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Survey Guidelines Followed by Boat Surveyors Palm Beach

If you have done your research on boat surveys, then you know that boat surveyors Palm Beach trusts simply observes and creates a report on their findings. They do not take components apart or repair damages. If there are issues that need more attention, the surveyor will request that you bring in a mechanic or electrician to take a closer look. The primary job of a surveyor is to help you understand the condition of a vessel and give recommendations on repairs and fair market value.

While their job is simply to observe and report, boat surveyors Palm Beach believes in do not just act on their own opinions. There are certain guidelines they follow. For example, when a boat survey is needed for purposes of insurance, an insurance provider will give a list of items that have to be covered in the survey. The surveyor also adheres to various other guidelines.

Code o Federal Regulations (CFRs)

This is also referred to as the ‘Coast Guard regulations’. The purpose of this regulation is to cover minimal requirements for safety equipment, sanitation, navigation lights, fuel and electrical systems, and engine. Although diesel-powered boats are free from electrical and mechanical regulations, they have to comply with other regulations.

American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)

These standards are less of regulations but more of recommendations. They carry significant weight in the vent of failure or accident getting in court. The standards are quite extensive and they cover about everything on a vessel apart from the basic design and construction. Bearing in mind that the regulations are comprehensive, most of the sections don’t apply to one individual vessel or another. All in all, most of the systems a boat surveyor sees will have relevant recommendations from the American Boat and Yacht Council.

National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)

While doing their work, surveyors will also need to cite standards from the National Fire Protection Agency. There are cases where a surveyor may use other sources. For example, a surveyor can judge the lifelines on racing sailboards based on Offshore Special Regulations which is the body that sets rules on offshore sailboat racing.

While these are just some of the survey guidelines a boat surveyor in Palm Beach will follow, judgement calls are still there. That is why it is so important that you only contact experienced surveyors with an impeccable track record. The set standards cannot help evaluate the significance of an elevated moisture reading or the level of wear in hoses or belts. Only experience will help a surveyor evaluate this accurately.

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Boat Surveyor Palm Beach – What Makes a Pre-Purchase Survey Important

Before buying any boat or yacht, it is always advisable to get a pre-purchase survey. This is a survey that is designed to give you a clearer picture of the condition of the vessel you are about to buy. Your boat surveyor Palm Beach will include a detailed breakdown of any defects found on the boat and recommendations on what needs to be repaired or replaced. However, for the survey report to be as comprehensive as possible, you need to work with the most competent surveyor in the business.

The person that requests a survey is the one that pays the surveyor. If you are the one hiring a boat surveyor Palm Beach to perform a survey on a boat you plan on buying, you will be the one to pay the surveyor. In most cases, the seller will require that you show commitment to the purchase of the boat by putting down a deposit. As you put down the deposit, make sure the sale agreement states that you will only buy the vessel if the survey report turns out satisfactory to you.

In most cases, the cost of paying for a pre-purchase boat survey is recovered by the reduction that is obtained at the purchase price. You can use the findings of the marine survey to negotiate a better price with the seller.

A pre-purchase survey report is a document that details all the findings of the surveyor. During an inspection, the marine surveyor will identify defects and provide recommendations for the remedial work that has to be done to correct the defects. The final survey report will include digital images of the surveyor’s findings. The images illustrate the problems that were found.

While it is easy to find a competent surveyor in Palm Beach, it is important that you find one that has experience inspecting vessels similar to the one you plan on buying. For example, if you plan on buying a boat constructed from GRP, you want to make sure the surveyor has experience working on such boats. This is important because the surveyor simply observes and listens then documents his findings. If he is used to inspecting only vessels constructed from aluminum, he will be ill-equipped to sufficiently identify issues on wood or GRP hull.

If you are going for a yacht, the surveyor you bring on must have experience inspecting yachts. Yachts are larger vessels and have more components. If yours is the first yacht he is inspecting, you can be certain that the boat surveyor in Palm Beach will miss many things.

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Why Do You Need a Boat Inspector Palm Beach?

