Now that you have found the right used boat to buy, the next thing you should do is bring in experienced marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale trusts to assist with the inspection. While it is okay to buy a boat without performing a thorough inspection, you are in safer hands when you work with a competent surveyor. In this post, we will be looking at what marine surveyors focus on in a boat inspection.
Exterior
A marine survey usually starts with the visual inspection of the exterior of a boat. The goal is to help marine surveyors Ft Lauderdale depends on get a feel of the hull. This is very important because you don’t just want a beautiful boat but a sound boat that will keep you and your family safe. When inspecting the exterior of a boat, the surveyor will do the following:
- Check for damages or major repairs on the hull
- Inspect the condition of the decks, transom, fuel tank and bilge
- Make sure the stringers are connected properly
- If you are buying a sailing yacht, the boat surveyor will check the sails and rigging because they are very costly to replace.
Engine and electrical
Now that a record has been made on the condition of the exterior, the next step is to check the condition of the engine and electrical systems. These are basically the heart of the boat. If they are not working properly, they are not only expensive to repair and replace but your boat will not work without them. When inspecting the engine and the electrical, the surveyor will do the following:
- Check the condition of the oil
- Inspect for rust around the engine
- Inspect the belts, hoses and electrical connections
- Check the condition of the propeller
- Listen to the sound the engine makes
- Inspect all the electrics
Interior
The interior of a boat gives a good idea on how well the boat has been cared for. You should, however, note that some sellers will do temporary work to improve aesthetics. For the untrained eye, it is not easy to detect these kind of upgrades. An experienced marine surveyor in Ft Lauderdale will, however, be able to detect upgrades that have been done to cover the rot. Some of the things the surveyor will do include the following:
- Inspect for mold and mildew
- Check for leaks
- Check the hatches, doors and windshield
A lot goes into a boat inspection. To ensure you are not spending money on a doomed vessel, you will need the input of experienced marine surveyors in Ft Lauderdale. Hire someone that has inspected vessels that are similar to the one you are targeting.
Marine Surveyors Ft Lauderdale