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Marine Surveyors Naples FL – Key Areas to Focus on in a Used Boat

If you are on a tight budget but still want to be a proud boat owner, the most viable option is to go for the used boats. There are so many boats across Florida that are in mint condition. Finding a boat that works for you will be easy. However, you must keep in mind that used boats tend to have a number of hidden problems. Working with marine surveyors Naples FL trusts will help you identify most of these problems and avoid spending money on a doomed vessel. Here are some of the key areas surveyors focus on when inspecting a used boat.

Engine

The engine is the heart of a boat. As a result, it is one of the most expensive parts to repair. With that in mind, you must always ensure the boat you are buying has an engine that is in good condition. Marine surveyors Naples FL endorses will conduct several tests to determine the condition of the engine. They start with the dipstick to check the condition of the oil. If the engine oil is milky, that is a sign of water ingress. An engine with water ingress will be a ticking time bomb. The boat surveyor will let you know whether the engine is salvageable or not.

Electrical systems

Modern boats are equipped with all manner of electrical systems. They range from the light switches to the navigation systems. These systems make operating the boat easy. The first thing the surveyor will do is ensure all the systems are working properly. He will then check for electrical surges and inspect the fuse box for wear and tear. If there have been lots of obvious repairs, that is a sign the electrical systems will be problematic.

Hull

The hull is the body of the boat. It is what keeps the water out and determines the aesthetics of the boat. An out-of-water inspection is recommended in a hull inspection. This helps the surveyor to inspect the underwater parts. Any major problem will be documented. You can use this information to determine if buying the boat is a good idea or not.

Pumps

A boat has many pumps that need to be investigated. They include water makers and freshwater pumps, air conditioning systems, and bilge pumps. Pumps are an expensive repair. Make sure all the pumps are working as they should.

Mast and rigging

With sailing boats, the mast and rigging must be considered. A small fault can render the mast and rigging useless. The surveyor will begin the inspection at the chain plate where the rig is affixed to the structure. The surveyor will check for cracks, corrosion, and correct fitting.

Finding problems in a used boat shouldn’t demoralize you. In most cases, you can use the findings to negotiate a lower price. Always make sure the damages are repairable before proceeding with the purchase of a used boat.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Lauderdale – Guide for Buying a Boat from a Private Party

Thousands of used boats change hands every year. The market is thriving because used boats offer the cheapest way of becoming a boat owner. However, this does not me you go into it blindly. In addition to retaining the services of a boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts, there are many things you must do when buying a boat from a private party.

See the boat in person

While this point might seem obvious, many people skip to bargaining long before they have a chance to see what they are buying. This is more so when the ad is posted online. You must never trust everything the boat owner tells you. More often than not, sellers will only stress the good and ignore the bad altogether. Seeing the boat in person helps you determine if it is what you want and gives you a chance to assess it personally before spending money on a boat surveyor Fort Lauderdale recommends. Boats are listed in many places, including the local newspapers. Make sure you get the seller’s contact information and make arrangements to see the boat before doing anything else.

Get a thorough inspection

Most boat owners will work on the aesthetics when getting ready to sell. They will fix up minor damages and cover up the serious ones. At first sight, a damaged boat can seem like a good investment. However, it takes a trained and experienced eye to spot major problems. That is why you should bring in a marine surveyor in Fort Myers. Always select your surveyor and not the one recommended by the seller.

Marine surveyors can spot major problems that a vessel might have. They will also help with valuation and check the paperwork. The input of a surveyor can give you the points you need to negotiate a better deal with the seller. A surveyor will also keep you from making a bad investment.

Sea trial

Although not all boat surveys involve a sea trial, if the vessel you are buying is in good sailing condition, you need to test how it runs. Having your surveyor on board will be great because the sea trial will help spot additional issues that may not have been determined any other way. Make sure you ask questions during the sea trial to know how everything works. Make sure everything is tested.

