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Boat Surveyor Palm Beach – Important Things to Do When Buying a Used Boat

Buying a used boat enables you to purchase the boat of your dream at a fraction of the cost. Just like new cars, used boats don’t take the blow of depreciation as hard as new boats. You will be able to get a bigger and better-used boat at a fraction of the cost of a new boat. However, this doesn’t mean every used boat you find is worth buying. Some are in terrible conditions. To avoid spending money on a doomed vessel, always get a survey done by an experienced boat surveyor Palm Beach trusts. Here are the important things you should do before committing to a used boat. 

Investigate the current value

When you bring in a boat surveyor Palm Beach trusts, the first thing the surveyor will do is compile a thorough report on the exact condition of the boat. The report will help you know if major repairs were ever done on the boat and what kind of repairs need to be done. Second, the surveyor will help you understand the fair market value of the boat. This information is very important during negotiations. The marine survey will guarantee that you never pay more than you should for a boat.

Test drive

At times, during a marine survey, a boat surveyor may recommend a sea trial. If your surveyor doesn’t offer this, you should make time to test drive the boat before giving any commitments. A test drive helps you know how it feels to drive the boat on the water. The best thing is most sellers and dealers will allow you to take their boat on a ‘test drive’. This enables you to ensure the boat works and is a perfect fit for your needs. Don’t forget to bring along a trusted boat inspector or friend for the test drive. Their opinion will help inform your final decision.

Don’t over-shop

Common mistake buyers make is spending too much time looking for the perfect boat. While this will help find the best boats in Palm Beach, over-shopping will leave you confused. Moreover, if you keep shopping, you will end up losing out on a great deal. The important point to remember is you might never find the perfect deal and you have to negotiate price and features.

Get the documentation

Last but not least, never buy a boat that doesn’t have any paperwork. The proper documentation will help you know who the real owner is and how well serviced the boat is. Once you decide on the boat to buy, you should get the proper documentation including the bill of sale, title, proof of payment and any maintenance records. Ensure these documents are notarized. These documents help keep everything legal.

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Boat Inspector Palm Beach – What is Looked at in an Exterior Boat Inspection?

When you hire a boat inspector Palm Beachtrusts, he will inspect every inch of your boat. His work mostly starts with the inspection of the exterior. To do this inspection well, your boat may have to be lifted out of the water. This enables the surveyor to inspect the underside of the hull. But what exactly will the surveyor focus on when inspecting the exterior?

As aforementioned, unless you have specific requirements, the inspection of a boat starts with the visual inspection of the boat’s exterior. This helps the boat inspector Palm Beach trusts get a feel of the boat’s exterior condition, its space as well as layout. Keep in mind that the exterior is what keeps water from getting in the boat. If there are any issues, a catastrophe will be inevitable.

Check for damages or repairs

To understand the condition of your boat’s exterior, the surveyor will pay attention to any damages and major repairs that have been done. The surveyor will check for cracks, signs of major repairs, and discolored areas which show repairs were made.

Inspect the transom, decks, bilge and fuel tank

The transom is the area where an outboard engine would be mounted. If the surveyor finds waterlogged wood, this shows the area has major issues. While this issue is less common in modern boats, older wooden vessels are more susceptible to rot. The surveyor will also check the bilge area for signs of oil leaks, rot and warping.

Ensure the stringers are connected properly

The stringers must be connected properly to the hull. If they are not, the whole boat will be doomed. It is not easy to tell if the stringers are well connected. This is more so for an untrained eye. Your surveyor may use a torch or other specialized equipment to determine the integrity of the connection. Any damage or separation has to be treated with extreme wariness.

Rigging

Are you going for a sailing yacht? If you are, then you have to pay attention to the rigging and sails. These are very expensive to replace. Considering they are used regularly when cruising, you want to make sure they are in perfect condition. The rigging also has to be changed at least once every 10 years. Your surveyor will ask when the rigging was last changed.

These are just some of the areas that are inspected on the exterior. There are many more areas an experienced surveyor will look at. Make sure you get every inch looked at.

