Thanks to the endless coastline in Florida, there is no shortage of boats to buy and buyers to sell your boat to. As a result of this, Florida probably has one of the largest numbers of marine surveyors in the country. Finding boat surveyors Ft Lauderdale will definitely be easy. The problem, however, is that not all surveyors have what it takes to offer great services. That is why you need to ask the right questions.
When vetting boat surveyors Ft Lauderdale, start by making sure they work full time as marine surveyors. Second, you have to ensure that they have experience working on vessels similar to yours. If you need the survey to satisfy your lender or for insurance purposes, make sure the surveyor will be accepted by your lender or insurer. The number of years the surveyor has been in business also matters. With that out of the way, here are some important things you should do once you find the right boat surveyor.
Let the surveyor know your expectations
If you don’t tell the surveyor what you need out of the survey, your needs might not be met. For example, if the surveyor doesn’t know the level of compliance you are seeking, the surveyor will only focus on the basics. Keep in mind that only a handful of vessels are 100% compliant. Always insist on scrutiny of any selected category such as electrical, fuel leakage, and hull fittings. If the owner claims their vessel is compliant, the work of the surveyor will be confirming compliance.
Know the type of survey you need
The next thing you must do even before you retain the services of a boat surveyor in Ft Lauderdale is to ensure that they can offer the services you need.
- Do you need a hull and deck moisture survey?
- To what degree should the surveyor check the engine and the generator?
- Do you need a galvanic corrosion test to be done?
- Do you need a transmission oil analysis?
Make a list of all the things you want to be inspected before you hire a surveyor. If you need a survey done for insurance purposes, your insurer will provide you with a list of items that must be included in the survey report. Make sure the surveyor can offer the services you need before hiring them.
Ask if you need the services of other professionals
Last but not least, you want to know if you will have to bring in another professional during or after the inspection. A good marine surveyor will let you know when you need to bring in electricians, paint coating specialists or fiberglass composite specialists. The surveyor will test every gear on the boat and let you know which ones need to be repaired or replaced.