Draw up a purchase agreement

Just because you are buying a boat from a friend does not mean you trust them blindly. In addition to getting an inspection done by an experienced surveyor of your choosing, you have to draw up a purchase agreement. The agreement should list everything you have agreed with the seller. There are templates available online. Having an agreement signed by both parties gives you leverage in case there is any disagreement in the future. 

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – Why Should You Buy a Boat in Winter?

When it comes to buying boats, whether used or brand new, the warmer spring and summer months are the most popular time. This is when people are more comfortable staying outside and planning for the sunny days. The high demand for boats causes the prices to go up. It is, thus, better to start shopping in the colder months when fewer people are buying boats and when sellers are more desperate. There is also a low demand for surveyors, as a result, finding the best boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts will be easier.

Boat prices are high in the summer months

It feels strange to buy something you will not use for several months. For example, most people don’t shop for swimwear in December because they will not use them for months. The case is the same in the boat market. Most people don’t go shopping for boats in the off-seasons. What you should note, however, is thanks to the low demand of used boats in winter, the prices are very low. Winter is the low season of boat buying. It is the best time to get boats at unbeatable prices. However, to avoid surprises later on, always let a boat surveyor Fort Myers affirms inspect the boat before buying. Sometimes the prices are too low for reason.

There are more choices during winter

When the demand for boats is high, there is more competition over the same product. When more people vie for the same type of boat, the prices go up. During this time, you can find yourself making compromises on features or models in order to secure a boat. There is less demand for boats during winter. Consequently, you have a better chance of finding a boat with all the specifications you want. The low season further gives you time to think, get a comprehensive boat survey, look around at comparable models and be certain you are choosing the best boat. This is unlike the high season where you are pressured to buy before someone else closes the deal.

Spend the off-season getting the boat ready

Most used boats will have issues you have to fix before you can put them on water. There is plenty of free time during the winter months. There is also less pressure on shipyards. You can use this time to leisurely get your boat ready.

There is no good or bad time to buy a boat. Winter, however, offers the best freedom. Before making the final decision on a boat, make sure you work with a boat surveyor in Fort Myers. The surveyor will help you learn about all the issues the boat has so that you are not blindsided.

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Marine Surveyor Estero – Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Boat

Buying a boat is a major purchase and is not something that should ever be rushed into. Boat owners have a lot to say on what to do and what not to do when buying a boat. To get unbiased information on the boat buying process, the person you should speak to is a marine surveyor Estero stands behind. This is an expert involved in the inspection of boats. Their input will help you determine if the investment you are about to make is a good one or not. In addition to that, there are three mistakes you must never make.

Buying a brand new boat as your first boat

If you are new to boating and you have the money, it can make sense to go for a brand new boat. The truth boating has a steep learning curve. Rarely do boaters get it right 100% the first time. As your experience grows, you will be compelled to upgrade to a better boat. The reason going for brand new is not the best choice is because brand new boats cost more. They also cost more to repair and maintain than old boats. Going for a used boat helps you save money and helps you explore more knowing in case you end up wrecking the boat, you will not lose a lot. However, before you buy a used boat, make sure you hire a marine surveyor Estero approves, for a thorough inspection. You don’t want to buy a boat that is too damaged. 

Working with the wrong surveyor

While working with a boat surveyor is a great idea when targeting a used boat, you should not hire just any surveyor. If you hire an inexperienced surveyor, you will get an incomprehensive survey report. The report will not include major issues. At the end of the day, you may end up paying a hefty price for hiring the wrong surveyor. For the purposes of insurance, your insurer will require that you work with a surveyor with a certain level of experience and certification. Make sure you find someone that will be approved by your insurer.

Assuming the best place to buy a boat is at the boat show

Last but not least, the best place to buy a used boat is not always the boat show. While these are great places to browse the latest models of boats, you will not get the best prices in boat shows. Prior to purchasing a boat in a boat show, consider looking at other similar boats. There are so many boats that are on sale at any given time. You stand a chance of striking the best bargain when you approach individual sellers. Always make sure you involve a marine surveyor in Estero before making the final decision on a boat.