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Boat Inspection Palm Beach – What to Focus on in a Fishing Boat Inspection?

Are you planning on starting a fishing hobby? If you are and plan on fishing on lakes or in the sea, you will need a fishing boat. The perfect fishing boat is one that is more than 20 feet long. Such a boat is stable and makes fishing easy. The downside is such a boat requires a considerable investment. Before committing to a boat, it is always good to get a boat inspection Palm Beachtrusts. You need to bring in an experienced marine surveyor to walk-through the boat and report on any issue. The surveyor will also help you know if the boat is ideal for your desired use. But what exactly should a marine surveyor focus on in an inspection?

Condition of the hull

The first thing your boat surveyor should look at is the condition of the boat’s hull. Keep in mind that the boat is a vehicle designed to work on water. It is the work of the hull to keep the water out so that the boat doesn’t sink. If the hull is rusted or damaged in any way, it may not do its job perfectly. A boat inspection Palm Beach is thus required to examine the condition of the hull. Moisture meters and thermal imaging may be needed to make sure the hull is in good condition. the surveyor will also be able to know if any major repairs were done and if more requirements are needed to make the boat sea-worthy.

Engine condition and capacity

Next, the surveyor has to pay attention to the engine. The engine is what powers the boat. if the boat is underpowered, the engine will end up overheating and will eventually fail. On the other hand, if the boat has been overpowered, this may compromise its stability more so when the powerful engine causes the bow to rise. This reduces stability and increases the risk of capsizing in rough waters. The boat surveyor will also check to make sure the engine is in good condition.

Fuel tank

Whether you bought gasoline or diesel-powered engine, you have to make sure that there is enough fuel to run you the whole way. This is why the boat surveyor will take a look at the condition of the fuel tank and its condition. There is no harm in having a 79-gallon tank on a 20 feet long fishing boat. A secondary fuel tank will be an added advantage.

There are many others areas your boat inspector will look at when assessing your boat. At the end of the inspection, you will be provided with a survey report that helps make the best decision on a fishing boat.

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Marine Surveyors Palm Beach – How to Get the Most Value from a Boat Survey

Whether you are in the market for a boat or you are selling your boat, you will need the services of marine surveyors Palm Beachtrusts. The duty of the surveyor is to perform a thorough inspection of the boat and compile a survey report that helps you know the boat’s exact condition. All in all, for you to rip the most benefits from a boat survey, there are a couple of things you must do as a buyer or seller.

Keep a log of all maintenance invoices

As a seller, you want to make sure all relevant documents that pertain to the boat are present. That way you will make work easier for the surveyor more so when it comes to understanding the history of the boat. Clearing out personal items from the boat and getting them cleaned will further make work easier for the surveyor.

Let the surveyor know what you consider to be a red flag

As aforementioned, the job of marine surveyors Palm Beach trusts is to observe and create a report of their findings. If you don’t give them any special instructions, the surveyors will only follow textbook steps. To get more value out of the boat survey, you need to understand that the surveyor works for you. This means you can tell them what you are more interested in finding out. Start by letting them know what constitutes a red flag to you. This could include faulty engine mounts, moisture problems, and blisters. With this information, the surveyor will not only follow textbook steps but also pay attention to what you consider dire.

If there are deficiencies that will cause you not to pursue a boat, let the surveyor check those areas first. It is not uncommon for a marine survey to end abruptly. This happens when there is a clear defect that convinces the buyer there is no need to continue. When this happens, it is okay to agree on a partial payment with the surveyor.

Be present

This is the best piece of advice you can get. When you are present in a boat inspection, the surveyor will be able to show you their findings in person. You will also have the opportunity to ask any question and get clarification on anything. You should, however, note that it is not in the surveyor’s place to tell you whether to buy a boat or not. When you are present, you can also speed things up by helping by opening compartments, pulling the gear and cushions, and so on. You must, nevertheless, not get in the way of the surveyor. Give him or her enough elbow room.

