Product Spotlight | Save Money with a Marine Surveyor

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]By Tony Anton, Marine Surveyor [/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Why Should I hire a Marine Surveyor? What kind of things would he be looking for? [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Anytime you make a considerable investment in a home or boat, you want to make sure you're getting what you're paying for. You wouldn't buy a home without an inspection? When you are considering buying a boat your excitement and emotional levels are very high (kind of like a new romance). This is when the mistakes start. [/FONT]

• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Loss of focus[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Overlooking details and crucial parts of the boat[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Not considering the overall value of the vessel[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Most Importantly the mechanical and structural integrity of the vessel[/FONT]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Remember all that glitters is not gold. [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]There should always be a second opinion. That's where a surveyor comes in. I can't tell you how many times I have meet with my client and stood there and explained the list of things that really needed attention; only to have him say what did you say "no kidding?". In his mind he's already running the boat. [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Some of the things the professional will be looking for when doing a survey. [/FONT]


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• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Blisters on the hull and bottom[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Gel coat damage[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Moisture levels throughout the bottom and hull[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Running gear, bent props and shafts, loose outdrives[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Transom damage and soft spots[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Foredeck and aft deck stress cracking and moisture levels[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Damage to the gel coat and deck coring[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Engine oil appearance and levels[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Stringer and bulkhead integrity (moisture levels)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Water lines and mechanical feeds (cracking, Broken)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Fuel tanks and fuel lines (safety, Grounds etc)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Sanitary systems[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Low and high voltage wiring and systems[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Bilge pumps and there operation and location[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Steering systems[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Onboard electronics and there operation[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Helm switches and operation[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Helm and deck seating(rips in vinyl, overall appearance)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Cabin appearance and any signs for leaks.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Galley equipment and there operation[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Security of hatches and doors.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Electrical panel and its wiring throughout the vessel[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]On board USCG safety equipment[/FONT]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]This is only a partial list of some of problems look for. As you can see there is a lot to look at. Many times I have had clients call me after they had already purchased the vessel only to find that they indeed made an expensive decision. The cost of a survey is generally about 2% of the vessel cost. One repair of any the Items listed above could easily exceed the cost of a survey. [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]A survey does not necessarily pass or fail. Throughout the survey process the surveyor compiles a list of things that need attention, repair and or present a safety issue. Of course we will need to address the safety issues first. Depending on the length of the list and any items requiring major work, it becomes a question of cost of repairs or upgrades verses the price of the vessel. [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Some of the things you will receive on a good surveyor's report. [/FONT]

• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]20-50 page report[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Findings and recommendations [/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Statement to the vessels overall value[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Details on every part of the vessel and its machinery[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Diagrams of the vessels systems[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Vessel overall condition[/FONT]
• [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Detailed Photos[/FONT]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]So, as you can see there is more to buying a vessel other than glitter and gold. There is a lot more to the process and well worth the investment. You don't want to be heard using the old adage, "A boat is a depression in the water the owner tries to fill with money." [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Tony Anton is a marine surveyor in northern Ohio with decades of experience for recreational and commercial vessels in fresh and salt water. Capt. Tony's email is: captaintony@adelphia.net[/FONT]