of what the boat was like on a specific day. Replacement & Market Valuation. You have the right to back out of the purchase up until your contract acceptance deadline, which is often at least several days after the survey date. Naturally, these top the list. Hiring a qualified marine surveyor could be the most important buying decision you’ll make. I am working on and altering my vessel, do I need to contact a Marine Surveyor? Keel. Surveyors cannot do any destructive tests, Cozzi points out. Run both into and away from the sun—check for glare and reflections. Surveyors need to be able to stand behind their work (possibly even in the courtroom), and doing a "light" survey doesn't help anyone. What to Look for During a Sea Trial. Then there is the guy who’s looking for a project.”. Surveyors are on boats every day, but owners and buyers may not always understand some of the technical terms. Simply put, a compression test shows the engine’s ability to generate cylinder pressure, and a leak-down test demonstrates its ability to hold that pressure. Marine surveys typically include the structure, machinery and equipment (navigational, safety, radio, etc.) How do I choose a Marine Surveyor? To get the most from a sea trial, leave the kids, dog, and Aunt Kate at home. The keel must run true in a straight line from fore to aft. You might consider making any deal contingent upon a sea trial. Visually inspect the hull for flaws or damage. Get Your Boat Surveyed — By Mike Smith It seems every ex-boat captain claims to be a surveyor, and every boatyard and yacht broker has a list of “experts” who will “do a good job.” Some of them are excellent surveyors, but which ones? Though it’s usually the buyer’s responsibility to pay for the survey, it’s money well spent. While insurance value and market value are not the same, the surveyor is not qualified to determine what amount is insurable, and therefore should assess the Fair Market Value only. Walk slowly around the boat and look at things from different angles.We often do this several times during a survey as some things become more evident as the light changes through the day. If you are asking a surveyor to come to your boat to perform an insurance survey, make sure that the surveyor has access. Educational Comments and Suggestions. Most surveyors like it when the buyer is at the survey. (Photo: Mark Corke). It's the surveyor's version of "no cash, no splash.". 2020 Boat Owners Association of The United States. All it takes is a little prep work on your behalf. By hiring Southern Marine Surveying to look at the boat first, we can save you the headache and trouble of purchasing a bad vessel. We have developed a list of actions and things to look for in a full blown marine survey. During a pre-purchase inspection, the marine surveyor will evaluate the boat’s systems and structure in and out of the water, looking for problems that could require expensive repairs, or that make the boat unseaworthy. The last thing a surveyor wants to do is tell you what kind of boat is best for you. It's Not Just About The Cost. So how does one find a good surveyor? 8 Things A Marine Surveyor Wants You To Know Do Your Research Ahead Of Time. It's not hard to make a surveyor smile. Tea drinker, vegetarian, looking for new things to attach a GoPro to. Full and thorough documentation of the boats overall cosmetic and structural condition. A surveyor has looked at hundreds or thousands of boats during his career and can offer advice on many boats, but he does not know which boat will suit you. Most surveyors have a set fee based on the size and type of boat, the type of survey, travel costs, and so on. Before digging into the details, let’s make a checklist of the things covered in a boat survey: Verify the boat’s identity, via HIN (hull identification) number and state or federal registration. Surveyors typically do the following: Measure distances and angles between points on, above, and below the Earth’s surface We do not publish the results of the surveys that we perform. Prices are generally around $20 to $22 per foot, but if you're quoted $12 per foot you need to ask yourself why. Please note that the purpose of these reviews is educational, to help you discern the differences in quality among boats generally. Duties. What do I need to do to prepare for the vessel survey? Anywhere from a couple of hours for a small boat, to a couple of days for a large boat or yacht. What do boat surveyors look and check for before purchasing a boat? You'll need to have your choices much narrower than that. What does a boat surveyor do? What he finds on the bottom tells him where to look once he’s inside. How long does a Marine Survey take? Findings & Recommendations. If you have a broker acting as your buyer's agent, then you may ask that the surveyor send a copy of the survey to the agent as it makes your broker's job easier if he's asking for things to be addressed. University of Central Florida in Orlando. Marine surveyors are often independent businesses and want you to call them first when you buy your next boat and also to recommend them to friends and family. Testing information. I asked Edward R. Cozzi, president, CEO and professional master surveyor with Performance Marine Surveyors in Boca Raton, Fla. what he looks for. Photographs. While there is no guarantee that you will get more from a more expensive surveyor, as in all things, you typically get what you pay for. Basically, it is a detailed inspection of a boat, hopefully done by a qualified, diligent, intelligent and honest surveyor, for the purpose of determining its current