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Marine Surveyor Palm Beach – Why Are Boats So Expensive?

If you are buying your first boat, you are probably reading this post because you didn’t know the cost that much. There is always that inevitable intake of breath when you first see the price tag. Boats are expensive both to buy and maintain. But is that high cost justifiable? To know what you are getting for your money, you first need to involve a marine surveyor Palm Beachtrusts. The surveyor will help you know if the boat you are targeting has been overpriced and if there are things you can use to bring the cost down. Here are some of the key reasons why boats cost so much.

Supply and demand

When compared with cars, boats cost way more. This can be attributed to the fact that cars are a necessity in the modern world whereas boats are more of a luxury. There is a low demand for boats than there is for cars. As a result, manufacturers don’t benefit from the economies of scale. They have to charge more for a boat in order to break even and make a profit. This causes the price of boats to go up. However, if you are after a used boat, the best thing you can do is look at the price of similar boats in your area and bring in a marine surveyor Palm Beach trusts to help you know the selling price of the secondhand boat is within the fair market value. The input of a marine surveyor will further help you know if the boat you are targeting has major issues.

Manufacturing costs

The overall cost of building a boat is the key reason why manufacturers cannot lower their costs. This high cost is obviously transferred to the consumers. The reason for the high manufacturing cost is the fact that, unlike cars whose manufacturing process is automated, most boats are built by hand. Moreover, manufacturers need vast shipyards where only a handful of boats can be built. The sheer size of boats and their complexity means skilled labor is needed. All these lead to a high manufacturing cost.

Power

The horsepower needed on a boat has to be massive. This too causes the cost of manufacturing a boat to be high. Moreover, whether a manufacturer is working on a powerful RIB, a slow-moving riverboat, or a racy day cruiser, a lot of research and development has to be put in. All this costs money that is ultimately transferred to the user.

The high cost of buying a boat is what forces most people to opt for secondhand boats. These are more affordable than brand new boats. However, for you to end up with a good boat, you will need the input of a marine surveyor in Palm Beach. Let him evaluate the boat on your behalf and pay attention to the details in the survey report. That information will help you know exactly what you are buying.

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Boat Surveyors Palm Beach – Questions to Ask Surveyors Before Hiring

One of the hardest things, when buying a boat, is choosing the best boat surveyors Palm Beach trusts. There are so many surveyors in Florida and they all promise the best and the most comprehensive services in boat inspection. The truth, however, is not all surveyors are equipped to do the job the right way. That is why you should learn to ask the right questions. Here are some of the most important questions you should ask a boat inspector before hiring.

Are you registered?

Anybody can claim to be a dependable boat surveyor. However, if they are not registered with any official surveying organization that regulates its members, chances are they will not do a good job. As you sit down to discuss your needs with boat surveyors Palm Beach, make sure you ask them about their qualifications. They should not just be experienced boaters but should also be a member of a surveying organization. Being part of a surveying organization means they adhere to certain standards.

What is your experience as a surveyor?

Experience plays a huge role in the competence of a marine surveyor. While they may have experience as boaters, if yours is the first boat they are inspecting, you can be certain that the services offered will be mediocre. The best surveyor to work with is one with loads of experience surveying boats. You also need to make sure the surveyor has experience working on vessels similar to yours. Simply put, the surveyor you should hire is the one with experience surveying the size, style, and construction of the boat you are considering. Keep in mind that there are specialist surveyors for all types of boats including sports boats, wooden boats, and sailboats. If possible, find a specialist.

Do you produce clear survey reports?

At the end of the survey, the marine surveyor will provide you with a survey report. This is the document that includes all the findings. If the survey report is not clear, it will not be helpful. Therefore, before hiring a marine surveyor, you need to ask them for dummy reports so that you can see the layout, details, and wordings they use. The goal is to work with a surveyor who creates clear reports with definitive opinions or recommendations.

How much do you charge?

Last but not least, you need to know how much the survey will cost. For this, you should request official quotes as well as the terms and conditions before signing any contract. You also want to make sure the surveyor carries indemnity insurance.

