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What is the Focus in a Boat Inspection Fort Lauderdale?

With new boats costing a fortune, buying used boats has always been the best alternative approach to owning a boat. The demand for used boats has, actually, skyrocketed over the years. Even so, this does not mean you purchase just any boat that impresses you. Prior to making a purchase, you need to perform a boat inspection Fort Lauderdale. You will get better results when you work with an experienced boat surveyor.

A boat survey is the key to finding the right used boat. This is regardless of whether you are buying a used boat for personal use or to refurbish and sell it. The input of a marine surveyor will help you know how much work you will have to put in to get the boat in shape. A professional boat inspection Fort Lauderdale further helps you know if the boat you are considering is a worthy investment or not. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the key areas of focus in a standard boat inspection.

Year of the boat

In an inspection, the surveyor will start by finding out the year the boat was built. Just like with a motor vehicle, the more recent the built the better. You should always avoid vessels that are over 20 years old. Such vessels will have more issues and outdated systems.

Where the boat was used

If the boat was exclusively used in fresh water, it will be in much better condition than one that was used in salt water. This is because salt water causes a boat to have more corrosion issues. All in all, this does not mean boats that were used in marine environments are bad. You simply need to get a thorough inspection done to ensure the vessel doesn’t have serious issues.

Engine hours

The engine hours will tell you a lot about the condition of the engine. The more hours the engine has the more unreliable it might be. Engine hours tell how tired an engine is.

Is the seller an original owner?

One of the things a boat surveyor will do is determine how many previous owners there are. The crucial point to remember is that original owners tend to take better care of the boat. Therefore, the more owners the boat has had, the ricketier it might be. 

What doesn’t work?

While asking the seller to reveal issues can save time, the seller may withhold certain information or might not be aware of some serious issues. A marine surveyor will perform an in-depth inspection of the boat and compile a list of all the issues and weaknesses the vessel might have.

A lot more is considered in a boat inspection. The key is to find a reputable boat surveyor that has experience inspecting vessels similar to the one you are considering.

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Marine Surveyors Ft Lauderdale – What You Should Do During a Boat Survey

Marine surveyors Ft Lauderdalehelp you understand the exact condition of a boat. Their input is particularly important when getting ready to sell a boat or getting ready to buy a used vessel. However, there are a couple of things you have to do in order to get the most from the input of a boat surveyor.

Hire a competent surveyor

The mistake most people make when hiring marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale is hiring a surveyor for the sake of hiring. They fail to look at the range of services a surveyor will offer, the experience a surveyor has and the reputation of the surveyor. In the long run, they end up being frustrated with the boat survey services they get. To avoid these issues, you must always do thorough research on a surveyor. Make sure you are choosing someone that has the experience and know-how to offer the best services in a boat survey. The person you hire must also have great communication skills.

Stay out of the surveyor’s way

Most boat surveyors like it when you are around during the survey. That way you will be able to ask any question you may have as well as answer questions from the surveyor. When you are around, you will also be able to help the surveyor navigate the boat and help where possible. However, being present does not mean you get in the surveyor’s way. The job of the surveyor will be slower if you keep on hovering. You need to give the surveyor enough room to work.

Sea trials are not boat rides

The purpose of a sea trial is to help the surveyor check the systems, generators, electronics and other components on the boat. During this time, the surveyor will need to focus on how the various components function to determine their condition. For this to happen, you need a few people on the boat during the sea trial. A sea trial is not the time to take your family on a joy ride. Leave your kids, pets and aunt at home. You can bring a friend or two but not a crowd as that will get in the way of the surveyor.

Surveyors want to build relationships

Last but not least, your boat surveyor in Ft Lauderdale will be striving to build a long-term relationship with you. Most surveyors will tell you that their work is only as good as their last survey. As a result, surveyors are happy to talk things over and answer any questions you may have. The goal is to make you feel comfortable and happy working with them.

