When you are in the process of buying a used boat, the first professional you should bring onboard is a boat surveyor Ft Lauderdale. A good surveyor will provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are not making a bad investment. The surveyor will help you understand the boat you are about to buy inside and out. Even so, there are a couple of things you have to understand before getting a boat survey.
Type of survey
The first is the fact that there are many types of boat surveys that can be performed. The most common type of survey is the pre-purchase survey. This is done to help a buyer understand if the boat they are about to buy is a good investment or not. Other common types of surveys include:
- Insurance survey
- Finance survey
- Pre and post-transport survey
- Full condition survey
Prior to hiring a boat surveyor Ft Lauderdale, you need first to understand what type of survey you need. Do you want to get financing and use the boat as collateral or do you want to know how much repairs will cost?
What is involved in a full condition survey
A full condition survey is the most comprehensive of all surveys. While basic surveys are usually non-intrusive, a full condition survey takes a look at everything from the hull to the propulsive equipment to the condition of the mechanical gear. It is done to determine if a boat is sound. If you are buying a used boat, this is the survey you should request. This is assuming you can afford the extra fee that comes with a full condition survey.
Never rely on existing surveys
The worst mistake you can make is relying on an existing survey. Just because a survey was done less than a year ago does not mean the boat is still in the same mint condition it was in months ago. A lot change. A marine survey is more of a snapshot. It reflects the condition of the boat on the day the survey is carried out. It is also good to note that reputable boat surveyors carry indemnity insurance against which you can claim if the surveyor missed a salient defect. If you are not the one who paid the marine surveyor, you don’t have a contract with him and thus cannot file any claim.
Getting a marine survey is essential when buying a used boat. It is, however, good to keep in mind that there are limitations of surveys. For starters, the boat surveyor Ft Lauderdale only listens and observes. He will not disassemble parts to see inside. If this is required, you will be advised to bring in a mechanic for a more thorough look. Nondestructive testing methods like ultra-sound can be used to look inside components but a surveyor will never take components apart.