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Why Must You Work with Boat Surveyors Naples Fl

Most people first hear about boat surveyors Naples Fl when buying their first boat. Others hear about these professionals when their insurance provider or lender asks them to get a survey. But how important are the services of a marine surveyor? In this post, we shall be looking at the top reasons why it is important to work with a boat surveyor.

What is a marine survey?

To better understand the importance of working with a surveyor, you first need to understand what a boat survey is. Just as the name implies, a boat survey is a comprehensive inspection of a boat. It is the equivalent of getting a roadworthy certificate for a car. The purpose of the survey is to identify problems, highlight weaknesses that may lead to major problems and provide a detailed picture of the overall condition of the vessel. To get a reliable valuation, you need the expertise of boat surveyors Naples Fl.

Now that you understand what a boat survey is, let’s take a look at the importance of working with a surveyor.

Provide unbiased assessment

When buying a used boat, you have to accept the fact that the seller will not reveal every flaw that the vessel has. In most cases, sellers focus on the best parts. It is your job to find out what is wrong with the boat you are about to buy. This is what makes a marine survey important. It has to be carried out as a condition for the purchase. Bring in a surveyor to assess every aspect of the vessel including the rigging, electrical systems, plumbing, structural as well as mechanical components. A sea trial must also be done. The surveyor will provide you with a detailed survey report that helps you better understand the vessel you are about to purchase. Pay attention to the feedback of the surveyor before going ahead with the purchase.

For insurance valuation

Did you know that most insurance companies will require a marine survey to be done before insuring your vessel? This is more so when it comes to pre-owned vessels. The insurance provider may send their own surveyors or ask you to work with surveyors they approve. Working with an independent surveyor ensures you get the best insurance coverage.

Protect your investment

Another key reason you must work with boat surveyors is so as to protect your investment. Buying and owning a boat is a big investment. You want to be certain that your boat is not doomed to be a total loss. That is why working with a marine surveyor is important. The surveyor will perform a thorough inspection of the vessel to ensure there are no serious hidden issues. The survey will also help you identify issues that require immediate attention.

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Marine Surveyor Estero – How to Make the Experience of a Marine Survey Better

When it is time to buy a used boat, the first thing you must do is make sure you get the boat thoroughly evaluated. That is the only way you will avoid investing in a doomed vessel. But how do you ensure you have a great experience? In this post, we will be looking at the key things you must do to ensure you and your marine surveyor Estero gets the best experience.

Do your research

There is nothing better than knowing what will be done during a marine survey. That is the only way you will be able to remain relaxed throughout the process. Start by knowing the qualifies of a great marine surveyor Estero and the services they should offer. You also need to know how a survey is done, what your role will be and how long it will take. This knowledge will help you remain at ease throughout the survey.

It is not all about the cost

The worst mistake you can make is hiring a boat surveyor based on their service cost alone. What you need to remember is that just because a surveyor charges premium fees does not mean his work will be impeccable. While it is important to know what the cost of the survey will be, you need to evaluate the competence of a surveyor further. Start by looking at their experience, track record and what recent clients are saying about them. If you need a survey done to satisfy insurance providers, you want to be certain that the surveyor will be approved by your preferred insurance company.

Understand that the surveyor only works for you

When you hire a marine surveyor, it is important to note that you will be the one paying their bill. You, therefore, need to understand what their fees cover and what the report will entail. The surveyor will only share his findings with you. This is unless you direct him to share the information with other individuals. You must also keep in mind that the survey report is only good for a specific period of time. The survey report is only a snapshot of the boat’s condition at the time the survey is done. Don’t rely on old surveys.

Get the boat ready

Last but not least, to speed up the survey, you need to make sure the boat is prepared. Start by ensuring the boat can be accessed easily by the marine surveyor. You need to declutter it and ensure the surveyor will have access to every area on the boat. You don’t need to remove everything from the boat but the surveyor will really appreciate reasonable access.

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Marine Surveyors Naples Fl – What Does Boat Survey Usually Cover?