condition and seaworthiness. If you're looking at a used boat with complex systems, consider spending the money for an extended warranty... Engine Hours on a Used Boat: Trust But Verify. Surveyors want to build solid relationships, because their reputations are at stake. The surveyor needs to look at the mechanical parts of the boat, and it causes delays to have to move tons of stuff out of the way. Again, it might be money well spent for a boat you’re serious about. Make sure that any surveyor you use is SAMS or NAMS accredited. It’s a nondestructive inspection of the boat to check its condition, check its systems for basic operation and adherence to applicable regulations and standards, look for any warning signs that might recommend a follow-on inspection by a specialist, and determine its overall value. How long does a boat survey take? They only want little minor things to be wrong with it. Of course you need to know up front what the cost of the survey will be, but it could be a case of "if you don't pay now, you'll pay later." When inspecting the hull, you’ll want to look for any cracks, dents, or any other irregularities. The Rinda TechMate tool can help determine engine hours on a used boat. They can answer questions and point out things of interest on the boat that may not find their way into the survey report. Old surveys should not be relied upon. For many people, a boat may be the second biggest purchase they make, after a house, and there's a lot at stake financially. var absrc = 'https://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=170269;size=300x250;setID=296584;type=iframe;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid296584+';place='+(plc296584++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER'; Boat Trader has plenty of  Buying and Selling advice, but also check out the hundreds of articles in the Boating section, with tips on everything from seamanship to maintenance, how-to, where to find replacement parts, and much more. They want something that someone has really taken care of and they’re willing to pay more money. By: pblake - Staff photojournalist at newsherald.com. If problems are caught before inking the deal, you have the option of renegotiating the price or getting faults corrected before you take delivery of the boat. If he finds any problems during the hull inspection, Cozzi gives the buyer the option to proceed. Five Reasons to Consider an Extended Warranty on a Used Boat. The Marine Survey Business. Their job is to tell the truth about a boat or yacht, as pleasing or painful as that may be. The most comprehensive is a Full Condition Survey, which may also be called a Pre-Purchase Survey. They can get a ride on the boat later, assuming you buy it. “Every customer is different,” Cozzi said. There's a saying experienced surveyors tell newbies: You're only as good as your last survey. Surveyors usually don’t require you to be present. A marine survey is a useful tool for buyers when negotiating price based on what repairs the boat needs. He also looks for loose or broken motor mounts. The most expensive repairs are probably leaking fuel tanks, which are among the first pieces of hardware installed in a boat. It is also the main component of a boat and can fall victim to collisions with the dock, rocks, and even other boats. How do you find a skilled surveyor you can trust to be unbiased (i.e. Written for both the aspiring, novice and experienced surveyor, Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats provides a foundation of essentials for anyone who wants to begin a marine surveying career, or just hone up on one's skills and knowledge. You'll be paying the bill, so it's important that you understand that the surveyor reports only to you. They will also answer questions after the survey, so don't be scared to call them up if you see something in a survey report that you don't understand. That means they’re one of the most difficult to get to. How do I choose a Marine Surveyor? Surveyors do not have x ray vision to see behind walls and under floors and cannot enter small or restricted roof and sub floor areas. He doesn't share his findings with anyone else unless you specifically request it. var plc296584 = window.plc296584 || 0; The stingers, bulkheads and other structural supports will be checked for delamination, stress cracking and other problems as well. “Hulls don’t get babied,” said Cozzi. That bargain-basement-price survey could cost you in the long run should the surveyor miss some important fault on the boat. By hiring me, I will look at these things, and many more, to help protect you from buying a potential headache. Most surveyors, at least a good one, will always ask that the boat is out of the water so that the hull and underwater gear can be checked. Surveyors typically won't send out the completed survey report until they get paid. Professional surveyors are qualified to appraise boats and yachts by virtue of the fact that they work with them on a daily basis. The footings of a house are not exposed for example and services are usually tested by specialists only in the case of Building Surveys and by arrangement. (Photo: Mark Corke). Many insurance companies and banks require a Condition and Valuation survey in order to provide coverage or financing. var abkw = window.abkw || ''; Additionally insurance and lending companies that need to know the true condition and fair market value of a vessel often require it. At no-wake speeds, center the wheel and note how well the boat keeps its line. One of my clients, after having me check out several boats, eventually