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Marine Surveyors Naples FL – What You Should Know About a Pre-Purchase Survey

The question most prospective boat buyers ask is why they need a pre-purchase survey. The answer is to get a thorough assessment of the vessel they plan on buying. With the help of marine surveyors Naples FL believes in, you will be able to know if the boat you are about to buy will be a great investment or not. A boat survey is needed even on vessels that seem to be in good condition. In most cases, the problems you don’t see are the worst.

In addition to learning more about a used boat, a marine survey may be mandatory more so when it is requested by an insurance provider. It is common for insurance companies to ask for a marine survey report before issuing a cover. Experienced marine surveyors Naples FL trusts will inspect the vessel thoroughly, usually while it is in and out of water. The focus is to cover the list provided by the insurance provider and to ensure the vessel has good structural integrity.

A marine survey is typically requested by a buyer. This means the buyer is the one who pays for the service. For a seller to allow you to perform a survey on their vessel, the seller must accept your offer. Make sure the offer you provide is subject to the results of the survey. That way, if major issues are found, you can pull out of the deal. Keep in mind that most buyers will require that you show commitment. This means you may have to put down a sizeable deposit.

What is included in the report

The primary role of a marine surveyor is to undertake a thorough inspection of a boat; from the bottom up. The surveyor will inspect the vessel using official guidelines which cover the minimum requirements for engine, safety equipment, waste systems, electrical systems and navigation lights. It is the job of the surveyor to identify areas that are unsafe or may ultimately cost you a lot of money in the future.

A surveyor will not offer a personal opinion on whether to proceed with the purchase or not. They only compile a detailed and factual report. It is your job to use the survey report to make your decision on whether to buy the boat or not. The survey report includes descriptions of the boat, onboard systems and the surveyor’s findings in descending order. Photographs will also be included.

While getting a survey is important before buying a vessel, you must ensure that you get the survey from reputable marine surveyors in Naples. Keep in mind that the surveyor only listens and observes; he never takes components apart. If further examination is needed, he will recommend working with a mechanic or electrician.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – What is Involved in a Pre-Purchase Survey

Getting a survey performed on a boat is not only prudent but also required by lenders and most insurance companies. This is more so when buying an older boat. The important point to remember when choosing a boat surveyor Fort Myers is there is no accreditation that is needed to become a surveyor. Anyone with a little knowledge of boats can print business cards and claim to be a qualified marine surveyor. To ensure the surveyor you hire is truly knowledgeable, you need to ask around about him and take a look at his track record. It is only with a competent marine surveyor in Fort Myers that you will get the most comprehensive boat survey report.

As you get ready for a pre-purchase survey, it is good that you understand what is involved. That way you will not second guess the actions of the boat surveyor Fort Myers. Here are the three key things that take place.

Checklist

After finding your dream boat and making the necessary arrangements with the seller, your marine surveyor will provide you with a complete checklist of everything that will be covered. The surveyor may start by learning about the history of the boat. This includes finding out how many previous owners there have been. The surveyor will also find out where the boat spent most of its life, the sort of bottom paint it has and any construction details. Documentations will also be checked to ensure everything is in order. After this, the real inspection starts.

Scrutiny of structural and support systems

A pre-purchase survey involves thorough scrutiny of all the structural and support systems onboard. The surveyor will ensure everything functions properly. The hull-to-deck joints will be examined and signs of corrosion or damage will be noted. If there is a problem that cannot be verified without taking components apart, the surveyor will request that you bring in a mechanic or electrician for a closer look. To confirm that everything is working properly, a sea trial will be done.

Hauling the boat

For a complete boat survey, the vessel needs to be hauled. Doing so gives the surveyor a chance to check out the underbody. The surveyor mostly looks for blisters and other problems. The thru-hulls will also be examined for corrosion and hairline cracks. The shaft, propeller and cutlass bearing will also be examined. The distance from the waterline to the bottom of the keel will be measured if you are worried about being stuck in the mud.

A full pre-purchase survey typically takes a whole day. You will be provided with a survey report a few days after the inspection. 