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Marine Surveyors Palm Beach – Guide on Buying a Boat

Buying a boat might seem the same as buying a car. However, while the two have some similarities, there are a couple of major differences. For one, when considering a used boat, you must work with marine surveyors Palm Beach trusts. The surveyor will compile a survey report that helps you understand the exact condition of the boat. If further examination is needed, the surveyor will recommend bringing in a mechanic or an electrician. This is unlike buying a car where a mechanic will provide you with everything you need. Vehicles are also less prone to water damage and although powerful, their engines and other components are less complicated.

If you have put aside some money to buy a boat, there are a couple of things you will need to do. The first is obviously to get the contacts of the best marine surveyors Palm Beach depends on. You will need their help when assessing the condition and suitability of the boat.

Choose a boat

When buying a boat, the first step is to choose the boat you want. This is not a small decision. You have to dedicate time and patience to find the right boat. The choice of a boat will depend on your boating experience, budget, and what you plan on using the boat for. You also have to decide on whether you need a motor or a sailboat. There are many tools you can use online to help you find the best boat. Speaking with a marine surveyor will help you identify the best boat for you.

View the boat

It is easy to find most of the boats for sale online. The mistake you can make is that of paying a deposit without first seeing the boat in person. It is only by viewing the boat in person that you will be able to determine if it is the right vessel for you or not.

Check the title documents

You don’t want to buy a stolen boat, do you? If you really like a boat, you need to ask the seller for the title documents. The goal here is to ensure the seller owns the boat 100%. Does the boat have any marine mortgages or liens? You also need evidence that shows the boat is either VAT exempt or has VAT paid.

Get everything in writing

If everything is in order, you need to sign a contract or a Sale and Purchase Agreement before paying the deposit. After this, you will be allowed to bring in a marine surveyor in Palm Beach to perform an assessment. Your surveyor may request a sea trial. If everything is okay, you can go ahead and complete the purchase.

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Marine Surveyor Palm Beach – Advantages of Buying a Used Boat

Once you decide to buy a boat, you will be torn between two options; to buy a brand new or a used boat. Both options have their fair share of pros and cons. In this post, we will be focusing on the benefits of buying a used boat. Keep in mind that with this option you will not be able to do away with the input of a marine surveyor Palm Beach trusts.

Cost-efficient

The biggest advantage of buying a used boat is that you benefit from the low cost. This option enables you to own a bigger boat at a fraction of the cost. This is a huge advantage more so if you are on a tight budget or need a bigger boat but lack the financial muscle. However, since used boats have wear and tear, you need to involve a marine surveyor Palm Beach to help assess its condition. An experienced boat surveyor will be able to inspect every inch of the boat and compile a report that helps you determine if the boat is a good investment for you or not.

No Depreciation

It is good to note that, unlike brand new boats, used boats do not depreciate as fast. The value of a brand new vessel depreciates by about 10% within the first year of buying it. This value will continue to go down every year. Used boats, on the other hand, are priced based on their accumulated depreciation. This means if you are going after a used boat that is 4 years old, you will be able to buy it at a discounted price of about 30%. This is a great bargain when you compare it with the cost of buying a brand new boat.

It is as good as new

There are so many used vessels that are in mint condition. They cost a fraction of the cost of a brand new boat and look as good as new. The only thing you need to do is make sure you get the boat evaluated properly. An experienced marine surveyor will be able to perform an inspection and report on the areas that need to be repaired or replaced. The surveyor will also help you know the fair market value of that boat. You can then use the survey report to negotiate a better deal with the seller.

Buying a used boat is the best way to go especially for new boat owners. You will get a boat that looks and performance as good as new at a fraction of the cost. The best thing is you will not have to spend as much on it and you will not feel the bite of depreciation.

