A pre-purchase vessel survey is one of the most thorough surveys you can have. It provides a prospective boat buyer with detailed documentation to confirm or deny that a vessel is free of operational hazard, sea worthy, appropriately valued, and free of defect or damage.
If you are selling, donating, settling a divorce or estate; or other types of legal matters you may need an Appraisal Survey. This type of inspection should be from a certified marine surveyor and determines the fair market value of the vessel. The vessel is inspected to ascertain its correct market value along with market research for comparables.
A Condition & Value Survey (insurance survey) is what your insurance carrier or lender may require you to obtain in order for them to bind or renew coverage, or even to close a loan on your vessel.
Out of water inspections include assessment of the bottom paint condition, above and below waterline through hull fittings, propellers, zinc protection, rudders, keels, and cutless bearings. In addition I inspect for laminate condition using several different methods such as acoustical tapping on the hull with a light-weight hammer to moisture meter reads and if necessary I will use a thermal-imaging camera. The tools I use range from basic hand tools and flashlights to higher tech devices.
This service can be incorporated into marine surveys by revealing abnormal temperature anomalies or moisture readings using a thermographic infrared camera. This is highly beneficial for revealing hidden or visually obscured mechanical equipment malfunctions such as leaks or overheating.
This examination is offered to save the prospective buyer the time and expense of visiting the vessel personally. A video of the entire boat will be recorded and converted to a DVD or MPEG format and shipped, emailed or posted online as requested. This method can be very useful in determining if further interest in a particular vessel is desired.
There are a variety of circumstances under which it’s advantageous to carry out sea trials. Perhaps the most common, and the one with the most to lose if it’s not carried out properly, involves pre-purchase surveys and inspections. In other cases, sea trials should be carried out to diagnose a problem such as an unusual vibration or noise, inability to reach rated maximum rpm (or exceeding it), to search for a leak that occurs while under way, to test a new installation such as a depth finder, sonar, or autopilot, or for engine-related issues such as excessive fuel consumption, smoke, or overheating. In still other cases, sea trials should be carried out after major engine or running gear repairs and after a repower.
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