Oftentimes, boat owners only contact a boat inspector Palm Beach when it is absolutely unavoidable. Unavoidable circumstances include when an insurance provider or a lender requires a survey report. They rely more on the input of their mechanic and electrician to ensure everything on their vessel is in perfect shape. What you may not know is that the input of a boat surveyor can save you time and money more so when getting ready to sell your boat or buy a used boat. To better understand why you should work with a marine surveyor, you need to understand when and why you should hire one.

The main reason people call a boat inspector Palm Beach is to perform a pre-purchase survey. This is a comprehensive survey done to understand the precise condition of a boat before buying it. The primary concern when hiring a boat surveyor, in this case, is to guarantee the safety of your vessel, crew and investment. While your lending institution or insurer will require a boat survey to be done, it is important to remember that the reason for working with a surveyor is to ensure the vessel is reliable, seaworthy, safe and with no major flaws.

Secondary concern when working with a surveyor has to be financial in nature. Buying a boat requires a significant investment. As a result, you definitely want the sale to go without a single hitch. If there is a problem with the vessel, an experienced surveyor will be able to find it and document it in the survey report. It is, however, your job as a buyer to make sure these problems are found before the deal is inked. That way you will either be able to avoid making a bad investment or use the documented problems to negotiate a better deal with the seller. Keep in mind that once you sign the sale agreement, you will no longer have any bargaining power in the sales transaction process.

Another reason that mandates a survey to be done is for the benefit of an insurer. After you own the vessel, you will pay for any damage that befalls it. To avoid spending a lot out of your pocket, you should get boat insurance. Insurance providers will require a survey report from a reputable surveyor.

You will have to get a survey done if you plan on using your boat as collateral for a loan. Lenders will want to know the real value of your vessel before accepting it as collateral.

Virtually any vessel will benefit from a boat inspection in Palm Beach. An inspection can be done even when you don’t plan on selling your vessel, using it as collateral or getting insurance. A survey can be done simply to understand the exact condition of your vessel and to avoid expensive repairs in the near future.

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Boat Inspection Palm Beach – Checklist for a Hull Inspection

Marine surveys can be a lot of fun. This is more so when you hire the right marine surveyor to help with the job. However, to avoid second-guessing the actions of a surveyor, you need to know what is looked at during a boat inspection Palm Beach. With a lot being considered, our focus in this post will be on what is looked at when inspecting the hull.

Blisters

Blisters are slight undulations that can be very hard to spot. As a result, during a boat inspection Palm Beach, the surveyor will check the hull from multiple angles and use special equipment. Blisters are mostly visible a few days after the boat has been moved out of the water. When the hull is dry, the blisters are easy to identify. They are seen as small wet spots. This is why in readiness for a boat survey in Palm Beach, your surveyor may recommend you get the vessel removed out of the water the night before the day of inspection or hours before the inspector arrives.

Cracks

The surveyor has to check for cracks between the keel and hull. The surveyor will mostly check the bottom pain for cracking. If the boat was removed recently out of the water, cracks will look like wet areas or discolored areas. It can be hard to detect cracks if the haul is not cleaned. The bow area and the front of the keel must be inspected for signs of stress or cracks.

Hollow spots

One of the things a boat surveyor does during an inspection is to check for soft spots. This is done using a special hammer and light. The surveyor taps on the hull and listens to the sound that is made. Thanks to experience, a surveyor can interpret precisely what a sound means. The bulkheads and water tanks make sharper tap sounds. If the sounds are dull, this might be an indication that there is water intrusion in the coring.

Chips or scratches in the gelcoat

Chips or scratches in the gel coat indicate stress or impact on the hull. The boat might have glanced off the dock or hit another obstacle. If there are scratches or chips, the surveyor will inspect if major damages were caused. The areas may be tapped to check if there is any structural damage. Special equipment can also be used.

Thru-hulls

The area around the thru-hull is inspected for signs of failed sealant, blockage or corrosion. Below water thru-hulls should not be made of plastic as that will be considered an insurance issue.

Rudder

To check its condition, the surveyor will shake the rudder to see how much it plays in the bearing. In good condition, the rudder should barely move. The rudder must also be tapped using a small hammer to note the noise it makes. If it is water-clogged the surveyor will recommend you get it repaired immediately.

