Is a marine survey worth it? This is a common question asked by both boat owners and aspiring boat owners. Most people assume that they can perform a thorough inspection on a boat they are targeting. The truth is doing an inspection on your own leaves you at a disadvantage. This is because you lack the specialized equipment and experience to perform a thorough inspection. In this post, we will be taking a look at what is looked at during a sea trial.
Access the structural condition of the boat
When buying a used boat, hiring an experienced professional for a Fort Lauderdale marine survey will be a great idea. The reason for this is that you will have to assess the structural condition of the boat. Doing a good job in the inspection requires having background knowledge of the vessel so that you know what to look for. This is what you get from a marine surveyor.
Assessing the structural condition of a vessel is done before and during a sea trial. The surveyor will do the following:
- Walk around the boat and thump the sides. If the water intrusion is suspected, the surveyor will use a moisture meter to get more information.
- Inspect the condition of the underwater gear.
- Test everything including rails, seats, stowage compartments, and hinges.
- Test all electronics and electrical items.
Check the condition of power systems
The sea trial offers the best way to inspect the condition of the power systems. This is because it offers the surveyor a chance to observe and listen to the performance of the engine. It is during a sea trial that the surveyor will hear any unusual noises and feel unexpected vibrations. Thermal imaging equipment may be used to get a closer look at how power systems work.
For a used vessel, the surveyor will want to perform a cold start. This means the boat should be stone cold when being fired up. This is when you will notice most problems before the engine warms up. The surveyor will also take note of how the shifter works.
Seakeeping abilities
It is during a sea trial that the surveyor will test the seakeeping abilities of your target boat. This is done by hitting waves from different angles to see how the boat performs.
With the above information in mind, it is easy to see why the answer to the question of is a marine survey worth it is a resounding yes. However, for the survey to be truly worth it, you have to work with the best marine surveyor in the business.