While there are many marine surveyors Naples Fl you can work with, not all of them offer the services you need. That is why considering the experience, reputation and type of service a surveyor offers is very important before hiring. Second, you need to understand what the survey will involve in order to be relaxed as the surveyor does his or her work. Here are the common areas that are inspected in a survey.

Hull

In most cases, a boat survey usually starts with the inspection of the hull. This includes looking at the underwater, topsides and deck conditions. The marine surveyors Naples Fl will pay attention to the frame or matrix arrangement as well as the condition of the hull-to-keel joint. The focus here is identifying damage to the hull and determine if repairs will be enough.

Rudder

When it comes to used boats, rudder blades are a common problem. This is more so if the vessel is more than 20 years old. These blades can absorb moisture which leads to structural problems. The boat surveyor will perform basic inspections to confirm the condition of the rudder blades. The test may involve tapping the blades with a ball pein hammer or using a moisture meter.

Engine

The condition of the engine has to be reviewed in a pre-purchase survey. The whole purpose of a sea trial is to see how the engine holds up. At times, the survey may plug-in software to diagnose the condition of the engine. The surveyor will provide you with a list of faults after plugging the engine into the diagnostic computer. Keep in mind that most of the problems that can be detected by the diagnostic computer are harder to notice during a sea trial. The survey will also comment on oil leaks, condition of the engine beds, fuel tankage, engine mounts, fuel lines, filters, drive belts, cooling systems and exhaust systems. All the findings will be included in the survey report.

If the surveyor feels there are more serious engine issues that need a closer look before compiling a report, you may be required to work with a mechanic or electrician. The surveyor will only complete the report after getting feedback from any of these specialists. 

Systems

A pre-purchase survey is not complete until all the onboard systems are tested. Therefore, as you get ready for a survey, you need to make sure that the batteries are well charged in order to power all onboard systems. The surveyor will comment on the navigation lights, bilge pumps, water systems, water pumps, shower pump outs and more. Diesel heaters will also be inspected.

Other areas that may be inspected include the rigging and safety equipment. Always keep in mind that how thorough a survey is will depend on the surveyor you hire.

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Marine Surveyor Fort Myers – Understanding the Boat Surveying Process

After locating the right boat to buy, the next thing you have to think about is the surveying process. Getting a boat surveyed by an experienced marine surveyor Fort Myers is very important when you want to avoid surprises after paying for it. This is because a thorough survey will help you understand the exact condition of the vessel, help you know how much the repairs will cost and help you know its fair market value. But how does the survey process work?

Boat surveying process

A marine surveyor Fort Myers will not be allowed to do his job until there is an agreed offer between the buyer and the seller. The buyer pays for the survey and hauling of the boat while the seller provides the sea trial. This means the surveyor works for you, the buyer. As a result, the buyer will want to be certain you are serious about buying the vessel before agreeing to a surveyor inspecting the boat. In most cases, you will be required to pay a deposit.

After a surveyor has been selected, a date is scheduled for the survey. A typical survey starts in the morning and concludes by midday. A haul may be required to inspect the bottom of the vessel. The vessel will then be relaunched to allow for a sea trial. A sea trial mostly checks the engines and the sails. Sea trials take about an hour. The boat will be brought back to the dock and the surveyor will continue inspecting the boat until they are done. If you are present during the survey, the surveyor may go over the main points on the same day. It will take about 3 business days for you to get the complete survey report.

Cost of survey

The surveyor works for the person who hires them. A seller can hire a surveyor to instill confidence in potential buyers. In this case, the seller will pay for the survey. In most cases, the buyer hires the surveyor. Typically, it costs about $25 per foot for mono-hulls and about $30 per foot for catamarans. You also have to factor in an additional $200 to $300 for the marine surveyor to come back and sign off on the repairs before closing. The haul-out fees are also paid on the day of the survey and cost between $6 and $9 per foot.

Just because a seller had a boat survey done recently doesn’t mean you cannot hire your own surveyor. This is more so if the survey was done more than 6 months ago. Keep in mind that a survey is a snapshot of the boat’s condition on the day the survey was done. A lot can change within a few weeks.

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Marine Surveyors Naples Fl – What is Inspected in a Boat Survey

Buying a boat is a process that shares some similarities to buying a car or home. There are, however, some important differences. While the process of purchasing a boat is somewhat straightforward, you must keep in mind that about 80% of boats sold today are pre-owned. Pre-owned vessels may have some hidden issues. It is your job to identify these issues early to avoid investing in a doomed vessel. This is where the services of marine surveyors Naples Fl come in.

The primary duty of marine surveyors Naples Fl is to perform a complete evaluation of a vessel in order to compile a report on required repairs, suitability of a vessel to the intended use and determine the fair market value of the vessel among other things. The question you may have at this point is this; what is involved in a marine inspection?

Registration

The first thing a surveyor will do is find and note the hull identification number (HIN). He also checks the state or federal registration marks. This will help you know if the vessel was acquired genuinely, what it was used for and for how long it has been in use.

Moisture readings

While they are designed to be on the water, issues can cause a boat to take in water. When this happens, so many problems follow. That is why one of the jobs of a surveyor is to take moisture readings in the hull and deck. He will also check for blistering or delamination. The structural integrity of the stringers, transom and bulkheads will also be inspected.

Electrical systems

Just like your car, a boat comes with a wide range of gadgets. These are meant to monitor the condition of the vessel and also make sailing easy. Your boat surveyor will check these systems and make sure they are all working properly. In addition to that, the surveyor will help you know the cost of repairing or replacing damaged electrical systems. You will also be informed if there are any missing systems.

Underwater gear

Part of the survey involves inspecting the condition of the underwater gear. This includes the propellers, struts, shafts and key fasteners like floorboards and structural bolts. The surveyor will also do a fuel system inspection. The surveyor will then make an inventory of the required safety gear. This will vary from one type of boat to the next.

A lot has to be looked at in a marine survey. Your biggest task is to find the most competent marine surveyors Naples Fl to help with the inspection. You also need to be present during the inspection, get the boat ready for the inspection and have the money ready to pay for the services rendered.

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Best Tips for Buying Boat Insurance Naples Fl

The price of the boat is the first expense. Your marine surveyor in Naples Fl will help you understand if you are paying a fair price for it or not. Once that is done, you have to think about the cost of storage, insurance and maintenance. These costs can really add up. This is more so when it comes to boat insurance Naples Fl.

Boat insurance is a subject best left to the experts. Your boat surveyor can be a great source of information. The goal here is to get comprehensive information on cost, requirements and what is covered. In this post, our focus will be on how to buy the best boat insurance Naples Fl.

Know your insurer

Don’t be swayed by the promises an insurance company makes. Before you even review their packages, start by doing research on them. To get the most from an insurance cover, you must get it from a reputable agent. There are so many insurers who have gained a reputation for being a headache to their clients. You don’t want to work with such insurers. You want your legitimate claim to be honored without setting up camp at their door. The company you select must also specialize in boats.

Understand the difference between agreed and cash value

One of the reasons you should involve a marine surveyor in Naples when applying for insurance is so as to get unbiased information on certain insurance terms. When buying insurance, you will have two main choices to make: agreed value and actual cash value. Agreed value policy is more expensive but it pays more because it pays the stated value of the policy in the event of total loss. Actual cash value policy, on the other hand, costs less but only pays the actual cash value at the time of loss. This means depreciation will be factored in. actual cash value is only ideal for a less expensive boat.

Understand the truth on salvage

When your boat is damaged, it will have to be salvaged. The best policy is the one that covers 100% of the insured valued. If the policy covers anything less than 100%, you may end up paying salvage costs from your own money. Most insurance policies limit salvage coverage to a certain percentage of the total value of the boat.  

Understand the insurance language

Boat insurance Naples FL must never be treated like any other insurance. Take time to understand precisely what is being covered and what will not be covered. If a policy doesn’t make sense, ask for an explanation. The idea is never to agree to anything without first understanding what it means.

One size doesn’t fit all

Last but not least, you must work with a boat surveyor in Naples Fl to understand the type and size of insurance you should get for your boat. Don’t rely solely on what the surveyor from the insurance company says.