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How to Vet a Boat Surveyor Fort Myers

With so many marine surveyors working in Florida, one of the most difficult and critical components when buying a used boat is vetting a boat surveyor Fort Myers. The wrong surveyor will give you poor, incomplete surveys that miss critical defects and flaws. It is your job to make sure you find the best surveyor from whom you will get a thorough and painlessly survey. But how do you do that? Here are some important things you must do when vetting a surveyor.

Word of mouth

The best source of information about a boat surveyor Fort Myers is people who have worked with a surveyor before. This includes family, friends and other boat owners. Boat owners’ groups and web forums will also be a great source of information. By reaching out to people who have worked with surveyors, you will be able to find the complaints clients have about a specific surveyor. The respondents will also share tips that will help narrow down your list of potential marine surveyors. The important rule is to not rely on recommendations from one respondent. People can be biased. However, if several people recommend the same surveyor, that is a good sign. 

Local boat yard manager

Boatyard managers work with all manner of boat surveyors. They also read many survey reports in the course of doing their job. Reaching out to a high-volume yard manager will help you find a competent surveyor faster. It is, however, important to remember that any source of recommendation might be biased or flawed. Some surveyors pay people to give positive reviews. As you get recommendations, keep in mind that this will be a case of ‘buyer beware’.

Your insurance underwriter or broker

Insurance providers have vested interests in ensuring you get a thorough survey. They don’t want to take on bad risks. As a result, chances of getting a good recommendation on a surveyor from an insurance underwriter or broker are pretty high. These professionals will also recommend surveyors whose reports they accept. Additionally, even after finding the best surveyor, it is good to contact your insurance company to know if they meet the insurer’s special requirements.

Check credentials

Recommendations will help compile a list of promising surveyors in Fort Myers. The next thing you must do is narrow the list further down. You can do that by looking at the credentials of a surveyor. Does the surveyor have any professional memberships? Keep in mind that membership in an organization is not a prerequisite and doesn’t guarantee competency. Take note of the surveyor’s experience, and the types of vessels he/she surveys.

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What Does a Marine Surveyor Estero Focus on Below Deck?

So many questions come to mind after hiring a marine surveyor Estero. Some of those questions revolve around what will the surveyor look at. While the best way to get answers to these questions is to ask the surveyor, there is a certain peace of mind that comes with knowing what the surveyor will be looking for. With so many things required to be looked at, in this post we will be looking at what is inspected below deck. Let’s get started.

Bilge

The first stop is the bilge. This is the area on the hull where the bottom curves to connect with the vertical sides. The surveyor will check for water leakage. The marine surveyor Estero will also look at the keel bolts, and inspect the condition of the hose and bilge pump. Any visible cracking or deformation will be put in the survey report.

Keel bolts

If you are buying a used boat, the surveyor will want to know when the keel bolts were last checked. They will check to see if the boat has an iron or lead keel. Are the bolts cast in place or are they thru-bolted? Keel bolts are not usually replaced. It is, however, a great idea to check their condition at least once every 10 years. If a replacement is needed, the boat surveyor will let you know. While there is nothing you can do during the survey, you can use the condition of the keel bolts to bargain with the seller.

Water staining

The vessel has to be checked for water stains. This is more so when it comes to the underside of the chain-plate connections, windows and hatches. Water stains indicate that there are leaks and if they are not fixed they may end up causing major problems to your vessel.

Rust and corrosion

The surveyor will go below the deck to check for rust and corrosion. These are a major concern. If the rust is too much, the structure of your vessel may be compromised. 

Thru-hulls

The boat surveyor will operate every thru-hull to ensure they work. The surveyor will also check for corrosion and look at the hose connections. The thru-hull hose connection must have 2 gear clamps.

Bulkheads

The connection between the bulkheads and the deck/hull has to be looked at. If it is out of place, there is a chance the vessel was involved in a major collision or has other major deformations.

Chain-plates

The underside of the chain plates will be inspected for signs of corrosion or water intrusion. Issues with the chain plate are usually a big deal. The surveyor will recommend immediate repairs.

