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What is the Purpose of a Marine Surveyor in Fort Myers?

As you may already know, a marine surveyor is a professional who inspects and assesses the condition of various types of watercraft, including ships, boats, yachts, and other vessels. But what is the purpose of a marine surveyor in Fort Myers? The primary purpose of a marine surveyor is to determine the overall condition of the vessel, identify any potential issues or hazards, and provide a written report to the client outlining their findings. This information can be used by the client for a variety of purposes, including insurance purposes, to determine the value of a boat, or to assess its suitability for a specific purpose, such as long-distance voyaging. Marine surveyors can also assist with the sale or purchase of a boat. They do so by providing an objective evaluation of the vessel’s condition and helping ensure the transaction is fair and equitable for both parties.

Now that you understand what is the purpose of a marine surveyor, it is time to look at the services they offer. Marine surveyors offer a range of services that help clients assess the condition of their vessels. Some of the most common services include:

  • Pre-purchase surveys. Before buying a boat, a potential buyer may want to have it inspected by a marine surveyor to ensure it is in good condition and that there are no hidden problems that could negatively impact its value.
  • Condition and value surveys: This type of survey provides an overall assessment of the vessel’s condition and its market value. It takes into account factors such as age, wear and tear, and any damage that may have occurred.
  • Insurance surveys: Many boat insurance companies require a marine survey to be done before they issue an insurance policy. In this case, the surveyor will assess the condition of the vessel and identify any potential hazards or areas of concern that could affect the safety and seaworthiness of the boat.
  • Damage surveys: If a boat has been damaged, a marine surveyor can assess the extent of the damage and provide a report to the insurance company or other parties that are involved.
  • Load line surveys: A load line survey determines the maximum weight a boat can safely carry. In this case, the surveyor will take into account its design, construction, and stability.
  • Safety equipment surveys: A marine surveyor can inspect a boat’s safety equipment, such as life rafts, fire-fighting equipment, and navigation lights to ensure they all meet relevant safety regulations.

The above are just some of the main services offered by a marine surveyor. In addition to that, marine surveyors can be called in to offer expert testimony in legal proceedings. They can also provide advice on regulatory compliance and other maritime-related issues. The key is to find a surveyor that offers the kind of services you need.

What is the Purpose of a Marine Surveyor

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Boat Surveyors Fort Myers – How Do You Buy a Classic Boat?

A classic boat is a vessel that was built between 1943 and 1975. These vessels are also referred to as vintage boats. As you may have already guessed, the process of buying a classic boat is not the same as that of buying a modern boat. While there are some similarities such as having to involve a boat surveyor Fort Myerstrusts, there are special considerations you will have to make.

Choose a boat

The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of boat you want to buy. Do you need a power or a sailboat? How big of a boat are you looking for? Deciding on a boat to buy is the easy part. The real work starts when finding, evaluating, and buying a boat. Involving a boat surveyor Fort Myers throughout the purchase process will ensure you don’t end up with a doomed vessel.

The project, restored, or replica boat

It is obvious most of the boats that were built more than four decades ago will not all be in perfect condition. This is why you have to decide on whether to buy a project, restored or replica boat. A project boat is not for the faint-hearted or newbies. This is a boat that requires a lot of work to make it seaworthy. The best thing about project boats is that they are inexpensive. Make sure you understand how much money and time it will cost for you to restore the boat.

Restored classic boats are those that have been fixed up and are seaworthy. In most cases, these boats are sold by people who bought project boats, fixed them up, and are selling them as restored boats for a profit. The best thing about these vessels is that they are ready for sailing. The drawback, on the other hand, is they can be very expensive. Always involve a marine surveyor to inspect the condition of the boat.

The third option is that of a replica boat. Just as the name implies, these are not original classic boats. They are modern boats that have been built to mimic the aesthetics and feel of a classic boat. They are built using the same materials of a classic boat but may include modern equipment. The best thing about these vessels is they require less care since they are built using modern materials.

True classic boats are a special breed. There are boat brokers that are dedicated to offering vessels in this category. However, before you buy a true classic boat, you need to bring in a boat surveyor that has experience inspecting classic boats. 

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – Which Boat is Ideal for You?

When looking for a boat to buy, it pays to know the various types of boats that are available. This is because even with the input of the best boat surveyor Fort Myers, the final decision on the right boat to buy rests on you. The boat surveyor cannot dictate the boat to buy. All they can do is make you aware of the condition of the boat you are considering, its fair market value and if it matches your intended purpose.

You will be spoilt for choice when looking at boats for sale. In this post, we will be looking at the most popular boats to help you give an idea on what might be perfect for you. We cannot stress enough how important it is to involve a boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts when evaluating a boat. While it will cost you money to hire a boat surveyor, their input will keep you from making the wrong investment.

