Category: Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

When buying a boat, most buyers only budget for the initial cost of buying the boat. Some buyers may also budget for the cost of working with a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdaletrusts. What most people never think about is the ongoing costs of owning a boat. As you prepare to buy your first boat, here are some of the costs you have to keep in mind.

Insurance

While it is not mandatory, getting your boat insured will protect your investment. However, how much you pay in premiums will depend on where you live, the condition of the boat, the type of boat, its size, and your boating experience among other things. Considering southern states have longer boating seasons, insurance premiums in these states tend to be higher. You can thus, expect to pay higher premiums in Florida than you would in Washington D.C. A marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale will not only help with an insurance survey but also help you know how much coverage to get and point you in the direction of the best insurance providers in the region.

Storage

Another expense you have to prepare for is the cost of storing your boat. Most storage lots will charge depending on the size of the boat. They basically charge by the foot. In a boat lot, you can expect to pay about $75 per month for a 20-foot boat on a trailer. Storing the boat at the marina will cost a lot more mostly because of the convenience of the water. Shopping around for storage options can help find the most affordable and convenient boat storage option for you.

Maintenance

Every now and then, your boat will require maintenance. This includes oil changes, buffing, tackling minor repairs, and so on. While these costs may be small, they can add up, especially if you own a really old boat. It is always good to work with a boat surveyor to help you understand the condition of the boat and the average cost of maintenance. The size of your boat will also determine how much you spend on fuel.

Taking time to understand these costs will help you avoid buying a boat that is out of your financial reach. Liaising with other boat owners will help you understand the real costs of owning a boat. You must also consider getting expert advice from a marine surveyor. Their input will not only help you understand the fair market value of the boat but also help you know if you are making a good investment or not.

Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

 

Buying a boat is very exciting. This is a chance for you to get a boat of your own so that you can cruise the waters whenever and to wherever you want. However, while there are so many boats already in the market, you must never rush into the purchase. There are a couple of things you have to do before settling on a boat. One of those things is finding a reliable marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale trusts. Here are the key things you should do before committing to a boat.

Get an inspection

If you are looking to buy a boat that has already been used, you will have to do additional investigation into it. Start by asking the seller about the previous uses for the boat, the types of water the boat has been on and its ownership history. Keep in mind that sellers will conceal some information so as not to scare you off. To verify their claims and get unbiased details about the boat, you have to involve a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale.

The role of a boat surveyor is to perform a thorough inspection of the boat you are about to buy. The survey report will answer questions on the current condition of the boat, its current market value and any repairs that will have to be done before the boat is seaworthy. The input of a marine surveyor helps avoid surprises once the transfer of ownership is complete.

Check the warranties

If you have extra money to spare and opted for a brand new boat, it is good to start by checking the warranties that are associated with the new purchase. Understand how long the warranty is extended and what the warranty will cover. For a used boat, you will be buying an extended warranty from the boat dealer. Make sure the warranty still applies after the sale.

Consider insurance costs

Another very important consideration to make is on the insurance costs and coverage. The mistake most boat buyers make is that of only looking at the initial purchase price. They forget about the cost of maintenance and insurance. To avoid buying a boat that will strain you financially, make sure you understand how much it will cost you to insure it. You also want to know the type of coverage you will get. For older boats, it is hard to get comprehensive insurance. A boat surveyor in Fort Lauderdale will help you know how much you will have to pay for insurance and which kind of cover you should get.

Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

 

Before hiring a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale trusts, most people have many valid questions. These questions range from who to hire for the job to the type of survey they need. If you are hiring a surveyor for the first time, here are some questions you may be asking.

Which type of survey will I need?

The type of marine survey you need depends on what you need the survey for. If you are buying a used boat, for example, the type of survey you will need is a full condition survey. This is often referred to as a pre-purchase survey. With this type of survey, a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale trusts will inspect every inch of the vessel. The surveyor will look at the electronics, safety systems, structural integrity and interior cosmetics. A sea trial may also be needed. On the other hand, if your insurer or lender requests a survey, you will need an insurance survey or a finance survey, respectively. Insurance and finance surveys are more basic.

Who pays for the marine survey?

The person that requests a marine survey is the one who pays the marine surveyor. In most cases, the buyer is the one who hires a surveyor. They do so because they are the ones undertaking the risk of buying a secondhand boat. There are, however, cases where the boat owner may choose to pay the surveyor to attract more buyers. However, as a buyer, you need to ensure that you hire an impartial surveyor. That is why it is better to find your own independent surveyor instead of working with the one recommended to you by the seller.  

Is the price of a survey negotiable?

For small vessels, marine surveyors may charge a fixed fee. However, the surveyor will charge per foot for larger or more complex vessels. Nevertheless, this does not mean that their rates are set in stone. You can negotiate with the surveyor to get a more favorable rate. You should, nonetheless, keep in mind that some of the best surveyors in the business might be reluctant to bring their fees down.

Who should you hire?

Since you are going to spend money on a marine surveyor, make sure you hire the best one in the business. In addition to being experienced, make sure the surveyor is registered with an official surveying organization that regulates its members. The surveyor must also have specific experience in surveying vessels of similar construction, style and size as the one you are considering. You should also ask for sample reports to see how comprehensive their survey reports are.  

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.

Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

 

Whether you are an experienced boat owner or buying your first boat, it is always wise to work with a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale. More often than not, after considering the fact that the surveyor has to be paid, some buyers choose to rely on the valuation that was done by the owner months ago. What you need to understand is that a boat survey is only valid on the day it is done. This is because a lot can change on a boat within a very short period of time. Getting your own independent survey before you buy a boat will give you a better idea of the condition of the boat.

With that out of the way, let us take a look at the top reasons why you need the services of a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale. In this post, we will be focusing on the three main reasons.

Advice on how the standards and legislation apply to your boat

The main reason why you should work with a boat surveyor is so as to know if the boat you are about to buy meets the safety legislation and standards. Marine surveyors are required to be familiar with the construction standards and safety legislation of boats. As a result, they are in a better position to offer important insight into how the legislation and standards apply to a boat.

During the inspection, the marine surveyor will look at the electrical systems, structure, safety & navigation equipment, fuel systems and cosmetic items on a boat. All these can erode the total value of a boat. for example, if a boat has a fuel leak that catches fire, the damages can be catastrophic.

Required when applying for insurance

When applying for boat insurance, most insurance companies will require that you get a boat survey done. Insurance companies require a survey report which helps them determine the level of risk they undertake when insuring the boat. It is good to note that some insurance companies will require a survey to be done by a specific surveyor. Make sure you choose a boat surveyor who is approved by your preferred insurance company.

Get a list of all the issues the boat might have

Last but not least, you need the help of a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale in order to understand all the issues that a boat has. The last thing you want is to purchase a boat that has major issues. You don’t want to spend a lot of time and money getting the boat ready for your first sail, do you? A marine surveyor will provide you with a complete list of all the issues a boat has as well as the estimated cost of repairs.

Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

 

When you contact a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale, he will inspect your boat from top to bottom, inside out, and compile a survey report. The survey report is what provides you with the details you need to know about a boat. While the inclusions in the survey vary depending on the type of survey you are getting, there are certain details that remain the same. In this post, we will be focusing on what a condition and valuation survey report should include.

Condition & Valuation Survey

The condition and valuation survey is the most common type of survey. This is the survey you need to request if you are thinking about buying a used boat or want to understand the current condition and fair market value of your current boat. If this is what you need, you first need to make sure that you hire the right marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale. The best surveyor, in this case, is the one with an untarnished reputation as well as one with experience reviewing boats that are similar to the one you are considering.

Away from hiring the right boat surveyor, you need to know what should be included in the survey. The basic information on the survey report is the names of the owners and/ or buyers, location, and weather conditions. The survey will further include the following information.

• Identify the unique markings on the boat. This includes the name, hull identification number (HIN), hailing port, and state or federal registration numbers.
• Details about the construction of the boat and the installed equipment. These details will be to the degree required or depending on the objective of the marine survey.
• Published dimensions of the boat as well as describe the boat’s construction
• Remark on the condition of the boat and its systems
• Provide recommendations on corrections or repairs required to make the boat safe or functional.
• Photographs of the boat from multiple angles. The images should include the HIN and the registration numbers. Photos of notable deficiencies or improvements will also be included.
• The current fair market value of the boat and its possible replacement value

Qualities of a good survey report

Marine surveys have a very technical nature. They include jargons and terms that are not familiar to the average boat owner. It is the job of the marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale to ensure the survey report is clear, concise, and relays the information required by a customer. A good survey should not require you to keep calling the surveyor for clarifications. You should be able to understand precisely what has been written.

Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale

There are so many reasons why you may want to hire a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale. However, before hiring, you must inform the surveyor of the kind of survey you need. Do you need the survey to fulfill an insurance requirement, meet requirements for a loan application, or know the boat’s actual value? Letting the surveyor understand what you are interested in will help you find a surveyor that offers the services you are interested in. If the surveyor does not provide the service you need, he will recommend you to another surveyor.

A marine survey report will estimate the vessel’s market value, the cost of rebuilding the boat, and a detailed description of the condition and construction of the major systems and hull.

Check with your insurance company

A common mistake people make is assuming any insurance report will be enough to satisfy the requirements of an insurance company. This is not always true. To get the most useful boat survey, you need to start by consulting your insurance company before hiring a marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale.

Some boat surveyors provide abbreviated one or two opinions. They may refer to these opinions as insurance inspection. The issue is this brief format will not be sufficient for insurance underwriting purposes. This is because it omits details required to analyze the risk accurately. To avoid spending money on a survey that will be discarded, always contact your insurance company and ask about the kind of survey they require.

The survey must be compliant

Another important thing you have to do is ensure the boat survey report indicates that the boat was inspected for compliance with current boating safety standards. These standards are set by various bodies, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

Get the boat ready

Not getting the boat ready for a survey will only lead to delays. The work of the surveyor is to inspect the different aspects of your boat visually. What this means is that they only record what they see and hear. They will not open things up to see what lies beneath. To make their work easier and avoid delays, you should get your boat ready by getting rid of anything that gets in the way of the marine surveyor Fort Lauderdale. Declutter the boat and make the entire vessel accessible.

Choosing the right surveyor is the key to getting the best value for your money in a boat survey. It is always great to discuss what you want with a surveyor before you hire them. This will help you understand what the surveyor will do for you.

Marine Surveyor Fort Lauderdale