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How to Save Money with Marine Surveyors Ft Lauderdale

No-one loves unnecessary expenses. This is more so when it comes to boat ownership. When buying a boat, the last thing you want is for it to be a burden due to the myriad repairs that have to be done. That is why you pay marine surveyors Ft Lauderdaleto help inspect the boat top to bottom to make sure it doesn’t have any hidden issues. In this post, we shall be looking at some of the things you can do to save money with boat surveys. Let’s get started.

Instruct your surveyor

Prior to hiring marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale, it is imperative that you be clear on what you need. For example, if you need a survey done to help with boat insurance, you need to find a marine surveyor that is experienced in performing surveys for insurance companies. In that case, the surveyor will let you know if you will end up spending too much on insurance or not. The surveyor will also let you know the type of cover you should pick and how much you can expect to get.

All in all, before any survey work starts, you need to reach out to your insurance company. Pay attention to what they want to see in the survey report and the type of surveyors they accept. In most cases, underwriters will provide you with a list of what should be covered in a boat survey. That way you will be able to instruct your surveyor accordingly and avoid paying for inspections that you will not need.

Keep in mind that all someone needs to become a marine surveyor is a paying customer. This means it is your job to find the most qualified surveyor for your needs. Most surveyors lack formal qualification while others don’t have any proper training. Depending on what you need, find a surveyor that has experience and a good reputation doing what you need. That way you will avoid getting a mediocre survey report.

Choose the right type of survey

The type of survey you select will further impact how much you end up spending on surveys. The method of survey that you select will mostly be dependent on the materials your craft is built from. If your vessel is made of aluminum or steel, the surveyor will pay attention to the plate thickness using ultrasound and a hammer. They will also focus on the welding. With fiberglass, different disciplines will be needed. Focus will be on the high load areas, the physical structure and moisture levels. The surveyor will also focus on damage/ groundings.

Getting the right inspection is the key to avoiding money wastage on a doomed boat. Always hire the most competent surveyor and know exactly what you need out of the survey. If a boat seems to be too problematic, you should avoid it.

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Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale – What to Expect on the Day of the Survey

It is always a wise decision to work with marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale before buying a used boat. This is because a survey will give you more insight into the vessel you are about to spend your hard-earned money on. The surveyor will help you know if the vessel is ideal for your desired use, which systems are not working and how much it will cost to handle repairs. The surveyor will also give you some idea on the type of boat insurance cover to use as well as how much you should actually pay for the vessel in a perfect world. All these are great reasons why you should work with a boat surveyor in Fort Lauderdale. But what exactly should you expect on the day of the survey?

Drydocking

When it comes to pre-purchase surveys, you want to get as many details about the boat as possible. That is why one of the things you will require is to get the vessel slipped/dry-docked. This is needed when marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale are required to perform a full survey. The surveyor will arrive early and get started with the survey of the internal parts. Thereafter, once the boat is slipped, the surveyor will inspect the hull. In most cases, surveyors prefer to arrive after the boat has already been slipped.

Cleaning

It is important to pressure wash the hull before the surveyor arrives. That way the surveyor will be able to inspect the vessel without missing anything. However, it is good to note that you don’t necessarily have to pressure wash the boat. The surveyor mostly requests pressure washing if the hull is corroded or has pitted steelwork. Grit blasting or other abrasive processes are used to remove coatings, corrosion and growth on the hull before an inspection is done.

Be present

While the surveyor can get the work done in your absence, it is important that you be present. That way you will be able to ask questions and get a walk-through once the survey has been completed. At the end of the survey, the surveyor will give an overview of the main points either in person or by telephone. You will get a completed survey report with photographs in about 3 business days.

Who gets the report

Details of the survey are not given to the broker or vendor. The details are only given to the person that hired the surveyor. The details can be provided to the broker or vendor if requested. There are, however, several circumstances that make sharing the details with the broker/vendor undesirable. A surveyor will help you know when it is not ideal to share these details with a broker or vendor.

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Guide for Hiring a Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

When buying a used boat, you will need a second opinion on the condition of the boat you are about to buy. This is all thanks to the fact that there are so many structural and mechanical components that have to be evaluated. You want to be confident that none of these components will break down and cost you a fortune as soon as you complete the purchase. This is where the input of a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdalecomes in.

A marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale is a certified individual who is hired to perform various types of inspections on a boat. The surveyor will either have a strong mechanical and/or boating background than an average boater. This enables them to know areas that need attention and quickly identify components that are not working as they should. The work of the boat surveyor is simply to observe and listen. The surveyor will not take any component apart to have a look inside. That is the work of a mechanic or electrician and your surveyor will recommend bringing a specialist on board when needed.

Why use a surveyor?

There are many reasons why you should consider getting the services of a marine surveyor. Top on the list is the peace of mind that comes with knowing you understand everything about the vessel you are about to buy. Surveyors use specialized tools like moisture meters to gauge the condition of a component. If you plan on financing the boat or need to get boat insurance, you will have to provide a certified survey report.

It costs about $18 to $25 per foot to get a boat survey. This cost includes out-of-water inspections, tests of onboard systems, sea trial as well as a full boat survey report. The cost can change depending on the services you need and the surveyor you are working with. For smaller boats, it is not uncommon for a surveyor to offer a flat fee rate. If your boat is in an inaccessible location, a surveyor may charge their transport cost to you.

What types of surveys are available?

There are three main types of boat surveys. The type of survey you need will depend on what you need the survey for. The three types of surveys are:

  • Pre-purchase survey
  • Insurance survey
  • Damage inspection
  • Appraisal inspection

Questions to ask a surveyor

When it is time to hire a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale, it is paramount that you know the question to ask. Here are the top questions:

  • Have you completed surveys on boats similar to mine?
  • What is included in the survey?
  • How long will it take for me to get the survey report?
  • How much do you charge?

Getting a marine survey done is especially important when buying a used boat. Make sure you hire a surveyor with a great track record.

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How to Hire the Best Boat Surveyor Ft Lauderdale

 
Are you searching for a boat surveyor Ft Lauderdaleto help with an inspection? If you are, you will be spoilt for choice. There are so many surveyors you can turn to. The problem, however, is that not every surveyor you meet has what it takes to provide a good survey report. That is why before hiring, you must learn how to hire the best surveyor. In this post, we will be looking at the top considerations you should make when searching for a surveyor. Let’s get started.

Good track record

When you start searching for a boat surveyor Ft Lauderdale, the first thing you will most likely do is reach out to friends and family for recommendations on the best surveyor. Boat yards and the internet will also be of great help. At the end of the day, you will have dozens of potential marine surveyors to reach out to. To narrow down the list to the most reliable surveyors, you need to pay attention to their track record. What type of services do they offer and what are their clients saying about their work? You don’t want to work with a surveyor who has never surveyed a boat before, do you? Track record helps you gauge their experience and competence.

Experience surveying your type of boat

Having lots of experience is not enough. To ensure the surveyor will not offer an incomplete report, you need to make sure the surveyor you hire has experience working on boats similar to the one you want to be inspected. Yes, professional training is great but experience brings a whole new perspective on things. That is why the marine surveyor you hire must have lots of hands-on experience on vessels similar to yours.

Serves your area

The reason you need a surveyor who works in your region is to benefit from their networks. When you need an out-of-water inspection, you don’t want to be the one making all the arrangements. A surveyor who works in your region will know where to go and how much it will cost. This will help eliminate a lot of the guesswork and headache on your part. 

Personality

Last but not least, you want to work with a surveyor you can relate well with. That is why you must speak to your preferred surveyor in person to gauge their personality. Are they willing to listen to your needs or they are focused more on giving recommendations? Do you feel comfortable working with them? The key is to hire a surveyor you can work with without feeling pressured.

The cost of service must never be the only factor you consider when hiring a surveyor. Making the above considerations will help find the best team for the job.

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Which Qualifications Should You Look for in Boat Surveyors Ft Lauderdale

Boat surveyors Ft Lauderdale require several skills that have to be certified by official bodies. They have to go through an extreme training and certification phase which is crucial to the foundations of becoming a successful surveyor. To further ensure the surveyor has the necessary expertise, you must ensure that they have years of experience in the field. But is this all the qualification that is needed? The answer is definitely no.

