Category: Boat Inspection Palm Beach

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.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

We all love bargains. The more money we save on a new item, the better. However, it is good to note that the cheapest is not always the best when it comes to boats. When the deal is too good, always request a boat inspection Palm Beach recommends. The purpose of the inspection is to help you understand if there are any hidden problems. Here are a couple more things you must do.

Be wary of ‘too good to be true’ deals

It is possible to find a gem of a used boat at the most competitive price. This happens when a seller wants a quick sale or when the market is competitive with similar vessels. However, if the price is way below market value, you need to involve a marine surveyor before making an offer. This is because when a deal is too good to be true, it usually is. A boat inspection Palm Beach trusts will help you know the condition of the boat and if it is worth buying or not.

Is it competitive pricing or a red flag?

After searching the market for the perfect boat, you may come across one with the lowest price tag. Although saving money is your top priority, you must understand why the price is that low. A boat may have a low price to entice buyers to buy it fast or because it has major issues. Therefore, it is always important to have a marine survey on any used vessel before buying it. After getting the survey report, you can ask if it is worth buying it or going for a higher-priced one.

Consider price versus value

At times the price of a used boat doesn’t reflect the boat’s value. This goes for vessels priced too low and those priced too highly. The price is what you pay for the boat, whereas the value is what you get for the money you spend. At times a boat can be priced higher because of the owner’s personal attachment to it, the popularity of the boat, or where it is located. This type of value will not transfer to you. That is why you need to work with an experienced boat surveyor to understand the actual value of the boat.

Not every cheap boat is worth buying. Some will cost more in repairs and maintenance than you would want. Make sure you always consult an experienced marine surveyor in Palm Beach to help you get a better understanding of the investment you are about to make.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

A pre-purchase boat inspection Palm Beach approves is often required when buying a boat. However, for you to take full advantage of the survey, you must have a deeper understanding of what the surveyor will be looking for. Yes, you can get some insight inspecting a boat by yourself but a professional pre-purchase survey is a whole different animal.

Finding a boat to buy in Florida is easy. Buying a perfect boat is, however, a whole different story. Once you locate a boat that interests you, the next thing you must do is take a closer look into it. You will need a boat surveyor for this.

As you get ready to bring a surveyor on board for a boat inspection Palm Beach approves, it is good to understand that the surveyor only works for you. He is hired by and works for the buyer. Due to the conflict of interest, you must refrain from working with a surveyor that is recommended to you by the seller or broker. Always find an independent surveyor to inspect the boat for you.

The good news is there is a clear path forward because every boat comes with a work list. This means the marine surveyor will have their work defined for them. If you need the survey done for insurance, make sure the surveyor you hire will be approved by your insurance provider and ask your insurer for a list of items that have to be inspected.

Surveyors have guidelines they use to help make an informed judgement call. This means the surveyor will not be acting on their own opinions. They follow guidelines from the Code of Federal Regulations, American Boat, and Yacht Council among other established bodies. Each of these guidelines covers specific areas. For example, the Code of Federal Regulations covers minimum requirements for navigation lights, safety equipment, sanitation, engine, fuel, and electrical systems. Diesel-powered boats are usually free from electrical and mechanical regulations. They must, however, comply with the other regulation.

While guidelines do exist on what a surveyor must look for in a boat inspection in Palm Beach, their judgement calls still matter. That is why it is so important to work with an experienced boat surveyor. Find someone that has lots of experience surveying vessels that are similar to yours. The surveyor you hire must also come highly recommended. You should also not be afraid to ask the surveyor the questions you may have. They work for you, remember?

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

While there are many individuals who call themselves surveyors, you have to be careful before hiring someone for a boat inspection Palm Beach. Before hiring a surveyor, you need to ask them the right questions so as to determine if they have what it takes to deliver the service you need. In this post, we will be focusing on the questions you must ask before the inspection starts.

Have you surveyed boats similar to mine?

This is a question that will let you know if the surveyor will deliver quality services or not. If he has no experience conducting a boat inspection Palm Beach on a boat that is similar to yours in terms of make and model, chances are he will miss some things. If the experience of a boat surveyor is strictly powerboats and you are buying a sailboat, the service they offer might not be as great. You might want to keep looking for another boat surveyor. If they say they have worked on a boat that is similar to yours, ask for a sample report and review it before making a decision.

What will the inspection include?