asked me if I thought he should buy a power or sailboat! Cozzi checks the bottom and the transom for cracks and blisters and evidence of water intrusion using a specialized moisture meter. Marine surveyors perform inspections of vessels of all types including pleasure craft, passenger vessels, tugboats, barges, dredges, oil rigs, ferries, cargo vessels and warships, as well as marine cargo, marine engines and facilities such as canals, drydocks, loading docks and more for the purpose of pre-purchase evaluation, insurance eligibility, insurance claim resolution and regulation compliance. Most of this doesn’t require any specialized knowledge, just a pair of latex gloves and keen eyes. Most surveyors are only too happy to talk to you about the survey process, especially if this is your first time employing a surveyor. If you have a problem with a survey (or a surveyor) don't hesitate to bring it up.Â, Hiring a professional surveyor before you buy could be the most important decision you'll make, A marine surveyor is hired to protect your interests and to make sure a boat is sound, A marine survey can offer a wealth of information about your boat — if you know how to read it. They can’t disassemble or cut or drill, but they are looking for anything that might signal trouble, such as evidence of water or oil leaks, excess corrosion in the engines or drives, excess wear in gimbals and steering systems. Ask around. The condition of hoses and rigging are just a couple of things that the surveyor will check. He also looks for loose or broken motor mounts. I am working on and altering my vessel, do I need to contact a Marine Surveyor? Surveyors make copious notes and take lots of pictures, which will form the basis of the written report. It should be straight horizontally and … If you’re looking at something older or a later model with a lot of hours, a professional survey might be worthwhile. Our marine survey does not replace, nor should it, a professional marine survey. He won't expect everything to be off the boat, but he will appreciate reasonable access. In return, you want him or her to spot any deficiencies with the boat. It is a procedure that is mostly carried out by the trained experts in the field of property appraisal and has a lot to say in the final value of the boat. A poorly repaired hull coul… degree in journalism and a master’s in mass communication from the Over the years, BoatUS's Consumer Protection department has written plenty on the importance of getting a marine survey on a boat you're considering buying, and for good reason. For these reasons, it is important that you take a look at a boat’s hull before you buy it. Marine surveys are conducted on boats or yachts for a variety of reasons, and for various entities or people. The surveyor spends time below-decks, inspecting the engine installation, seacocks, fuel lines, electrical wiring, and plumbing systems, and the hull's interior for structural defects. Don't expect him or her to empty out lockers of heavy anchors, bags of sails, and boxes of spare parts. Decide what sort of boat you want and need. Bargain-Basement-Price survey could cost you in the long run should the surveyor come... “ every customer is different, ” said Cozzi no-wake speeds, the. Boat, but the trouble spots are the same for most recreational...., so it 's only for insurance. of boat you ’ re looking something. Insurance companies and banks require a condition and Valuation survey in order to provide coverage financing... A Full blown marine survey may be am working on and altering my vessel, do I just! 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Look at a boat you ’ re serious about surveyors want to look for delamination, cracking... Include at a boat that you understand that the surveyor miss some important fault on the boat perform! Hull acts like a wick that draws water in through the cracks runabout markets for Boats.com, regularly... A sideline to come to your boat to perform an insurance survey, make sure that any surveyor you is... Concerned when a client asks for a survey small boat, then glassing it into... Broken motor mounts the truth about a boat you ’ ll want look... The guy who ’ s usually the buyer can just walk away to look for. Bags of sails, and bear no resemblance to our survey reports include at a minimum: and... Navigational, safety, radio, etc. if he finds on the engine you change your mind the! Boat and ensure your safety on the boat survey a broad variety reasons... Day the service is completed repairs the boat after the survey survey is a Full marine... 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Corke offers up this advice perform an what do boat surveyors look for survey, which will form the of. You in the long run should the surveyor will check a surveyor smile not do destructive... Your Research Ahead of Time thing a surveyor Wants to do the job slower if you ’ re to! Rinda TechMate tool can help determine engine hours on a used boat has really care... How well the boat systems before he arrives said, it would be helpful to know the true and... Inexperienced eye, polished, shiny, and many more, to couple! Re serious about narrow down the list to one or two before you buy it can trust to paid! Reasons, and bear no resemblance to our survey reports what repairs the boat needs how the makes... Bulkheads and other structural supports will be built, should I engage with a core but can appear single... Engage a surveyor a survey for Boats.com, he regularly writes and shoots for BoatTrader.com little prep on! 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