Bass boat

Are you interested in fishing but are not as experienced or do you want to do boating and fishing as a part-time activity? If you answered yes, the bass boat might be what you need. This is a small boat that is commonly used in fishing. It is, however, good to note that these types of boats are freshwater boats. They are lake fishing boats.

Bowrider

Is your vision to take your family out on weekends for some bonding time? The bowrider is a perfect choice. This type of boat is a family favorite. The boat has traditional seating in the back as well as extra forward seating in the bow. You should note that it is infamous for its open bow.

Center console

This boat gets its name from the fact that the steering station is located in the middle. The best thing about this setup is you can circle the boat. The boat is preferred by fishing enthusiasts more so those interested in sports fishing.

Cuddy cabin

If you want the perfect balance between sailing, fishing and cruising, the cuddy cabin will make a great choice. This is a very family-friendly boat with a small enclosure located below the deck. It is ideal if you plan on overnight stays on your boat.

Cruiser

For a boat with luxurious features, the cruiser will be perfect. You can find this boat in sizes of 7.7 to 13.7 meters. The boat has a bathroom, kitchen, dining area and many other features. It offers luxurious accommodation and the advantages of a small-scale yacht. 

Yacht

When you have more cash to spend on a boat, you can go for a yacht. These are luxurious vessels that are used for leisure, racing and cruising. They are perfect for travelling with both family and friends. You can find a used yacht for a very competitive price.

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Boat Surveyors Fort Myers – Questions to Answer When Choosing a Boat

Buying a boat can be exciting. It is a chance for you to get a vessel that gives you the freedom you have always wanted when fishing, vacationing or doing anything you want out at sea. No more filling lease forms or working around the schedule of your friend whenever you need their boat. However, to avoid making the wrong choice, there are a couple of questions you must answer. You also need to work closely with boat surveyors Fort Myers trusts. The role of the surveyor is to help you get a better understanding of the boat you are about to buy. Let’s take a look at the top questions you should answer before settling on a boat.

New or pre-owned?

The first decision you have to make is whether to buy a new or a used boat. If you have been saving for some time and don’t mind the rapid depreciation, buying a new boat will be a better choice. New boats come with a warranty and they have modern equipment. However, if you are on a tight budget, a pre-owned boat will give you a great bargain. You will also be able to get a bigger pre-owned boat even on a tight budget. Even so, you have to get a pre-owned boat inspected by boat surveyors Fort Myers. The boat surveyors will help you understand if the purchase will be a good investment or not. 

Which size is best for you?

When deciding on the size, there are many factors you have to think about. The main factors include:

  • Where you will be operating the boat. For lakes and rivers, a boat that is between 18 and 40 feet will be ideal.
  • How long do you plan on staying on the boat? For an overnight stay, you will need a boat with a spacious cabin, galley and other amenities.
  • The number of passengers you will carry.
  • Your budget. The bigger the boat is the more expensive it will be to buy and maintain.

Do you need a sailing or motorized boat?

The choice here boils down to personal preferences. The easiest boats to drive are motor-powered ones. They are the most common among first-time boat owners. Sailing boats, on the other hand, rely on the wind to move. The type of boat you end up picking will depend on the activities you plan on using the boat for.

How do you plan on using the boat?

What you need the boat for is an important consideration when buying a boat. This is because boats have different uses. You cannot use a fishing boat for sporting activities.

How will you finance the purchase?

Last but not least, how you plan on paying for the boat has to be considered. If you plan on using marine lenders, make sure you understand the interest rates and payment terms. You also need to ensure that you can sustain the long-term loan payment based on your cash flow.

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Boat Surveyors Fort Myers – Questions to Help Pick the Right Size of Boat

Buying a boat can change your lifestyle. This is irrespective of whether you are going after a new or a pre-owned vessel. However, to avoid spending money on a boat that is doomed, consider enlisting the help of a boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts. The boat surveyor will comb through every inch of the pre-owned boat and compile a comprehensive report that helps you understand the exact condition your preferred boat is in. Surveyors can also help survey a brand new boat. For this, the boat survey will help you know if the boat meets all the quality standards and if it is a good fit for your preferred use.

While the input of a boat surveyor Fort Myers is important, when it comes to the size of the boat, it is up to you to pick the size that is right for you. Needless to say, there are many factors to consider when deciding on the size of the boat to buy. Here are a couple of questions to help with decision-making.

Where will you be operating the boat?

Where you intend on using the boat will determine the size that is right for you. For example, if you plan on using the vessel on lakes and rivers and plan on only using the boat in the daytime, a boat that is between 18 and 40 feet will be ideal. Such a boat will offer all the basic amenities you need for a comfortable day of boating.