To become a reliable surveyor for container ships, for example, the best boat surveyors Ft Lauderdale are the ones that have worked on board such vessels or have worked at port terminals. What this means is that you should focus on marine surveyors who have completed surveys on vessels that are similar to the ones you own or plan on buying. That way they will know the vessel inside and out and will be able to offer a more educated survey.

Experience alone is not enough. The right surveyor needs to be certified by a third party. To get this certification, they have to complete specific courses that are relevant to the type of boat you are considering. There are so many bodies that offer certification. When a surveyor claims to have certification from a certain body, take time to research the certifying body and the certificate itself to make sure their certificate is not fake. Keep in mind that most standardization societies offer certification on various maritime courses.

You should not hire a boat surveyor simply because he or she is certified. This is because surveying a boat is a skill that is mostly learnt through extensive experience and not something that can be picked up overnight. You have to keep in mind that the surveyor only listens and observes to determine the condition of a vessel. The lack of experience can cause them to miss important things or provide you with an incomplete survey report.

When deciding on a marine surveyor to hire, you should look beyond their training, qualification and accreditation. You have to make sure the surveyor you hire is well-spoken and confident. They should be able to portray a positive image that eliminates doubts. All in all, the surveyor you hire must be able to prove their expertise. They should be able to write survey reports in a compact and detailed manner. The survey report is the first impression of any surveyor. Ensure your surveyor adheres to mutually acceptable standards. Having prior experience in any maritime industry will be an added advantage. A surveyor who has trained under an experienced and reputable surveyor will also be preferred.

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Boat Surveyor Ft Lauderdale – What is the Typical Process of a Marine Survey?

If you have never bought a boat before, understanding the survey process is one of the first things you should do. That way you will know what will be required of you by a boat surveyor Ft Lauderdale. In this post, we will be taking a look at the key things you will have to do.

Choose a boat

The first step is the most obvious; you have to decide on the boat you want. While the experience of a boat surveyor Ft Lauderdale is invaluable, it is not the surveyor’s job to help you pick a boat. Choosing a boat is a matter of personal preferences. You should, however, not choose just any boat. Take a look at the service history of the boat, ensure it meets your needs and ensure it is within your budget. The duty of the marine surveyor is to evaluate the vessel you are considering and help you understand if it is a worthy investment or not.

Sign the contract

After finding the boat that is perfect for you, the next step is to sign a contract with the seller. This has to be done before placing a deposit. A contract of sale has to be written and you and the seller have to agree on the terms before signing anything. It is good to include a clause about the deposit and payment plan in the contract. The contract must also state that you will hold up the end of your deal if the boat survey is satisfactory to you. The survey has to be done within a specified period of time and must include a sea trial. Ensure the contract state that if the boat survey report reveals issues and the seller is unwilling to fix them or negotiate, the deposit will be refunded fully within a specified period of time.

Make a deposit

Now that you are okay with the contract, the final step before you bring in a marine surveyor is to make a deposit. The seller may request a deposit of between 5% and 10% of the selling price. This is required because it is a lot of work to spend almost a full day inspecting, testing and slipping a boat during a survey. The seller wants to be certain that you are a serious buyer.

Bring in a surveyor

The final step is the most important; bringing in a marine surveyor. This involves something as simple as contacting a boat surveyor in Ft Lauderdale to give you a survey date. You may be required to complete an online form. Make sure you discuss your needs and the services the surveyor will provide before hiring.

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Lesser Known Types of Boat Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

Have you worked with boat surveyors Fort Lauderdale before? If yes, you have some knowledge of the type of services they offer. However, if this is the first time you are hiring a surveyor, it is acceptable to feel confused. The marine survey industry is quite diverse and vast. As a result, surveys are usually done by specialized surveyors who are experts in specific fields. To help you know which type of surveyor you should hire, you first need to understand the various types of surveyors that are available.

