Category: Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

When buying a used car, you need to look at the mileage. A high mileage means the vehicle has been used heavily and will probably be more expensive to maintain. With a pre-owned boat, what you need to look at is the engine hours. Engine hours are the number of hours that an engine has run over its lifetime. Just like mileage, more engine hours mean the boat will have more maintenance needs. That is why you need to bring in marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale trusts to use an engine hour meter to determine how long the boat has run over its lifetime.

While engine hours are meant to help you understand how long a boat has been used, you should verify. It is not uncommon to find a used boat that seems to have too few engine hours. If the hours seem too low, chances are the engine hours have been tampered with. Experienced marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale will be able to verify this.

The average boater uses a boat for about 50 to 60 hours every season. You need to keep this information in mind when evaluate the engine hours. If you are targeting a boat that is four years old, it should have at least 200 hours. However, if that boat has less hours, the seller might be dishonest. You need to investigate further.

While an average of 50 hours per season is normal, it is good to note that there are exceptions. This is more so when you are considering a boat that was used in the southern parts of the United States such as Florida and Texas. The boating seasons in the southern states are longer. Considering the weather is favorable here all year round, it is not uncommon to find a boat that was used all year. This means the number of engine hours will be more. If you are buying a boat from southern United States and the hours are too low, you need to verify.

How do you verify engine hours?

It is easy to verify the hours on a vessel that has an electronic fuel injection. This technology has been around for over 15 years. A marine surveyor will be able to tap into the engine management system and access the engine hours. There are many electronic tools used to assess this.

If you are buying an older boat that uses a carbureted engine, you will not be able to verify the engine hours. Your only option will be relying on the knowledge of a boat surveyor in Fort Lauderdale to report on the condition of the vessel.

Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

 

Do you enjoy fixing stuff? If you do, buying a project boat might be your best way of getting a used boat at an unbeatable price. However, while it is a great feeling to bring an old, tired boat back to its former glory, you must understand that not all boats can be revived. That is why you must always involve marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale trusts to help you determine if the boat you are targeting is salvageable or not.

Project boats, also known as refit boats, are boats that cannot be used in their current state. They have to be fixed up to make them seaworthy. Just like with cars and houses, project boats come in many guises, from those that require a full overhaul and replacement of the engine to those that only need minor cosmetic touchups. You will not be able to tell what your target boat needs until you involve marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale depends on. The marine surveyor’s role will be to evaluate every aspect of the vessel and provide you with a list of items that will have to be repaired or replaced. This information can help you know if the boat is worth buying or not.

Benefits of a project boat

Buying a project boat is a major undertaking. You have to make time to invest blood, sweat and tears to bring the boat back to life. Some costs will be involved. However, some benefits come with going for a project boat.

• Get your dream boat for way less

There are so many incredible boats available as project boats. You will be able to find your dream boat at a low price. Then, all you have to do is invest a little more money to bring it back to life. Many people fund their dream boats by buying them as project boats.

• Get to know your boat inside and out

As you work to fix up the boat, you will get to know every inch of it. Whether you will be fixing the boat up yourself or hiring an expert, you will get familiar with every nook and cranny of the new refit boat.

• Unparalleled satisfaction

A few things are more satisfying than seeing your hard work bear fruits. While there are days you will wish you went with a different option, when the boat is ready for its first sail, you will appreciate every moment you spend working on it.

All in all, it is good to note that project boats are not ideal for everyone. For example, if it is your first boat or you are in a rush, getting a refit boat might not be the option for you. You also need to involve marine surveyors in Fort Lauderdale to keep yourself from getting a boat that cannot be fixed.

Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

 

As you get your finances ready to purchase your dream boat, one of the key things you must do is consult marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale believes in. These are professionals with the knowledge to identify issues on a boat. The survey report provided at the end of the survey will help with decision-making. But which steps do these professionals follow when inspecting a boat?

The process

To get the most compressive survey, you need to choose a marine surveyor carefully. Keep in mind that there are so many people who claim to be competent surveyors. The only way to avoid hiring the wrong person for the job is to take a look at the surveyor’s previous survey reports and also speak with people who have worked with the surveyor. Friends, family and boatyard managers will be instrumental in helping you find the most dependable marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale stands behind.

Once you find the right surveyor for the job, the next step is to work with the seller. In most cases, a seller will require that you provide an offer and show commitment by putting down a deposit. Make sure that the purchase offer you give is subject to the survey report. In that case, if you are shocked by what the surveyor finds, you can pull out of the deal. You can also use the surveyor’s findings to negotiate a better deal. Keep in mind that the survey will not start until the seller agrees to it.

The process of getting a vessel surveyed is quite straightforward. The survey usually lasts a day. It may take longer depending on the size and type of boat. The surveyor will only observe and listen to systems to gauge their condition. If further investigation will be needed, you will be required to bring in a mechanic or electrician to take the systems apart. After the survey is done, boat surveyors typically provide a survey report within a few days. It is important that you don’t rush the process.

During the inspection, it is always good to attend. That way you will have the chance to ask all the questions you may have as well as help the surveyor out with anything he might need. This does not, however, mean that you bring everyone for the survey. The surveyor needs ample time and space to work. That will not be possible if you bring your whole family for the sea trial.

Sea trials

Sea trials are not included in a standard pre-purchase survey. You need to arrange for a sea trial and that often attracts an additional fee. The point of a sea trial is to get a feel of the vessel and to allow the surveyor to check the engine while it is running. The fewer people you bring during the sea trial the better.

Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

 

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.

Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

 

The work of marine surveyors Fort Lauderdaleis not to help you find the boat that is perfect for you. Their job is to help you understand the exact condition of the boat you are planning on buying. That is why the first thing you must do is find the boat that best suits your needs. But where do you start? The purpose of this post is to answer this question.

Internet Search

Just like your first stop when searching for competent marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale is the internet, to find a boat you must also do an internet search. Start by searching the top surfing spots in your area then branch out if necessary. Internet searches offer the fastest way to find boats for sale in your area as well as the perfect platform to compare your options. You will also learn a lot about the best time to buy a used boat.

Boats in Your Area

Just because you are interested in a speedboat does not mean it will be a practical choice where you live. That is why before you make your selection you need to look around at the boats in your area. Which are the most common boat? Are the boats a certain brand? If yes, find out why. There is a chance a certain brand is best-suited for sailing in your area.

Talk to Boaters

The worst mistake you can make is that of shopping for a boat blindly. Yes, there will be a lot of information on the boat you are considering but in most cases this information will be in favor of that boat. You need a more objective approach. That is why it is always a great idea to talk to other boaters in your area. Local knowledge is especially important when searching for a used boat. Boaters will be happy to help you understand the pros and cons of your preferred boat and give you recommendations.

Contact Banks

Banks repossess boats all the time and they don’t like to own them. This is one of the best places to find a used boat at a great price. If the bank is auctioning some boats, you will be able to look around and select the one that best impresses. You must, however, never select any of these boats without a report from marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale.

Visit Boat Shows

Larger boat shows will have both new and used boats for you to look at. If you find a boat that you really like, go below and take a look around. If the boat dealer doesn’t like you looking around, simply keep moving and find a dealer that will encourage you to poke around.

Other great places you can look include magazine and newspaper ads, and Yellow Pages. Once you find a boat you really love, bring in a professional for a thorough assessment.

Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale

As a boat owner, you want to be certain your boat is in the best condition. To achieve this, you want to make sure that your boat is well oiled, doesn’t travel in risky areas, is protected from adverse weather, and you are the only one that operates it. Even with all this, you will still need expert help. That is why you should involve marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale.

Most boat owners only consider working with marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale when they are getting ready to sell their boat, need a new insurance cover, or want to use their boat as collateral. What you may not already know is that with the help of an experienced surveyor, you will be able to give your boat the best care. Here are some ways working with a boat surveyor will help you give your boat better care.

Help You Understand Your Engine

The engine is the most important part of your boat. If it has an issue, your boat will be stuck. In addition to using the right fuel, oil and making sure you never overwork it, you regularly have to get it inspected. This is because if you always use the boat, you may not notice a gradual change in performance.

A marine surveyor will listen and observe your boat to understand if there are issues. They also have special equipment to help them see inside components without having to take them apart. Bearing in mind a marine surveyor is objective and has lots of experience inspecting boats like yours; he will be able to spot engine problems that would have easily escaped your eye.

Advice on How to Maintain Fiberglass and Timber

How your boat looks has an impact on its value. If you plan on selling your boat and the haul is dirty or full of dents, buyers will either steer clear or offer low bids. Regularly polishing and waxing your fiberglass boat will keep it looking new. This is quite important for the deep colors, which tend to fade considerably fast. If your boat is wooden, you have to remember that it is at a high risk of getting damaged due to the failure of the paint, epoxy coatings, and vanish.

Marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale will perform thorough assessments and let you know where your boat has problems. The surveyor can also advise you on caring for your boat and give recommendations on the best repair or maintenance professionals in the area.

Marine Surveyors Ft Lauderdale

Marine surveyors Fort Lauderdalewill help you understand every inch of the boat. Bearing in mind a surveyor only observes and listens to understand the condition of components, the surveyor should let you know when you need the services of other professionals such as paint coating specialists, fiberglass composite, and electricians. To find a dependable surveyor, you have to vet him or her thoroughly. Here are some of the top things you should do.

Word of mouth

Just because your preferred marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale have an impressive office and a perfect website does not mean they are good at their work. To find a marine surveyor that can deliver on their promise, you have to speak to people who have used the surveyor’s services before. Web forums, testimonials, and reviews will give some insight into a surveyor. You also need to reach out to fellow boat owners or people who recently worked with a surveyor. What was their experience with the surveyor who worked on their boat? If several boat owners recommend a certain surveyor, that is a good sign.

Speak to your local boatyard manager

Boatyard managers work with many boat surveyors. They also read surveys in the course of doing their work. Needless to say, a yard manager in a high-volume boatyard will have seen and worked with more surveyors on a monthly or even weekly basis. Their experience working with surveyors will point you in the direction of the best surveyor in the business. It is, however, important to bear in mind that the recommendations you get from boatyard managers may be biased. You should thus not commit to a surveyor without first doing a background check on them.

Reach out to your insurance broker

Your insurance broker or underwriter wants you to get a thorough boat survey so as not to end up insuring a bad risk. As a result, your broker will recommend a surveyor with the best reputation and ability to meet your selected insurance provider’s requirements. Even after finding your own surveyor, it is always wise to ask your insurance company if they have special requirements regarding the surveyor you should get the survey from.

Check credentials

When you narrow down your list to the most promising marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale, you now need to check their credentials. Know the professional memberships, if any, that a surveyor holds. While membership in an organization is considered an asset, it is in no way a requirement. You also need to know how many years they have been offering marine survey services. The more experience a surveyor has, the better.

There are many considerations you should make when choosing marine surveyors Fort Lauderdale. You must, however, not use cost as the main determining factor. Choose a surveyor because he is qualified and you feel confident using his services.

Marine Surveyors Fort Lauderdale