 Powerboat Surveys |
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What Is A Marine Survey?Marine surveys can be referred to by a variety of terms: Marine survey. Pre-Purchase Survey. Condition and Valuation Survey. Boat Survey. Whatever it's called, it refers to a comprehensive inspection of a boat by an individual with expertise in evaluating the condition of boats. The marine survey evaluates many different aspects of the boat's conditions — providing many of the same evaluations that home appraisers, code inspectors, and fire marshalls perform when inspecting homes. Boat surveying is both an art and a science — some parts of the survey are straightforward, and some depend on the surveyor's ability to interpret certain aspects of the boat's condition — for example, is that water stain a result of a spilled beverage, or has some part of the boat leaked, either rainwater or a liquid from the boat's plumbing? After completing the boat survey, the surveyor will take anywhere from a day to a week or more to write up his report. He will provide you with a comprehensive written survey report detailing his findings and listing all discovered defects in the boat. Survey reports often include color photographs, charts, and diagrams to show you specifically where the problem or potential problem is located. The surveyor will include in his report his recommendations regarding required repairs that must be performed for the boat to be considered safe to operate, and recommendations on other repairs to ensure the boat meets accepted standards for reliable function and operation. Having a professional marine survey performed on a boat before you purchase it will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about purchase and pricing, as well as provide you with peace of mind about the vessel. A professional accredited marine surveyor will base his inspection and report heavily on recommendations of the >American Boat and Yacht Council, as well as rules and regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard and statutory requirements. The Federal Rules and Regulations for Recreational Boats, and the voluntary Standards and Practices for Small Craft, both available from the American Boat and Yacht Council, form the basis for most marine survey reports. Experienced marine surveyors often develop their own additional inspection items, as well. The surveyor will use a variety of methods to determine, to the extent possible, the condition of the boat's hull and superstructure, plumbing and electrical systems, mechanical operation, cosmetic condition, and more. The surveyor is limited to using non-destructive methods of inspection, of course, and cannot rip out decking or use other destructive techniques in performing the survey. Sometimes surveys reveal problems or possible problems that can only be evaluated thoroughly by using invasive or destructive techniques. This would require the explicit permission of the boat's owner. In the absence of such further inspection, you may decide not to purchase the boat, rather than risk buying problems the extent of which are unknown. The surveyor will power up and test electronic and electrical equipment, and will visually inspect accessible electrical wiring and connections. Marine surveys generally do not include removal or disassembly of electrical parts or components. Very few vessels of any age, once placed into service, meet all of the recommended standards for marine electrical equipment and installation. The corrosion and decay of the marine environment accelerate the aging of electrical components, particularly if the boat has been used in salt water. You should expect some negative findings regarding the electrical equipment; a good surveyor will note when the problems may lead to critical failures, fires, or explosions, which could have devastating consequences. In addition, the surveyor will inspect and observe the functioning of the boat's head and other aspects of its plumbing systems, and will visually inspect holding tanks and storage tanks, to the extent that they are accessible. He will also examine chain plates, through-hull fittings, sea cocks, and hatches. In addition to visual inspection and operational testing, marine surveyors use a variety of other tools and techniques during the survey. These may include touching surfaces, knocking, and listening to the resulting sound or echos, tapping surfaces or equipment with a small mallet, probing with a spike point, and testing with a moisture meter. The sounds the surveyor hears from knocking and tapping can reveal hidden wood rot, hollow areas, delamination, bonding failures, or other problems. The surveyor brings to such testing all of his prior experience with boats in general and that specific type of boat in particular to help him decide whether the resulting sound is normal, abnormal but harmless, or abnormal and potentially serious. Similarly, the surveyor brings his experience to bear in deciding whether a minor water stain might be the result of a spilled coffee or a serious leak somewhere in the bowels of the boat. Depending on the type of boat being surveyed, its age and condition, its onboard systems, and the surveyor's own preferences and habits, any or all of these methods may be used. Some marine surveyors offer more limited surveys, such as an external hull inspection or a partial survey. These types of surveys will be less expensive than a full marine survey, but it is very important that you understand what you are getting — and what you are not getting — in these surveys. Others types of marine surveys include the following:
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