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Tips for Choosing the Right Marine Surveyors Palm Beach

Regardless of where you live in Palm Beach, you are probably a stone’s throw from a boat surveyor. Florida is the boating capital of the US and as a result, there are more boats per square mile than any other part of the world. Boat surveyors know this and they have set up camp in the region. If you are looking for marine surveyors Palm Beach, it will not take you long before you find one. The problem, however, is that not every surveyor has what it takes to offer an accurate survey report. This is why you need to learn how to pick the right surveyor from the crowd. You can use the following tips to find the best surveyor.

Choose someone that evaluates boats frequently

A boat survey is more of an art than a science. The more hands-on experience marine surveyors Palm Beach have, the more dependable they are. That is why you should avoid professionals who offer boat survey services part-time. Part-timers, regardless of how many years they have been in the industry, are not qualified to offer a good boat survey. This is because using a surveyor who is not involved in the industry on a daily basis will affect the thoroughness of the final survey. Needless to say, there is no substitute for experience.

Find someone that has integrity

Being involved in boat surveys on a daily basis does not mean that a particular surveyor will be perfect for the job. Some service providers are known for their terrible customer relations skills. Such surveyors will be unwilling to answer your questions and make you feel left out. To avoid landing in the hands of such service providers, listen to what people are saying about a surveyor. Too many negative reviews are a red flag.

Ask for samples of their work

You will never know how good a service provider is until you take a look at their past work. A professional surveyor will be willing to offer ‘mockup’ surveys to help you evaluate their work. Check if the ample survey is thoughtfully crafted, extensive and demonstrates intense attention to detail. If it does, you are most likely considering the right service provider.

Ask for references

Upon request, a professional surveyor will provide you with several references. Make sure you contact at least three of the provided references. Ask about the professionalism, capability and quality of services offered by the surveyor. References help you get a sense of the surveyor’s track record performance. If your surveyor is unwilling to provide references, chances are they haven’t made a good impression on their clients.

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When Should You Hire a Marine Surveyor Palm Beach?

There are many reasons why you may have to work with a marine surveyor Palm Beach. In most cases, people contact a surveyor when buying a used boat. Their goal here is to get a pre-purchase survey. This is a comprehensive survey done to understand the exact condition of a vessel. Needless to say, a pre-purchase survey is very important when you don’t want to make a bad investment. It is the most thorough of all marine surveys. This is, however, not the only time you may need the input of a survey. You may need a surveyor for the following reasons.

Valuation surveys

It is good to know the exact value of your vessel, isn’t it? If this is what you need, you can bring in a marine surveyor Palm Beach for a valuation survey. In most cases, this type of survey is requested either for finance, insurance or taxation purposes. It covers the same scope as a pre-purchase survey with the primary focus being determining the ‘fair market price’ of the vessel.

Insurance survey

Just as the name implies, an insurance survey is done for the purposes of insurance. This survey is similar to a full condition survey only that focus is paid to the structural integrity as well as safety aspects of the boat. the purpose of the survey is to help the insurance provider assess the insurable risk of the boat. In most cases, this survey will be required by insurance companies for first entry at 5 to 10-year intervals.

In most cases, insurance providers are satisfied with the less-than-a-full surveys. Therefore, to avoid incurring unnecessary delays and costs, start by making sure that the boat surveyor you hire for an insurance survey will be approved by your insurance company. You should also ask the insurance company for the list of items that must be included in the survey report.

Damage assessments

This type of survey is usually requested by the underwriters. It helps the insurance broker to assess the extent and cause of a marine incident. The survey is more of an incident investigation. It is meant to identify the cause of marine loss. A forensic examination of failed components or systems helps identify the cause of failure. At the end of the assessment, the insurer will be able to know if the loss is covered by the insurance policy.

Corrosion survey

These are inspections done to assess the state of cathodic protection of a vessel. The purpose is to troubleshoot or prevent corrosion problems. The survey involves the assessment of onboard installations and dock installations where the boat is usually docked.