The various types of marine surveyors can be placed in two categories: proactive and reactive surveyors. Just like the name implies, proactive surveyors identify problems in a vessel before they occur. Their primary responsibility is to assess the condition of a vessel during the sale or during a routine check. If possible damage or flaw is identified, boat surveyors Fort Lauderdale recommends appropriate repairs so as to avert mishaps. It is for this reason that these surveyors are called proactive surveyors.

With reactive surveyors, these are called after an incident has occurred. This second category is made up of claimants, arbitration and insurance surveyors. They assess a boat as a reaction to something that occurred.  Now that you understand the two main types of surveyors, let’s take a look at the other types of surveyors.

Cargo surveyors

These are specialists that are hired by charter or organizations involved in the transport of cargo in bulk. The responsibility of these surveyors is to ensure the cargo is loaded and unloaded properly. The surveyor further calculates permissible loads, minimum and maximum drafts as well as cross-checks the manifest with loaded cargo.

Classification surveyors

These are representatives of classification sociality. They make sure a boat adheres to the pre-set regulations. Classification societies are standardization bodies responsible for making sure ships are built and operated in a safe manner. They impose restrictions on a ship based on the class of the vessel. These societies require a vessel to maintain certain standards in order to remain registered under the society.

Government surveyors

These represent flag state representatives and port state representatives. Flag state officials make sure a boat is registered under its country and meets satisfactory requirements to continue being registered. Flag state representatives can revoke or suspend boat registrations. Port state officials, on the other hand, report to the government of the country a ship is docked. They ensure departing and incoming ships meet requirements that relate to a port. They also ensure draft limits in a port are maintained.

Other common types of surveyors include:

  • Insurance and warranty surveyors
  • Yacht and small craft surveyor
  • Independent surveyors

When hiring boat surveyors Fort Lauderdale, you have to make sure you pick the one that offers the type of survey you need. The surveyor must also have a good track record.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Lauderdale – Main Causes of Damage to a Boat

The main reason you have to work with a boat surveyor Fort Lauderdaleis so as to uncover damages to a boat. There are so many things that can damage a boat. The worst part is that most of these things are hard to spot especially if you are inexperienced or untrained. That is why you need the services of a surveyor. But what really causes damages to a boat? Understanding the causes can help avoid expensive damages as well as help you anticipate the future.

Submerged objects

Being careful as a boat captain is not enough. This is more so when you consider the fact that there are so many submerged objects that a boat can hit. The amount of floating debris has increased due to major storms and extreme tides. Therefore, when planning on buying a used boat, you should bring in an experienced boat surveyor Fort Lauderdale for an out-of-water inspection. The surveyor will take a look at the haul and report on the damages he finds. You will also be given an estimate on how much the boat repairs will cost.

Sinking

There is nothing more disturbing than watching your boat sink. Lesser fittings such as clamps and hoses last only a couple of years. They usually fail before anything else. If water is not drained properly, flooding on the boat will cause damage to the battery and bilge pump. Undrained water on the boat will also make the boat too heavy. One of the duties of a boat surveyor is to ensure rainwater is drained properly and that all the fittings are in good condition.

Fire and explosions

So many things can cause fire on a boat. In most cases, faulty DC wiring is the leading cause of fires on boats. Chafed wires are the leading cause. AC shore-power cord inlet is yet another leading cause of fires on boats. Wear and corrosion causes high resistance which creates heat. Overheated exhaust manifolds as well as fuel leaks may lead to fires.

Bad weather

Harsh weather can cause significant damages to a boat. As aforementioned, bad weather increases the number of debris in the water. This increases chances of collisions with submerged objects. When you contact a marine surveyor, they will check for damages caused by extreme weather and give recommendations on how to get the boat in tiptop shape.

There are so many things that can cause damages to a boat. When buying a used vessel, always evaluate it thoroughly. A boat surveyors Fort Lauderdale will help you understand the boat better and help you know roughly how much it will cost to get the boat in perfect condition.

Boat Surveyor Fort Lauderdale