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Boat Surveyors Palm Beach – Considerations to Make Before Buying a Boat

There are so many things that have to be done before buying a boat. This is irrespective of whether you are going for a brand new or a used boat. You are probably aware of the basic considerations you have to make such as the cost of hiring boat surveyors Palm Beach for an inspection, the size of the boat that you want, how much money you want to spend, uses, and other personal preferences. In this post, we will be looking at the less obvious considerations.

Time

As obvious as it may sound, time is one consideration aspiring boat owners forget about. In relation to time, you need to think about how much time you will be using the boat. If you only get out on the water once every few months, now might not be the best time for you to buy a boat. You will be okay with renting one out. This is because owning a boat comes with expenses. You will need boat insurance, set money aside for maintenance as well as deal with the depreciation. If you are not sure if you should buy a boat, renting one will help make up your mind. On the other hand, if you are retired and desperately need a boat for your new hobby, then go ahead and buy one.

Financing

Most people don’t pay cash for a boat. They make use of the many financing options that are available. To get financing, you will need to work with boat surveyors Palm Beach trusts. This is because most lenders will require a boat survey report in order to calculate how much money to lend you. Keep in mind that marine lenders have varying requirements. Reaching out to several lenders will help you identify the one that offers the best terms. In some cases, you will have to raise a deposit of at least 20% of the total value of the boat. Make sure you take a loan that you can repay.

Insurance

Another reason you will have to engage the services of a boat surveyor is for boat insurance purposes. Just like lenders, insurers will require a survey report. This helps them know how much your boat is worth. As you shop around for a boat, ensure that you focus on vessels whose insurance premiums you can keep up with. The insurance coverage you get will depend on the purchase price, age, and size of your boat.

Storage

You don’t plan on using your new boat on a daily basis, do you? You will need breaks. During this time, you will have to get your boat stored somewhere. Smaller boats can be put on a trailer while bigger boats will need to be stored in a boatyard. Boat storage costs money. Make sure you account for these costs before choosing a boat.

There are many more considerations you will have to make before choosing a boat. The aforementioned points will, however, get you started on the right foot. Make sure you involve an experienced marine surveyor throughout the boat buying process.

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Boat Surveyor Palm Beach – Considerations to Help Pick the Right Boat

If you are thinking about buying a used boat, you probably have learned a lot about the importance of working with a boat surveyor Palm Beach trusts. If you haven’t, working with an experienced boat surveyor helps you inspect every inch of the vessel you are about to buy. The surveyor will provide you with a survey report that helps you understand the exact condition of your target boat and if it is a worthy investment or not. However, it is not the job of a surveyor to show you which boat to buy. Instead, their job is to give you a clear picture of the boat you are considering. Now that you understand the role of a marine surveyor, let’s take a look at the considerations you must make in order to end up with the perfect boat.

Ready to sail or project boat

This is an important consideration you have to make. When shopping for a boat, you have three options: buy a brand new boat, buy a used boat that is ready to sail, or buy a project boat that you have to put in work before setting sail. In all three scenarios, you need the input of an experienced boat surveyor Palm Beach recommends. The surveyor will help you know if the vessel is in the condition you think it is in. In addition, surveyors can see through cosmetic upgrades meant to blind buyers.

Sail or motor

This is yet another important choice you will have to make. Your decision will depend on your personal preference. If you are an inexperienced boater, the motorized boats will be a good choice. They are easy to drive. Sailing boats rely on the wind. They are good for experienced boaters who want some quiet when fishing or cruising. What you need the boat for is what will influence if you need a motorized or sailing boat.

Uses

How do you plan on using your boat? It is hard to decide on the type of boat you want if you have no idea what you need it for. These questions will help you decide on what you need the boat for.

  • Do you need a boat that can be put on a boat trailer?
  • Will you be taking your entire family or friends on the boat?
  • Is your goal to impress business contacts and guests?
  • How much experience do you have in boating?
  • How much monthly boat loan can you afford?
  • Are you interested in water sports?
  • Do you need a multipurpose boat?

A lot goes into the choice of a boat. Working with a boat surveyor in Palm Beach will guarantee you never make the wrong investment.

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