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Key Inspection Points by Boat Surveyors Palm Beach

If you are thinking about buying a used boat, you must ensure you have in-depth information about the vessel before proceeding with the purchase. This is because some repairs and upgrades can be very expensive. The input of boat surveyors Palm Beach can help you know what works and what doesn’t on a vessel. You can use this information to either negotiate a better deal with the seller or simply look for another vessel. But what exactly do surveyors look for in a boat inspection?

Engine

No matter how well maintained the haul and systems seem to be, if the engine has a problem, the boat will not perform. That is why a key area of inspection during a boat survey is the engine bay. If the boat is an inboard or sterndrive, the engine bay will give a lot of information on how well the vessel has been maintained. Boat surveyors Palm Beach look at how dry and clean the engine bay is. They consider if rigging is well-supported and neat and if it is free of corrosion and rust. The engine hours are also considered. The more hours an engine has, the more unreliable it might be.

Systems

The marine surveyor will then test the systems on the vessel. All the electronics will be fired up and the surveyor will pay attention to the generator, pumps, air conditioning, stereo, drive trim, trim tabs, lights and all other systems. The objective here is to take note of the systems that are not working and the ones that are missing. This information will be provided in the survey report.

Sea trial

Simply firing up the systems and engine will not offer adequate information to determine the condition of the vessel. That is why your surveyor will most likely recommend a sea trial. A sea trial helps evaluate how the vessel performs in real-world conditions. The surveyor will take note of how the engine performs and check for leaks. Anything that underperforms during the sea trial will be documented.

Get the boat hauled

Some areas cannot be inspected until the vessel is out of the water. That is why you should make arrangements for the boat to be hauled. This will help the surveyor to inspect the bottom for obvious defects such as damaged running gear, hull blisters, broken trim tabs, excessive fouling and so on.

A boat survey might reveal very grim details about your dream boat. You must, therefore, be prepared to walk away if major issues are revealed. Don’t let the excitement of owning the boat cloud your judgement. The case is the same if the price is way over your budget.

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Working with a Boat Surveyor Palm Beach

A boat surveyor Palm Beach is a specialist that has been certified to perform a boat inspection. They work for the hiring party. What this means is if the buyer hires a surveyor, the surveyor will be accountable to the buyer and vice versa if the seller hires the surveyor. The hiring party is also responsible for paying the surveyor. If you plan on hiring a surveyor, there are a couple of things you need to know.

Who to hire

There are many surveyors you can reach out to. Not all of them are certified. Some will offer big promises and deliver mediocre services. To avoid surprises, choose a boat surveyor Palm Beach that has significant experience inspecting boats that are similar to yours. The right surveyor will also be willing to speak to you to answer basic questions, provide references as well as supply samples of past surveys to help you gauge their competence. You should, however, not expect a surveyor to answer specific questions without first assessing your boat. You should also not expect the surveyor to tear components apart to have a look inside. That is the work of a mechanic or electrician.

Before hiring a marine surveyor in Palm Beach, you should speak to at least three surveyors. This will help you know the kind of services that various surveyors offer and help you pick the one that is the best fit. At times, based on the type of survey you need, you may end up needing the services of more than one type of surveyor.

What is inspected

Knowing what the boat surveyor will be inspecting can help you be at peace throughout the survey. The first thing your surveyor will do is find and note the Hull Identification Number (HIN) as well as the federal registration marks. A routine inspection will include the following:

  • Taking moisture readings in the deck and hull
  • Checking for blistering or delamination
  • Inspecting the transom, bulkheads and stringers
  • Reviewing the electrical systems and wiring
  • Reviewing and testing the plumbing
  • Checking the condition of underwater gear such as propellers, struts and shafts
  • Checking key fasteners like structural bolts
  • Fuel system inspection

The marine surveyor will make an inventory of all his findings. You will get a list of required safety gear depending on the type and size of your boat. If the boat comes with a trailer, the trailer will be reviewed thoroughly to ensure it is the right size for your boat.

There is a lot that goes into a boat survey. The best thing you can do is give the boat surveyor Palm Beach ample time and space to do their work. You should also not expect the surveyor to help with the negotiations. The surveyor is only there for a thorough assessment of your boat.

