If you have ever owned a boat or plan on buying a boat, you probably know a few things about the importance of working with a boat surveyor Fort Lauderdale. A surveyor performs a marine survey which is a detailed inspection meant to help understand the condition and seaworthiness of the boat. There are several types of marine surveys with condition and value surveys being the most common. If you are planning on hiring a boat surveyor for any type of survey, there are a couple of things you will have to understand.
Surveyors Offer Limited Inspections
There is a certain level of inspection that the market has become accustomed to paying for. This level of inspection is also accepted by the insurance companies. In general, a boat surveyor Fort Lauderdale will never disassemble permanent parts of your boat to access areas that they cannot see. This means certain areas of your components will not be inspected. Surveyors only listen and observe components to determine their condition. If there is a serious issue, a surveyor will recommend you to a mechanic or electrician who will take the components apart and perform a thorough assessment. Other times the surveyor may use special equipment that helps him see inside a component without taking it apart.
You Always Need a Fresh Survey
The worst mistake you can ever make when buying a boat is relying on a survey that was performed by the current owner. What you need to understand is that a marine survey is a snapshot of the boat at the specific time it is inspected. A lot can happen to the boat a few days after an inspection. There is no guarantee that a component that powered up during the last survey still works. That is why if you are interested in buying a used boat, the first thing you must do is get a new inspection.
Why You Need a Marine Survey
The last thing you want is to purchase a boat that is in poor condition. While you may be able to visually evaluate the boat yourself, certain issues easily escape an untrained eye. That is why you need to have a marine surveyor inspect the boat for you. A boat surveyor Fort Lauderdale will determine if the vessel meets the safety criteria and helps safeguard the passengers and crew. Moreover, it will be hard for you to secure insurance or financing if you don’t get a qualifying marine survey.
Who Needs a Marine Survey?
Anyone that currently owns a boat or plans on buying a used boat needs a marine survey. The survey will further help you know if you are carrying the right amount of insurance coverage.