A good surveyor will include a thorough inspection of the boat’s deck, hull, superstructure and systems. As they go through these items, the surveyor will be checking if the vessel’s equipment and systems are in compliance with the current standards that are defined by the USCG, NFPA, and the ABYC. If there is an issue that needs specialized attention, the surveyor will recommend bringing in a mechanic or electrician to take a closer look.

What will be included in the survey report?

A competent surveyor will provide you with a thorough and detailed written report. The report describes the various parts of the boat, detailed information about the hull’s condition as well as the condition of equipment and systems. The survey report is usually between 30 to 40 pages. The length depends on the size of the boat being surveyed and the type of survey being done. A comprehensive report will also include photographs, recommendations and findings of the boat’s condition.

How long does the survey take?

The duration of the survey will depend on the type of boat you are buying. The survey of boats that are less than 25 feet long takes about two to three hours. This includes a sea trial. For bigger boats, the survey can take between four to six hours. The survey of boats that are longer than 50 feet can take up to two days to complete. Once the survey is done, you will get the survey report within two to three business days.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

Are you in the market for a fishing boat? If you are, you will be spoilt for choice. There are always tons of fishing boats for sale in Palm Beach. If you are working with a tight budget, fiberglass boats may scare you off. Aluminum fishing boats are not only durable and require less power but they are also quite affordable, easier to tow and operate. All the same, this does not mean you purchase one without getting an expert boat inspection Palm Beach. Here are some of the best aluminum fishing boats you can buy.

Crestliner 1860 Retriever

If what you need is a boat that can double as a hunting boat, the Crestliner 1860 Retriever will be perfect. This is a boat that is always ready for action when it comes to fishing. It has 16-gallon live-well, fore and aft casting decks that come with pedestal mounts for your fishing seats as well as vertical rodracks for up to 6 rigs. The boat can cruise close to 30mph and achieve a maximum speed of 41.2mph. The vessel is quite affordable with the price of a brand new boat being in the neighborhoods of $20,000. If you are buying a used vessel, a professional boat inspection Palm Beach will save you from paying more than the boat is worth.

LOWE 22 Bay

A brand new Lowe 22 Bay will cost a little under $50,000 when fully rigged and ready for action. Its stand-out features include 30 gallons aft and 16 gallons forward live-wells. It has a built-in tackle stowage, Morotguide VariMax V55SW electric trolling motor, fore and aft casting decks and Lowrance Hook2 fishfinder and 7’6” locking rodboxes. Always work with a boat surveyorwhen buying a used Lowe 22 Bay fishing boat.

Ranger RB 190

Do you need a perfect boat for fishing with your son? The Ranger RB 190 will be great for you. The vessel can cruise at 30mph and achieve a maximum speed of 45mph. The boat has several standard features which include big-ticket items such as custom-built Ranger trailer, Rawhide coating on gunwales and the interior, hydraulic steering, Lowrance Hook2 fish-finder, Minn Kota Edge 70 electric trolling motor and aerated live-well with timer and removable divider.

These are the three best aluminum fishing boats you can buy today. However, to avoid surprises along the way when opting for used vessels, you should always involve a boat surveyor for a boat inspection Palm Beach. The surveyor will help you identify any issues that the vessel has, give price estimates for repairs as well as give recommendations on pricing.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

How well you prepare for a boat inspection Palm Beach will determine how smoothly the survey goes and how thorough a surveyor will be. The work of the surveyor is to observe, listen and document. Forcing the surveyor to declutter the boat for you will only get in his way. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the important things you must do when getting ready for a boat survey.

Declutter the boat

The first thing you need to do is get rid of anything that will only get in the way of the boat surveyor. This includes your fishing gear and other extraneous equipment. Your gumboots and raincoat don’t need to be on board during the inspection. In simple terms, anything that will not be included as part of the sale should be removed from the boat. If removing these items is not possible, label them as not-for-sale or available-at-an-extra cost. Doing so will help avoid confusion during a boat inspection Palm Beach.

Clean the boat

Decluttering your boat is not enough. To make the work of the boat surveyor easier you need to clean your boat. pressure washing from top to bottom will help the surveyor find components easily and determine their condition without having to scrub them.

The propeller of the boat must also be cleaned to remove growth. Doing so will help reduce the vibrations and help the boat perform better during a sea trial. You also need to scrub the engines, bilges and machinery spaces.

Get periodic maintenance done

The objective of a marine survey is to help a buyer know if your boat is a great investment or not. At times, low or old oil can cause the boat to underperform and subsequently send the wrong message. That is why you should perform periodic maintenance including impeller and oil changes before the day of the survey.