How many passengers will you carry?

This is yet another important consideration that will help with deciding on the size of the boat to buy. If you plan on carrying a large group of friends for weekend getaways, you will need room for cocktail hour. This means you need a boat with larger cabins and a bigger passenger capacity. However, if you only need a boat that offers space for you to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet on your own, a smaller fishing boat will be sufficient.

What is your budget?

Your budget has a major part to play when deciding on the size of the boat to buy. Keep in mind that it is not just the initial cost of buying the boat you should think about. There are many other expenses that come with boat ownership. They include:

  • Maintenance
  • Moorage
  • Gasoline
  • Cleaning
  • Dry docking
  • Winter storage
  • Boat insurance

As you can see, there are many factors that have to be considered when deciding on the size of the boat to buy. Working with an experienced boat surveyor in Fort Myers will keep you from making goofy mistakes both on the type and size of the boat to buy.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – What is Covered in a Boat Survey

When you need the input of a boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts, the first thing you will want to do is know what is covered in the survey. That way you will be prepared for their services and be able to tell when you are being shortchanged. It is, however, not easy to know exactly what will be covered. This is because the focus of the marine surveyor will depend on the purpose of the survey. Surveyors also use varying methods when doing their work. In this post, we shall be looking at the basic things you can expect.

There are standards a boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts has to adhere to. This means the survey report you get from one surveyor will not be too different from that of another surveyor. For example, when performing an insurance survey, surveyors are provided with a list of items that they have to inspect. This list is provided by the insurer. Sticking to this list means the results will be the same for all surveyors. The only difference will be how thorough the report will be.

When performing a boat inspection, a good majority of marine surveyors say that they always sound the boat using a hammer in order to detect voids and delamination. They will also test the electronics to make sure they are all operable. Only a small number of surveyors will use advanced equipment such as a moisture meter. Most only observe and tap to record their findings.

It is also good to note that unless you insist, most boat inspectors will not request a sea trial. This is irrespective of how thorough you need the survey to be. Needless to say, a sea trial is very important because it helps understand how a vessel performs. It is hard to detect issues with the engine if you only power it on and listen to how it sounds. To get a more in-depth understanding, the engine has to be put in various real-life scenarios. That way the surveyor will know in which areas it lacks.

Hiring a surveyor that is a former boat mechanic will give you better results. The experience of the surveyor will help identify issues that would otherwise go unnoticed. This is more so when it comes to the engine and the structural integrity of the boat.

Working with a surveyor that comes highly recommended and has experience surveying your type of boat is the key to getting a thorough boat inspection. Refrain from hiring just any boat surveyor in Fort Myers. Hire a surveyor before you have confidence they will provide an all-rounded survey.

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Boat Surveyor Fort Myers – Is it Good to Buy a Cheap Boat?

As a first-time boat owner, your priority is not just to get the best boat but also to get the most competitively priced one. This is not an easy balance to strike. More often than not, cheap ends up being below average. If you are on a tight budget but need a good boat, you first need to involve a boat surveyor Fort Myers trusts before paying for any vessel. The role of the surveyor will be to help you understand what you are really buying.

Will the boat require expensive repairs? What is missing? How much will insurance cost? These are some of the questions an experienced boat surveyor Fort Myers will help you answer. In addition to that, you have to understand the difference between price and value.

Price versus Value

The price of a used boat will not necessarily reflect its value. This goes for both boats that have been priced too high and those that have been priced too low. This is a very interesting concept that first-time buyers ignore. Basically, the price is what you will be paying for a boat. Value, on the other hand, is what you actually get for your money. Sellers have the freedom to put any price tag on their boats. This means in most cases the price tag reflects more than the objective value of the boat. Working with a marine surveyor is the only way to determine if the boat has been overvalued or undervalued. 

There are several factors that affect the price of a boat. Here are the three main ones:

  • Emotional attachment

After owning something for a long time, we find it hard to let go of it. This is what leads to a personal attachment. Every boat owner believes that their boat is special. While that may be true to the seller, it shouldn’t affect the price of the boat. A boat surveyor will give you an objective take on how much the boat is really worth.

  • The popularity of the boat

Models that are more sought-after tend to have higher price tags. This is simply due to the law of supply and demand. As you shop around for a boat to buy, focus more on the less popular ones. The less popular vessels are often as good as the popular ones but with a low price tag. It is, however, good to research why those boats are less popular.

  • Location

Boats that are being sold in a location where more prospective buyers frequent will tend to be more expensive than one in a remote location. Therefore, if you are looking for a cheaper boat, don’t be afraid to move to the more remote boat yards.

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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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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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