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.