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Getting Ready for a Boat Survey? Do This

Hiring a boat inspector Palm Beachis the best thing you can do if you don’t want to end up with a doomed vessel. The inspector/surveyor will evaluate every aspect of your boat to ensure it is in perfect condition. They will report on major issues and help you understand the fair market value. In addition to that, the surveyor will help you know how much it will cost to insure the boat and how much the repairs will cost. All in all, for you to get the best experience during a survey, you need to get your boat ready for the survey. Here is how you prepare for a boat inspection.

Arrange for a boat lift

If what you need is a comprehensive boat survey, the surveyor will have to inspect the hull. This will include inspecting the bottom of the boat. To facilitate this, you need to make arrangements for a boat lift at a time that is convenient for the boat inspector Palm Beach. You have to ensure the surveyor will have enough time to inspect the hull without being pressured by the yard to relaunch. To speed up the process, make sure the boat is already lifted by the time the surveyor is arriving.

Play your part

Before allowing a survey to be done, a seller will require you to commit to buying the boat. In most cases, you will be required to pay a deposit and sign a contract. Make sure this is all done before the surveyor arrives. Second, you should take the step to declutter the vessel. Remove anything that will not be sold with the boat. You also need to wash the hull to make it easy for the surveyor to inspect it.

Confirm the appointment with the surveyor in writing

The last thing you want is to spend money getting the boat lifted and cancelling your day plans only for the surveyor not to show. To avoid such inconveniences, you need to confirm the date in writing.

Have all the keys to every corner of the craft

The work of the boat surveyor is to observe, listen and document. To do their job properly, they need unrestricted access to every part of the vessel. That is why as you get ready for the surveyor to arrive you need to get the keys to every lock on the boat.

Ensure the batteries are charged

Another thing that can inconvenience a boat inspector is flat batteries. Batteries are needed when testing various systems on the boat. If the batteries are not working on the day of the inspection, the surveyor will not be able to do his job.

A lot goes into a boat survey. Make sure that the vessel is ready for an inspection, days before the surveyor arrives. The easier it is for a surveyor to do his job the more dependable the survey report will be.

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Facts to Remember About Working with a Boat Inspector Palm Beach

Have you ever worked with a boat inspector Palm Beach? If you haven’t, you definitely have a lot of questions mostly on how the survey process works. In this post, our focus will be on the crucial facts you must remember before you hire a surveyor. Keeping these facts in mind will help avoid frustrations once work starts.

You pay the surveyor

The first point you need to remember is the boat inspector Palm Beach is paid by the person who requests the services. This means if you are the one hiring a boat surveyor, you will be the one paying for their services. In some situations, the seller may hire a surveyor in order to understand the condition of their vessel, the fair market value and to instill confidence in potential buyers. In this case, the seller will pay for the services.

How much does it cost?

A surveyor may charge a flat fee or per foot. The per-foot rate is the most common and usually ranges from $20 to $30 per foot. It is also common for surveyors to charge you for their transport costs if your boat is located in an inaccessible location.

The surveyor only works for you

The surveyor only works for the person that hires them. If you are the one hiring the surveyor, you can be certain the surveyor will only share his findings with you. They will not disclose any information to the broker or vendor. This is unless you give them the green light to do so. Immediately after the survey is done, it is common for the surveyor to give you an overview of their findings and a walkthrough of the vessel. It will take about three days for the surveyor to compile a detailed survey report.

You pay for dry-docking

Hull surveys as well as full pre-purchase surveys usually require dry-docking. This is done to help the surveyor get a better view of the boat while it is out of water. You will be the one paying for the slipping. In most cases, surveyors prefer that the boat be already dry-docked by the time they arrive. You don’t have to pressure wash the hull. However, if the surveyor realizes there is excessive corrosion or pitted steelwork, he may suggest the hull be grit blasted or an abrasive process be used to remove the coating, corrosion and marine growth.

A surveyor is not a mechanic

Last but not least, always keep in mind that while the boat inspector may have experience as a mechanic, their job during the survey will be observing and listening alone. Yes, they may use imaging tools like infrared to look inside components but they will never take components apart. If they suspect there is a problem, they will advise you to call in a mechanic or electrician. They will continue with their work once the issue has been assessed by a specialist.

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