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Getting a marine survey is an important step for anyone who owns or is thinking about buying a boat. To ensure you have a clear understanding of the condition of your boat, it is paramount that you work with an experienced marine surveyor. But what is the purpose of a marine surveyor? In this post, we will be looking at the top reasons why you should consider getting a marine survey done.

Guarantee safety

If the hull is leaking, you and your passengers will be at high risk when sailing. This is because leaks can get worse and even cause a boat to sink. Ensuring your vessel is safe is one of the best answers to the question of what is the purpose of a marine surveyor in Palm Beach. When you bring a boat surveyor in, they will identify any safety hazards or deficiencies that could put your boat or its occupants at risk. This includes issues such as structural damage, faulty electrical systems, or improper safety equipment.

For insurance

A boat is not a cheap investment. It costs a lot of money not just to buy a boat but also to maintain it. With that in mind, you want to keep your investment safe. The best way of doing this is by getting boat insurance. Most insurance providers will not provide insurance coverage without first getting a marine survey report. This is because the survey report is what gives them an idea of the condition and value of the boat. Talk to your insurer first to know if a survey will be needed. If a survey report is required, ask for a list of items that have to be considered during the survey. You should also ask about the qualifications the surveyor you use must have.

Determine value

Whether you are buying a boat or selling one, knowing exactly how much the boat is worth is the key to getting the best bargain. A marine surveyor can be hired to help you determine the fair market value of a boat. You can use this information to negotiate accordingly.

Improve maintenance

Even as an experienced boat owner, you will not be able to pinpoint all the problems your boat might have. In some cases, you will not learn of an issue until the vessel fails completely. To avoid dealing with poor performance and expensive repairs, you can bring in a marine surveyor at least once a year to perform an inspection of your boat. This will help you identify issues in time and get them repaired before they get worse. This can help extend the life of your boat significantly.

These are just some of the key reasons why you should hire a boat surveyor in Palm Beach. You must, however, keep in mind that not every surveyor will offer the services you need. That is why you must be careful before hiring a surveyor. Hire someone that has experience surveying vessels that are similar to yours.

What is the Purpose of a Marine Surveyor

As more and more people join the industry to become marine surveyors, it is becoming more important to only work with accredited or associate surveyors. This is because not every person that claims to be a great surveyor in Palm Beach will be able to offer the services you need. To avoid landing in the wrong hands, you should consider working only with an accredited surveyor such as that offering a SAMS survey.

The SAMS is an internationally recognized society that accredits marine surveyors. SAMS offers two membership classes of marine surveyors: Accredited Marine Surveyor and Surveyor Associate. Each class requires varying qualifications. To be able to offer SAMS survey as an accredited boat surveyor, you will be required to have at least five years of experience that has been accumulated over a period of 10 years. You will also need to complete a written or oral exam. The surveyor associate class is for surveyors who have not met all the prerequisites for acceptance as Accredited Marine Surveyors.

The best thing about working with SAMS surveyors is that they adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards. The associates are also required to adhere to these standards. Here are some of the things a surveyor has to do to become either an accredited surveyor or an associate.

Applying to become an accredited marine surveyor

• Complete a SAMS application
• Complete a SAMS admission exam
• Submit one-year survey for every survey they have done in the past five years
• Submit a resume
• Business card
• Notarized affidavit that attests to the completion of 12 surveys per year for the past five years.
• A non-refundable application fee of $150

Applying to become a surveyor associate

• Complete a SAMS application
• Complete the SAMS admission exam
• Submit a survey report of at least one year
• Submit a resume
• Business card
• A non-refundable application fee of $150

The SAMS is very strict when accrediting marine surveyors. All their members are also required to adhere to strict standards. This shows why it is so important to work with a marine surveyor in Palm Beach that is accredited.

While being accredited is a great thing, it is good to always remember that marine surveyors are not the same. You need to take some time interviewing a surveyor to make sure they are a perfect fit for you. If you don’t feel comfortable working with them, you should keep looking for a surveyor that you trust.

SAMS Survey

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.

Boat Inspection Palm Beach