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Marine Surveyors Naples FL – How to Get the Most from a Marine Survey

When buying the first boat, most people prefer to go for the used ones. They are cheaper and have been verified to holdup in the region they are used and for the activity, they are used for. However, as you get in the market for a used boat, the most important thing you should do is work with marine surveyors Naples FL.

Common mistake buyers make is that of assuming they can inspect a vessel on their own. The truth is if you lack the experience, skills and specialized equipment, you will not be able to find every flaw in a boat. This is where the need for marine surveyors Naples FL comes in. In this post, we will be looking at the key things you should do to rip the most benefits from the input of a boat surveyor in Naples, Florida.

Never miss a survey

The best piece of advice you can get is to never miss a survey. You need to be present for the survey so as to ask the right questions and learn more about the boat buying process. The good thing is most surveyors are happy to answer your questions and share professional advice. Being present for the survey further means you will be around to help the surveyor in any way he wants.

Experience is more important than price

You definitely want to keep the costs of a marine survey down. That is the only way you will be able to have more money left for the boat purchase. This does not, however, mean that you go for the cheapest service provider in your area. Amateurs tend to charge less for their services in order to lure more clients in. Needless to say, working with an inexperienced surveyor will only result in missed issues on the boat. Choose a surveyor based on their experience and not how much they charge. The range of services they offer also matters. You don’t want to keep hopping from one surveyor to the next whenever your needs change, do you?

Use the survey to negotiate

The reason you need a pre-purchase survey done is so as to have an upper hand during negotiations. For example, if you notice there are systems that need to be replaced, you can use this information to force the seller to bring their price down. A marine surveyor in Florida will further include a fair market value of the boat. This information will help you know if the seller is overcharging you. If the seller’s price is way below the fair market value, don’t rush to close the deal. Find out why the price is that low.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – How a Sailing Yacht Survey is Done

Yachts are recreational ships or boats. The term comes from the Dutch Jacht which means ‘hunt’. These vessels were defined as light fast sailing vessels that were used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates as well as other transgressors. It is not until it was chosen by Charles II of England that it became known as the vessel for conveying important persons. If you are thing about buying a used yacht, working with a boat surveyor Fort Myers is one of the best things you can do. The surveyor will give you a comprehensive inspection of the vessel to help you know if it is a good fit or not. Here are some of the things a boat surveyor will do. 

Hull inspection

It is the duty of a boat surveyor Fort Myers to make sure that the body of the vessel is in good condition. Oftentimes, a hull inspection requires the yacht to be placed in a dry-dock or slipped away. The marine surveyor then inspects the keel, stern frame, stem, rudder and the outside and bottom of the vessel. The surveyor makes sure the body is in satisfactory condition. If repairs are needed, the surveyor will inform you.

All openings to the sea

Every opening to the sea has to be examined. This includes the sanitary and overboard discharges. The surveyor will also take a look at all the valves that are connected. If the vessel is made of aluminum, insulating materials in the joints of the shell connections and between dissimilar metals will be examined.

The surveyor will also take a look at the following items:

  • Hatches
  • Superstructures
  • Skylights
  • Companionways
  • Ventilator and air pipe coamings
  • Openings in the yacht’s sides including the freeing ports
  • Flush deck scuttles

Steering gear

To ensure the vessel is in good operating condition, the boat surveyor will also inspect all the accessible parts of the steering gear. This will include every associated equipment as well as a control system. The steering gear must be tested operationally. The key is to ensure everything is in satisfactory condition.

Other areas that will be inspected include:

  • Anchoring equipment
  • Aluminum or steel yachts have to be gauged in line with the regulations
  • Decks, casings and superstructures must be examined
  • Interior of the vessel may be opened out by removing ceiling, lining or portable tanks
  • Fastenings must be hammer-tested to evaluate their soundness.
  • Wood decks/sheathing must be examined and caulking be tested and re-caulked.

A lot goes into a yacht inspection. This post barely covers all the areas that will be inspected. Sitting down with a surveyor to understand what will be done is the only way to know what will be done. Find a boat surveyor with a good reputation.

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