Wax your boat

First impressions do matter. That is why in addition to cleaning your boat you should consider having a gel coat waxed, the stainless steel work polished as well as the wood varnished. You should also consider touching up paint and testing all the equipment to ensure they are performing well. If something is not working, you can get it fixed or note it so that the buyer will not be surprised.

In a boat inspection Palm Beach, a surveyor will earn his keep by identifying past maintenance problems and future repair needs. Whether you are a boat owner or a buyer, you should make sure you hire the most qualified marine surveyor.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

At some point in time, as a boat owner you will need a boat inspection Palm Beach. The inspection may be because you plan on selling your boat, you are buying a new boat or need a survey report for the purposes of insurance or to present to financial companies. Whatever the case, it is always good to know what type of survey you need. To help with this, we have discussed the various types of surveys available.

Condition & value survey

The condition and value survey is the most comprehensive type of boat inspection Palm Beach. It provides the client with an informed, professional opinion of a boat’s condition as well as a fair market value. The survey includes in-depth visual inspection of the structural integrity, safety of equipment and all miscellaneous onboard systems. An out of water hull inspection and a sea trial will also be done. At the end of the inspection, the marine surveyor will send you a written report of the condition & value survey. This will give detailed information on the boat and includes a list of noted discrepancies or variations. The report also includes a recommendation section which lists maintenance, safety and repair items that ought to be addressed.

Insurance survey

The purpose of an insurance survey is to help underwriters determine the condition and insurability of a vessel. The survey may be required either for an initial policy issuance or renewal. The focus of an insurance survey is the structural integrity, safety as well as an inspection of the systems installed on the vessel. The safety gear will also be inspected and noted to ensure compliance with the federal requirements and pertinent identification information will be recorded for future reference, valuation as well as claims adjustment. A survey report will also be given.

Appraisal Inspection

A boat inspection Palm Beach can be done to determine the fair market value of a boat. This inspection is known as an appraisal inspection. An inspection may be required during financing, donations, estate settlements, legal cases and so on. Focus here is to get an overall impression of the boat’s condition. The survey is less in-depth and the survey report only gives general comments on the condition of the boat and the estimated fair market value.

Damage survey

If your boat was involved in an accident or was caught up in a storm, a damage survey can be done to determine the extent of damage to the vessel. This survey can also be done on a used boat to help know the repairs that will be required and the estimated cost of the repairs. A damage survey can also be used to determine the probable cause of an accident. When filing a damage claim, the insurance company will send a surveyor who will represent the interests of the insurance company. You can hire your own surveyor to inspect the damages and make recommendations.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach

Are you ready for a boat inspection Palm Beach? If you are, you probably have already zeroed in on some of the best marine surveyors in the area. You have also done the math on how long the survey will take and compiled a list of things your surveyor will do. All this is, however, not enough. There are a couple more things every boat surveyor wishes you would do.

Do not rush the process

As a boat owner in need of an urgent boat inspection Palm Beach, you definitely want the survey to be done as soon as possible. What most people don’t understand is that even if the boat surveyor is available at the time you call him, delays are often unavoidable. This is due to the fact that surveys are usually done outside. The weather is a major concern. Moisture meters are not much good when used in the rain.

Away from the weather, the boat will need to be handled by a boatyard. Moving the boat and other items out of the way may cause further delays. The boat owner has to make arrangements for the sea-trial too. All these things cause unavoidable delays.

Prepare sufficiently for the inspection

The mistake most boat owners make is that of not taking the time to get their boat ready for the inspection. For starters, the boat owner or representative has to be aboard in order to guide the surveyor around the boat. Second, it is the job of the owner or owner’s representative to use tools to remove panels and to make it easy to access areas around the boat. The work of the surveyor is simply to observe and listen.

When getting ready for the boat inspection Palm Beach, you need to remove all the unnecessary gear out of the way and clean the vessel. Doing so will make it easier for the surveyor to assess the boat. Don’t force the boat surveyor to work around obstacles because that will only get in the way of his work.

The sea-trial

The purpose of a sea-trial is to evaluate the operation of the vessel. If you are not familiar with the vessel, you should arrange for someone to drive the boat. You also need to have as few people aboard as possible during the sea-trial. You also need to ensure all the hatches are up because the surveyor will walk in and out of every place on the boat. The less people you have aboard the easier it will be for the surveyor to do his work.

Leave the surveyor out of the negotiation process

Last but not least, unless you asked the surveyor to help with the negotiations, you should try leave him out. Surveyors generally talk only about the survey to their client.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach