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Marine Surveyor Fort Myers – Evaluating Boat Insurance Options

Buying a boat is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. That is why involving the services of a marine surveyor Fort Myers is important. The surveyor will evaluate your boat to determine if it is a good investment or not. In addition to this vital assessment, it is imperative that you always get boat insurance for your boat. Doing so will protect your investment and give you peace of mind knowing in case something happens to your boat you will not suffer a loss.

There are many companies that offer boat insurance. To determine whether you need ‘agreed value’ or ‘actual cash value’ insurance and to avoid being insufficiently covered, you will need help from a marine surveyor Fort Myers. Most insurers require that a survey be done before they insure a boat. This is done to ensure they don’t insure an already doomed vessel. You must make sure that the marine surveyor you use will be approved by your preferred insurance company.

Prior to insuring a boat, there are several factors insurers take into consideration. While almost any vessel can be insured for a price, how much you end up paying for insurance will depend on the following factors:

  • Age of the boat
  • Length of the boat
  • Value of the boat
  • Horsepower/speed
  • Current condition and whether it meets the US Coast Guard Standards
  • If the boat is used as a primary residence
  • Number of previous owners
  • Where the boat is operated
  • Type of boat

Understanding the factors insurance companies look at before insuring a boat is not enough. You now need to take a look at the various kinds of boat insurance policies. Marine insurance policies include the following:

  • Boat
  • Personal watercraft
  • Yacht. Yachts are vessels longer than 27’
  • Sailboat
  • Dinghy
  • Boat and personal watercraft rental
  • Boat clubs covers members of club while operating a boat
  • Professional. The policies are customized and cover items such as travel to tournament, and equipment.

If you need complete coverage for your boat, what you will need is an ‘all risk’ policy. This will offer the best protection. It is, however, good to note that this type of coverage will not cover everything. Some risks will be omitted in the policy. The main risks excluded include wear & tear, denting, marring, manufacturer’s defects, ice & freezing and animal damage.

It is possible to add extra coverage. Some available options include personal effects, medical payments, towing & assistance, and uninsured boaters’ liability. The majority of insurance policies cover permanently attached equipment and items like oars, anchors, tools, seat cushions, trolling motors and life jackets. Always discuss your options with your insurance agent. Your marine surveyor Fort Myers will also help you understand what you can and cannot get from an insurance cover.

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Boat Surveyor Estero – How to Interpret a Survey Report

Hiring a boat surveyor Estero is not something you should rush. The input of the surveyor is what will give you an idea of what to expect from the boat you are about to buy. You don’t want the survey report you get to be based on guesswork, do you? You also want the survey report to be accepted by insurance or financial institutions. It’s for this reason that you must ensure you hire the best surveyor for the job.

The next thing you must do is learn how to interpret the marine survey report. Unless you ask, a boat surveyor Estero will give you a survey report and leave it at that. It is your job to ask him or her questions about the report. But how exactly should you interpret these reports? Here are a few things you must do.

Educate yourself on what is a big issue and what is not

After getting a survey report, it is easy to make a mountain out of a molehill. The truth is not every issue the surveyor says needs to be fixed is a major problem. To avoid overreacting once the report comes in, you have to take time to educate yourself on the specific boat you own or plan on buying.

If the boat is a popular model, you will be able to find information about its performance statistics as well as possible problems on the internet. Look up information on how people deal with common issues with the model. If the boat is older or unique, you may have a harder time getting information on it. Search owners’ associations and clubs to see if there is any information about the boat. If you can’t find any information, you need to sit down with your marine surveyor to discuss their findings.

Several items will be included

A boat survey is the same as a home inspection. This means the survey report will include a list of items that have to be addressed. Don’t panic if the list seems a bit long. Larger issues such as engine malfunction or hull delamination need to be addressed by the seller. The buyer will take care of the smaller issues.

No used boat is perfect

Even if the seller has had the boat for just a few months, you have to understand that there is no second-hand boat that is perfect. You need to contact a boat surveyor Estero to perform a thorough survey. Never rely on the survey report that was done months ago. A lot can change within weeks.

When reviewing a boat survey report, it is good to remain objective. Review the survey with as little emotion as possible. Review the cost of required repairs or replacements and make sure these costs will not strain you. If you don’t like a boat, don’t be afraid to walk away.

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Boat Surveyors Fort Myers – What Do They Do?

If you have never worked with boat surveyors Fort Myers, you may have unrealistic expectations regarding what these professionals do. The purpose of this post is to help you understand who a boat surveyor is and what he or she will do for you. Let’s get started.

Who is a boat surveyor?

As you may already know, boat surveyors Fort Myers are professionals hired to perform certain inspections on a boat. These professionals either have a strong boating and/or mechanical background. Other professionals distinguish themselves by completing relevant courses. Bearing in mind a boat surveyor is not required to be licensed or qualified, you have to be very careful before hiring a service provider. The standards in the industry vary greatly.

Why hire a boat surveyor?

You are not mandated to hire a boat surveyor when buying a new vessel. It is, however, highly recommended to work with on. This is for the simple fact that buying a boat is a huge financial decision. The input of a boat surveyor helps mitigate the risks of making a bad investment. Surveyors have more experience inspecting boats and will use specialized tools to thoroughly examine a vessel.

If you plan on financing your purchase, you will have to provide lenders with a detailed survey report from a certified boat surveyor. The case is the same if you want to insure your boat. Insurance companies will require that you provide a survey report from a surveyor they approve.

What types of surveys are available?

There are many types of surveys you can request. An experienced boat surveyor will be able to offer the following:

  • Valuation surveys
  • Safety and operational surveys
  • Damage surveys
  • Cargo surveys
  • Insurance surveys
  • Hull surveys
  • Corrosion surveys
  • Incident and accident investigation
  • Surveying rigs and sails

Most surveyors will combine several of the aforementioned types of surveys into one. As a result, the various surveys offered by surveyors may fall into just four categories; pre-purchase survey, insurance survey, damage inspection, and appraisal inspection. The type of survey you need will depend on the purpose.  

How to hire the best surveyor

As aforementioned, boat surveyors Fort Myers are not all the same. That is why you have to be very careful before hiring. To find the right surveyor, you need to ask the following questions:

  • Have you surveyed boats that are of the same make or model as mine?
  • What will be included in the survey?
  • What is the turnaround time on getting the survey report?

No matter who you hire to perform a survey, you must remember that surveyors always protect themselves from lawsuits. They do so by using a certain language in the survey report. That is why you must always go with a surveyor who is experienced and has an impeccable track record.

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Marine Surveyor Naples – Important Points to Keep in Mind Before a Yacht Survey

With the right preparation and the right marine surveyor Naples, having a yacht survey can be stressful. While no one likes the expenses that come with boat ownership, spending money on a yacht survey is one of the most important things you will ever do. This is because a survey helps you understand the exact condition of the boat you are thinking about buying. A survey will also be required when you need to finance your purchase and when getting insurance for your boat. This is, however, not all you need to know about yacht surveys.

Not all surveyors are equal

The first point you need to understand is that not all marine surveyors are equal. For starters, not every surveyor will be able to inspect your yacht. When hiring a marine surveyor Naples, you need to make sure they are experienced and equipped to inspect the type of boat you are targeting. It is also good to take a look at the range of services they offer. If you need a survey done for the purposes of insurance, you need to make sure that your insurance company does accept survey reports from the surveyor you are working with.

Know what you are buying before anything is done

A common mistake people make is that of hiring a boat surveyor based on price alone. If you instruct a survey on price alone, you will end up feeling short-changed. The last thing you want is to get an incomprehensive survey that ignores significant issues. When hiring a surveyor, start by knowing about the services he or she will be offering. The idea is to get a comprehensive survey report that lets you know precisely what you are buying.

Know what you will need

Prior to giving the boat surveyor a greenlight, you need to be mindful of what you may need. For example, is the vessel at an age where insurance companies will require you to get a survey? In most cases, insurance companies require a survey report on boats that more than 30 years old. Some underwriters will even require a survey if your boat is 25 years or older. You need to liaise with your preferred insurance company before getting a survey done.

Ensure the surveyor is insured

One of the worst things that can ever happen is to buy a boat only to learn later that the surveyor missed major issues. In this case you will have made a bad investment. To avoid finding yourself in such situations, you should work with a marine surveyor Naples that has a professional indemnity insurance cover.

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Marine Surveyor Fort Myers – What Do You Get from a Good Boat Survey

Buying a boat is a huge investment. This is irrespective of whether you are buying a brand new or a used boat. In most cases, this is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Bearing in mind a lot of money will be spent buying a boat, you want to be certain you are making a good investment. That is where the need to work with an experienced marine surveyor Fort Myerscomes in.

The work of a marine surveyor is to inspect the vessel you plan on buying and document everything that he or she sees and hears. The marine surveyor Fort Myers will then provide you with a written report. This is referred to as a marine survey report.

Survey report

A marine survey is highly technical. It includes several terms or jargon that will be unfamiliar to an average boat owner, bank employee or an insurance underwriter. The main challenge a marine surveyor has is making the marine survey report as clear as possible. The report has to be clear, concise and relay the information required by the customer. It has to be written in a manner that doesn’t require the surveyor to provide a tutorial on every piece of hardware or system on the boat. In addition to the thorough review of the boat, this is one of main advantages of working with a qualified boat surveyor.

Some survey reports are usually written in cryptic database style and others in an easy format. They don’t read as a manufacturer’s brochure or yacht broker’s listing. Regardless of the style used, the survey report will give you a good idea of what the overall condition of a boat is, what needs to be done to make it safe and function. If you have any question about the survey report, you can contact the marine surveyor Fort Myers for clarification.

Use of technology

If you have done some research on boat surveys, you probably know by now that marine surveyors never dismantle components to look inside. They simply observe and listen. If they cannot determine what the issue is with a component by listening and observing, they will recommend you to a mechanic. The good news is that surveyors are now using thermal imaging equipment to look inside components without disassembling them.

Finding the most qualified surveyor is the most important thing you should do when you need a boat survey. It is how competent a surveyor is that determines how comprehensive and dependable the survey will be. Make sure you work only with surveyors who have experience surveying boats that are similar to the one you are considering.

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Survey Guidelines a Marine Surveyor Estero Has to Follow

When hiring a marine surveyor Estero, you expect him or her to give you more insight into the vessel you own or are thinking about buying. But how do you know if the surveyor does a good job? Will he only rely on judgement calls and are those calls sufficient? It is easy to feel like the service offered will not be sufficient. The important point you should remember, however, is that boat surveyors are required to adhere to certain guidelines. Here are some of those guidelines.

Code of Federal Regulations

The CFRs (Code of Federal Regulations) are the first guidelines a marine surveyor Estero is required to adhere to when performing a boat survey. CFRs are also referred to as Coast Guard Regulations. These guidelines list the minimal requirements for safety equipment, sanitation, navigation lights, electrical and fuel systems on a gasoline-powered vessel. For the diesel-powered vessels, the mechanical and electrical regulations don’t apply but has to comply with all other conditions.

American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Standards

The ABYC are more of recommendations than regulations. They, however, carry very significant weight. This is more so if there is an accident or a failure ends up in a court. These standards are quite extensive. They cover virtually everything on a vessel save for the basic design and construction. With the ABYC standards being so comprehensive, most of the sections will not apply to every boat. Even so, it is good to remember that every system that a boat surveyor sees will be related to the ABYC standards in some way.

Additional standards that a marine surveyor Estero has to adhere to come from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). There are also other sources a boat surveyor can use. For example, when surveying the lifelines on racing sailboat, the surveyor may have to consider the Offshore Special Regulations. These are rules for offshore sailboat racing.

Judgement Calls

Away from the set standards, regulations and recommendations, a boat survey must also rely on their own judgement when surveying a boat. This is for the simple fact that the standards cannot account for everything including elevated moisture readings in the deck or wear in the hoses or belts. The toughest calls are when a surveyor is surveying systems on older boat models that don’t meet or are not covered in the standards for modern day boats.

With all the standards a surveyor has to adhere to and all the judgement calls he or she has to make, it makes sense why you should always stick with experienced surveyors. Find a surveyor that has experience working on boats that are similar to yours. You also need to make sure the surveyor you are considering has a remarkable track record.

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Boat Surveyor Naples – Why Do You Need a Marine Survey?

As you may already know, a marine survey is a detailed report that is compiled by a boat surveyor Naples. The surveyor compiles this report after performing a thorough inspection of a vessel. Bearing in mind the marine surveyor will only listen, observe and never dismantle components, it is easy to ask why you need a marine survey. The purpose of this post is to answer that question.

In most cases, a boat surveyor Naples is called in to assess damage to a pleasure craft. This is, however, not the only job they do. In addition to assessing damage, surveyors can be called in to assess any type of vessel including tugs and cargo ships. The objective here ranges from determining the actual value of the boat to how it is loaded and how cargo is carried.

For the most part, a marine surveyor is brought in to ascertain the current condition of a vessel as well as its history. This can be done for the purpose of insurance, financial or purchasing information. The surveyors work is to make sure that the vessel meets all the regulatory requirements.

If you are in the market for a second hand boat or plan on selling your current boat, engaging the services of boat surveyors Naples is highly recommended. The surveyor will inspect the vessel top to bottom, on land and on water. His professional observations will help you understand the exact condition the boat is in. While surveyors will never open up components to inspect their condition, surveyors will recommend you to a mechanic or an electrician if there is an issue that needs a closer inspection.

The inspection performed by a marine surveyor will also help you understand the extent of damage that a boat has. You will also get information on how much repairs/restorations will most likely cost.

Marine surveys refer to a lot of things from the condition of the craft to detailed information about the history of the boat. In many cases, insurance companies will request a survey report before they underwrite a vessel. In this case, you need to find a boat surveyor Naples that is approved by your insurance company. You also want to know the details that the insurer wants to see in the report.

All things considered, a marine survey is meant to help you understand the exact condition of the vessel you are considering. You should always keep in mind that the survey report is only good on the day the survey is performed. Never rely on a report that was done months ago. Get a new survey.

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Marine Surveyor Naples – What to Expect in a Marine Survey

If you are new to boating, the process of buying a boat and getting a survey performed may seem daunting. The first thing a marine surveyor Naples will tell you is that buying a boat is not like any other purchase. There are certain steps that have to be followed in order to achieve the desired outcomes. There are several mistakes newbies make which end up turning the experience less pleasurable. Here is what you should do when getting ready for a marine survey.

The first thing you have to do is decide on the boat that you want. Review the service history to ensure it is within the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you don’t understand the paperwork you can consult a marine surveyor Naples or a mechanic. Once you are okay about buying the specific boat, you need to request a contract of sale from the buyer before making a deposit. Once you and the seller agree to the terms, you can make a deposit. Most sellers require that you make a deposit of about 5 to 10 percent in order to initiate the process of a boat survey.

Contact a Surveyor

In most cases, hiring a boat surveyor is as simple as calling and setting a date. You can complete an online form which helps the surveyor organize the rest of the survey for you. Find a surveyor that offers a full boat survey process including a comprehensive report upon request. It is also good to ask the surveyor how much the service will cost and how long it will take.

What About Slipping?

Also known as hard-standing, slipping is the process of removing the boat from the water for an inspection or repair. For a complete inspection, it is normal practice for a boat to be ‘slipped’. This helps check the underwater components as well as clean the bottom of the boat. The vessel is then put back into the water for a sea trial. Slipping is often required in order for a pre-purchase report to be accepted by a majority of insurance providers. It is also necessary when you are buying a used boat. It is normal practice for a buyer to pay for both slipping and cleaning of the hull. It is okay for slipping and sea trial to be done separately if the survey has to be done over a period of more than one day.

In addition to hiring the best marine surveyor Naples for the job, the second most important thing you should do is attend the boat survey process. This enables you to ask all the questions you want and for you to help the surveyor perform a thorough inspection. You must, however, remember to stay out of the way of the surveyor. Don’t be a distraction.

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Marine Surveyor Estero – How is a boat valued?

Every marine surveyor Esterowants you to understand a boat’s value. This is because it is critical in pricing. Setting a starting price can make or break a deal. As a result, pricing is one of the most challenging aspects of selling a boat. Most sellers will often ask, ‘how much is my boat worth?’ While on the other hand, potential buyers would wonder, ‘will I overpay for my boat?’ Nobody wants to pay too much, so it is essential to get a relatively accurate idea of what your boat is worth.

What affects used boat value and price?

The decision on whether to buy a used or new boat depends on personal finances. However, other factors have to be considered. The main ones include the size, age, and model of the vessel. Age and wear are difficult to hide when a boat hasn’t been properly cared for. When determining a boat’s value, there are other factors to take into account. They range from the boat’s condition, location, and equipment.

Condition divides into three major categories; Mechanical, Rigging, and Cosmetics. When inspecting the mechanical condition, a marine surveyor Estero will inspect the engine hours and its performance, battery, hull integrity, and desk status. The surveyor will focus on the sailboat mast, boom, shrouds, stays, and sails with rigging. Lastly, the cosmetic inspection focuses on everything else, including canvas, wood trim, gel coat, etc.

Location plays a part in boat pricing. Where the boat was being used will either increase or decrease the value. If used in a highly concentrated area, the price may be depressed because there is a larger supply of boats. On the other hand, selling in a small population can decrease the number of buyers.

Lastly, a boat that is fully equipped will make a significant difference in the selling price.  This is more so if the electronics are updated. In this case, such a boat will most likely attract more buyers because the boat will be more appealing. If the boat has advanced electronics like satellite communications and radar, these will generally raise the price since they aren’t typical upgrades.

Should I hire a surveyor to appraise a boat before buying?

You often don’t need to have a survey done when buying a new boat. However, if a used boat is under consideration, you may want to hire a specialized marine surveyor Estero. The appraisal survey will be performed to identify your boat’s approximate value and uncover the problems the boat has. For the most part, the purpose of the survey report is to ascertain the marine vessel’s condition and its history. A marine surveyor will inform you of any major or minor repairs, how much it will cost, and more accurately, the current market value of your boat. This information is vital and will most definitely help you determine the boat’s value even in years ahead.

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Marine Surveyor – Tips to Help You Prepare for a Boat Insurance Survey

Every few years, your insurance will require a marine surveyor Estero to perform an in-the-water survey. This survey is also known as ‘condition and valuation’ survey. The purpose of the survey is to ensure the boat is in good condition and not at a high risk to the insurance company. If you are getting ready for a boat insurance survey, there are a couple of things you should do.

Find a competent surveyor

The first step when you want to buy a boat is obviously to find a competent and fair boat surveyor Estero. A bad surveyor may cite insignificant ‘recommendations’ which may have to be corrected before the insurance company renews the insurance cover.

A boat insurance survey evaluates the boat including the hull fittings and plumbing, exhaust, electrical systems, fuel, electronics and the systems installed among other things. You need a boat surveyor that will be thorough.

Make a good first impression

Whether you are working with your own marine surveyor or one sent by your insurance company, you need to make sure that you make a good first impression. The first thing you need to remember is that curb appeal is as important in marine surveys as it is in real estate. Days before the surveyor arrives you need to clean up and make the boat as appealing as it can be. You need to clean anything that may detract from that amazing first impression.

Get extraneous stuff away

The work of a boat surveyor Estero is to observe and listen in order to identify any problems with your boat. For him/her to be able to do this, the surveyor must be able to enjoy easy access to all the areas that need checking. At times you will have to remove things like side kayaks that live on the side rails. You will also need to remove anything that may be restricting access to the panels. Doing so will not only make the work of the marine surveyor easy but also save time.

Make a list of everything you want to insure

At times the surveyor will not specifically ask about the equipment that are aboard. To save time when the surveyor arrives and to ensure nothing is missed, you need to make a list of the important equipment aboard. You may have an extra genoa, storm sails stored, spinnaker or extra anchors. Make a list of these items. 

Mention recent upgrades

Have you made any upgrades to your boat? You need to mention that to the surveyor. You may have added new cockpit enclosures, made last winter’s head replacement, added a new anchor chain or rebuilt windlass.

Planning a head of time for the arrival of a boat surveyor Estero will help smooth things and make work easier. The above points will help you get started in the right direction.

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