SURVEYS

Types of Surveys & Fees

A past career in boatyards, a lifetime of competitive and pleasure sailing, and 13 years as a NAMS surveyor affords my customers top quality service and expertise for the following products:
  • Condition & Valuation Survey for Pre-Purchase purposes
  • Condition & Valuation Survey for insurance & underwriting purposes
  • Preliminary Damage Surveys
  • General Consultation
  • Rigging Survey
Surveys

Condition & Valuation for Pre-Purchase purposes

This is the most in-depth type of survey, where each vessel is thoroughly examined from a safety and structural standpoint:
  • Inspection or testing of all electrical, mechanical, plumbing and rigging, systems are completed, as well as
  • Assessing the integrity of all composite structures
  • A sea-trial typically is performed, where the engine is observed while under a load, to evaluate its overall running condition.
  • It is strongly advised to haul the vessel, to inspect its underwater hull, and components.
  • An estimate of the vessel’s reasonable fair market value will be determined, based on professional marine appraisal industry standards.
Condition and Valuation survey fees are calculated and based upon the anticipated complexity the vessel poses to complete a thorough examination of the vessel. The vessel’s age, size, and intricacy of its systems are factors impacting the amount of time required to complete inspections and survey reports, and proportionately the survey fee. Upon a client's request, an exact survey fee will be provided.
Surveys

Condition & Valuation for insurance & underwriting purposes

This type of survey will inspect the vessel from a structural and safety standpoint, with the goal of:
  • To gather enough information to determine if the vessel can be recommended as a fair underwriting risk;
  • To evaluate and test most of the vessel’s fundamental mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems;
  • To estimate of the vessel’s reasonable fair market value will be determined, based on professional marine appraisal industry standards.
Condition and Valuation survey fees are calculated and based upon the anticipated complexity the vessel poses to complete a thorough examination of the vessel. The vessel’s age, size, and intricacy of its systems are factors impacting the amount of time required to complete inspections and survey reports, and proportionately the survey fee. Upon a client's request, an exact survey fee will be provided.
Surveys

Preliminary Damage Surveys

This type of survey is performed to:
  • Determine the extent of the loss, and make recommendations and estimates to repair damages to the vessel.
The surveyor will also:
  • View estimates and invoices to determine if the work proposed or preformed is reasonable, customary, and deemed necessary to return the vessel to its original condition, prior to it incurring damage.
Condition and Valuation survey fees are calculated and based upon the anticipated complexity the vessel poses to complete a thorough examination of the vessel. The vessel’s age, size, and intricacy of its systems are factors impacting the amount of time required to complete inspections and survey reports, and proportionately the survey fee. Upon a client's request, an exact survey fee will be provided.
Surveys

General Consultation

Types of consultation offered and covered in this service:
  • Overseeing major restorations undertaken by boat yards
  • Inspecting questionable or defective work completed by marine contractors
Condition and Valuation survey fees are calculated and based upon the anticipated complexity the vessel poses to complete a thorough examination of the vessel. The vessel’s age, size, and intricacy of its systems are factors impacting the amount of time required to complete inspections and survey reports, and proportionately the survey fee. Upon a client's request, an exact survey fee will be provided.
Surveys

Rigging Survey

Surveyor will go up the mast to examine:
  • the condition of the standing rigging and spars, including inspection for cracked swage fittings, broken or unlaid cable, or weld fatigue or extrusion cracking;
  • the spreaders are properly aligned at a dihedral angle, and their attachments are tight to the mast;
  • the condition of the sheave boxes, and halyards.
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys

Survey Inspection & Testing Components

As all boats vary in design, construction, and types of systems, so does the scope of the inspections and survey procedures. However, the surveyor typically includes the following processes:

Sailboats

  • Inspect the standing rigging at deck level (a full rig survey aloft adds $175 to $350)
  • Inspect all visible areas of the chain-plates, spars, running rigging, lifelines, stanchions, pulpits, & winches

Powerboats & Sailboats

  • Thoroughly tap-test the deck and cabin structures to verify their integrity, and check for structural weakness, outer-bond separations, delamination, or deteriorated core materials
  • Use a moisture-meter to check for indications of water migration into the composite structures, or saturated core materials
  • Inspect the internal structural reinforcements and sub-assemblies for movement, failed secondary bonds, or soft wood or decay
  • Test the windlass without a load
  • Evaluate all ports, hatches, and windows for their overall watertight integrity and conditions, including frames, gasketing, latching hardware, and lens condition
  • Check passageway and cabinet doors for misalignment in their jambs, and their hardware is checked for smooth operation
  • Operate and test all plumbing, and electrical systems
  • Inspect the engine’s ancillary equipment, motor mount condition, check for external oil, fuel, and cooling water leaks, check fluids, and alternator output
  • Inspect and evaluate visible AC & DC wiring, shore power and battery systems, check for corrosion, and compliance with standards set by the American Boat Yacht Council (ABYC)
  • The surveyor will inspect the vessel with reference to the current ABYC & NFPA standards, and shall report deficiencies relative to the safety of the vessel and personnel

Sea-Trial – Included in Survey Fee

(typically occurs during the delivery to the yard for haul-out)
  • Observe the engine and propeller shaft under a load, for unusual vibration or shaft run-out, and the engine is cooling reliably, and meeting the engine manufacturer’s wide-open throttle RPM specification, with no unusual vibration or run-out, over-fueling, and the gauges and alarms are operable
  • Test the electronic navigation equipment
  • Demonstrate and test the autopilot

Powerboat & Sailboat Underwater Hull Inspection

  • Inspect the topsides for physical harm or damage, the coating’s condition, and verify the vessel is floating on her lines
  • Check for osmotic blistering, evaluate antifouling paint condition
  • Perform a thorough tap-test of the underwater hull, to check for delamination or voids
  • Evaluate the running gear, propeller shaft, propeller, and cutlass bearing
  • Inspect for unusual electrolytic activity, and effectiveness of the corrosion control systems

All findings will be documented clearly in the Survey Report, and further articulated in the report’s Summary.

Click below to see an example Report
Surveys
Click below to see an example Report
Surveys
As always, I am happy to speak to clients about their survey needs. If I can be of service, I will need your contact information, which you can send to me HERE, along with any particulars about your vessel you wish to share at this time. I look forward to working with you and your vessel.