Boat Surveyor Palm Beach – Which are the Main Areas Covered in a Yacht Survey

Are you in the market for a used yacht? If you have already identified the vessel that you want, the next thing you have to do is find a dependable boat surveyor Palm Beach. The role of the surveyor is to help you determine if the vessel you are after is a worthy investment or not. All in all, before you hire a surveyor you have to know what will be looked at in a yacht survey. 

Hull

One of the primary areas of focus in a yacht survey is the hull. Your boat surveyor Palm Beach will start with the hull looking at the conditions of the underwater, topsides and deck. The keel matrix or the frame arrangement is crucial together with the condition of the hull-to-keel joint. The surveyor will also check to make sure the attachment of the keel is appropriate.

In the boat survey, the surveyor looks for evidence of damage or grounding to the keel because this can be a major issue. He also lists and checks conditions of underwater fittings both externally and internally. The surveyor also makes sure the attachments and hoses are all in good condition and properly secured.

Rudder

The rudder blades are often an issue more so if a boat is more than 20 years old. If the blades have absorbed a lot of moisture, this can cause structural failure. The surveyor will focus on a couple basic inspection points to confirm the overall condition of the rudder.

Engine

In a pre-purchase yacht survey, the engine has to be inspected. While a sea-trial offers the best way to determine the condition of an engine, not all issue present during a sea trial. Your surveyor will have a list of faults to check. This includes commenting on oil leaks, mounts, filters, fuel lines, condition of the engine bed, drive belts, cooling system and exhaust system. The surveyor will further check the stern gland arrangement, bearings, shaft and the condition of the propeller.

Onboard systems

The onboard systems need to be checked to ensure they don’t have any significant issues. The survey needs to comment on the navigation lights, bilge pumps, water systems, water pumps, shower pump outs and as many other systems as possible. A gas safe inspection is a worth investment and in many cases required when insuring a vessel.

Other areas checked include the following:

  • Diesel heaters
  • Rigging
  • Safety equipment

Buying a yacht is a huge investment. You want to be certain that you are buying the best boat. Working closely with an experienced boat surveyor Palm Beach will help you evaluate every aspect of the boat and be certain the investment is worth it.

Boat Surveyor Palm Beach

Boat Surveyor Palm Beach – Answers to Great Questions About Marine Surveys

Have you ever worked with a boat surveyor Palm Beachbefore or is now the first time you are considering the option? If this is your first time thinking about working with a marine surveyor, you definitely have a lot of questions in your mind. How much will it cost? How long will the survey last? What do I need to provide to the surveyor? These are all questions that can only be answered by the surveyor you are planning on hiring. Each surveyor will give you a different answer. There are, however, other questions that have somewhat the same answers. They include the following.

What does a marine surveyor do?

Prior to hiring a boat surveyor Palm Beach, you want to understand clearly what it is that he or she does. The main duty of a marine surveyor is to thoroughly evaluate a marine vessel and provide you with a detailed report. The surveyor can help you understand the overall condition of the boat and the ideal market value. A surveyor can also be hired for the purposes of insurance. With many different types of surveys being available, you want to discuss at length the type of services that the marine surveyor offers. You also need to understand that your insurance provider may require you to work with a specific marine surveyor and check specific items.

How do you prepare for a marine survey?

To get ready for a marine survey, you need to remove all the unnecessary gear from the boat. The idea is to leave the boat free of clutter so that the surveyor can find his way around the boat with ease. the bilge as well as all the machinery need to be clean. Make sure you bring all the necessary keys and get all the necessary permissions for a sea-trial to be completed.

Should I attend the marine survey?

Your boat surveyor Palm Beach will need someone familiar with the vessel to open the locks and grant permission. You should, therefore, be present during the survey. Being present gives you the chance to get any clarification you need as the surveyor works. If you cannot be available for the survey, provide your contact information to the surveyor and if possible have someone around to guide the surveyor around your boat.

How often do I need a marine survey?

How often you need the survey will depend on your insurance company, the value of your boat, its age and the conditions you operate it in. Most surveyors recommend getting a boat survey at least once every 3 years. 

Can I do a marine survey myself?

You cannot do a marine survey yourself unless you are a licensed and experienced marine surveyor. This is more so when it comes to large, engine-powered vessels that have complex electrical systems.

While the list of questions is incomplete, it will definitely give you a good start. Always make sure you work with a surveyor that has a great track record working on vessels similar to yours.

Boat Surveyor Palm Beach