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Yacht Insurance Naples Fl – Common Causes for Insurance Claims

Yacht insurance Naples Fl is there as a precaution in case something happens to your boat. While most boat owners never ever get the need to file a claim, it is always good to have a cover in place than to need one and not have it. Knowing why and how damages to a yacht occur can help avoid them and know when to file an insurance claim. In this post, we will be looking at the main reasons boat owners file for an insurance claim.

Striking a submerged object

You may be a great captain but there are certain things you cannot avoid.  Striking a submerged object is the main reason most boat owners end up filing a claim with their boat insurance company. Needless to say, there has been an increase in the number of floating debris due to storms and extreme tides. Being vigilant while sailing is important but unfortunately the risk of striking a submerged object is pretty high. Striking submerged objects is the leading cause of sunken boat claims. If you have yacht insurance Naples Fl and you hit a submerged object, you should check the bilge immediately and frequently thereafter.  

Sinking

A boat can sink for any reason. It may be because you hit a submerged object or the lesser fittings such as clamps and hoses are damaged. Clamps and hoses only last a couple of years and will fail before the beefy seacock that they are attached to. Rainwater that is not drained properly may also cause a boat to sink. Clogged scupper kills the battery and the bilge pump. If you plan on selling your boat, you should take note that the marine surveyor in Naples Florida will pay close attention to the effects of improperly drained rainwater. You have to keep a keen eye on these items.

Fire

DC wiring faults are the leading cause of yacht fires. Most problems are caused by chafed wires which result from poor support or insecure attachment. The AC shore-power cord inlets also cause fires as they wear and corrode.

Bad weather

You cannot control the weather. The best you can do is make plans for a boat surveyor to inspect the condition of your boat so that you can tackle repairs without delay. To avoid being charged high premiums by boat insurance companies for filing too many claims, consider protecting your boat from bad weather. Start by minimizing windage, tying up securely, guarding against chafe as well as staying protected to reduce storm damage. For lightning strikes, ensure your yacht has the proper bonding system to direct strikes to the ground.

Even if you have the best yacht insurance Naples Fl, you should note that filing fewer claims will make you an ideal client and insurance companies will give you better deals. Last but not least, don’t depend too much on the valuation done by your insurance company. Hire a marine surveyor for an independent survey and valuation. That way you will get the most comprehensive cover for your yacht.

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Boat Surveyor Estero – What is a Pre-Purchase Survey?

Finding a boat surveyor Estero is not as hard. You will get so many recommendations with a simple internet search or by asking for recommendations from other boaters. The issue, however, is finding the surveyor that will deliver the type of services you need. When choosing a surveyor, it is imperative that you start by determining the type of survey you want. That way you will know what to expect from a service provider. In this post, we will be focusing on a pre-purchase survey.

What is a pre-purchase survey?

A pre-purchase survey is usually the most in-depth of all surveys. It looks at the boat in detail and offers a price recommendation. It is more of a road-worthy certificate for a boat. The boat surveyor Estero will inspect the boat while in the water and out of water. A sea trial will also be done to understand how the boat really performs. At the end of the day, you will be provided with a survey report which includes all the findings, recommended repairs and the fair market value of the boat. A pre-purchase survey will save you money, time and effort in the long run since you will not spend money on a doomed vessel. You will also be certain that everyone on board is safe. This type of survey can be requested by the seller or the buyer.

Scope of a pre-purchase survey

While you can make arrangements with the marine surveyor regarding what you want to be inspected, there are market forces that have created a ‘norm’ pre-purchase’ ‘condition as well as value’ survey. The survey is usually non-destructive. It focuses on the condition of the boat, checks the systems for basic operations and adherence to applicable regulations and standards. The surveyor will also search for warning signs which may require a follow-on inspection by a specialist. The survey further strives to determine the overall value of the vessel. A pre-purchase survey is more of a doctor giving a patient a physical checkup, except the appraisal part.

Boat surveys are usually limited inspections. The surveyor will not take any component apart to look inside. He only listens and observes. At times imagining equipment may be used to look inside components without taking them apart. If an issue is detected, the surveyor will recommend working with a specialist to know what the actual issue is.

You must never rely on a survey report that is months old. Insurance companies, will not accept survey reports that are more than 6 months old. This is because a boat survey is a snapshot of the boat at the time the survey is done. A lot can change within a few days. That is why you must always contact a boat surveyor Estero for a fresh survey when you want to buy a used boat.

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Marine Surveyor Estero – Frequently Asked Questions on Marine Surveys

Are you in the market for a used boat or do you need more information about your boat? If you answered yes to any of these questions, what you need is the services of a marine surveyor Estero. It is the job of the surveyor to perform a thorough inspection of a boat and compile a survey report. The report is what tells you everything you need to know about a boat based on the type of survey you requested. In this post, we will be answering the most frequently asked questions about boat surveys.

What is a marine survey?

A boat survey is a detailed inspection of a boat to determine its condition and seaworthiness. The most common type of survey is a condition and value survey. Marine surveys are what helps an insurance company identify issues that can lead to an imminent claim. It also helps you understand the actual condition of a boat and its fair market value. Considering how important a survey is, you need to work with a dependable marine surveyor Estero.

What makes a marine survey so important?

When buying a used boat, the last thing you want is to invest in a doomed boat. Most issues are usually hidden. Only a trained expert will be able to identify these issues. Working with a surveyor will help determine if the boat you are considering meets the safety criteria and that it is valued properly. You will also not be able to secure financing or insurance if you don’t get a marine survey.

Marine surveys can be requested by a boat owner who wants to know the condition of their boat, buyers who are considering a used boat or insurance, and financial institutions. It is crucial to get an independent boat survey done in order to determine if you are carrying the right amount of insurance coverage.

What will a surveyor do?

When you hire a marine surveyor, his job will not be taking components apart. The surveyor will listen and observe then compile a report based on his findings. At times the surveyor will use advanced equipment such as infrared equipment and moisture meters. If the surveyor suspects there is a serious issue, he will recommend that you work with a mechanic or electrician to get to the root of things.

What is the validity of a boat survey?

A boat survey is a snapshot of the condition of a boat at the time the survey is done. While the boat owner might have done a survey a couple of months ago, a lot can change. That is why you should always request an independent survey to understand the current condition of your boat.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – Do You Need a Boat Survey to Sell Your Boat?

A boat survey will help you determine the overall condition of your boat and also helps establish its actual value. This information is quite important when getting ready to sell your boat thus the reason you should work with a boat surveyor Fort Myers.

Buyers know that an old boat survey is worthless. This is because a survey report is a snapshot of the condition of a boat on the day the survey was done. As a result, boat buyers make arrangements to get an independent survey done. One thing you can be sure of is that the boat surveyor Fort Myers of the buyer will uncover most of the flaws your boat has. To avoid selling at a loss, it is good to get ahead of things. The right way of doing this is to get your own survey done before putting up a ‘for-sale’ sign.

Getting a boat survey is not mandatory. It is, however, essential. While you can resolve to inspect the boat yourself, your lack of experience and the right tools will always cause you to miss things. For example, if you don’t have infrared imaging equipment, you will not be able to know if the noise from a specific component is serious or not. When the surveyor of the buyer uses special equipment to look into the equipment, they may find an issue that may scare off a buyer or cause them to demand a huge discount. Getting a professional survey helps you know your boat inside and out. The survey report will help work on flaws that may be detrimental to the sale. You can fix the major issues in order to boost the selling price.

Condition and value survey

The type of survey you need when selling a boat is known as a condition and value survey. Getting this type of survey on a larger and older boat is essential when selling a boat. With this survey, the marine surveyor will complete a visual inspection of the boat. The surveyor will also use special equipment like a moisture meter to better evaluate the boat. If you need the bottom to be inspected, something a buyer may request when conducting a pre-purchase survey, you will need to make plans for haul-out.

When compared to how much you will end up saving at the end of the day, working with a boat surveyor Fort Myers is a worth investment. The survey report will help you get ahead of things and get the best value for your boat. Always enlist the help of an experienced marine surveyor; someone that has surveyed boats that are similar to yours.

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