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Southampton Boat Surveyors ">Any potential buyer considering purchasing a yacht should have an independent marine survey before they do. What ever the type of boat whether it be a sailing yacht a motor sailor or a motor cruiser a survey before purchase is essential. A marine surveyor may well identify areas that an average buyer may not be able to do. Quite often a marine surveyor will have many years of experience in the marine world. Possibly he will have owned and operated a variety of boats over the years. They will also use some specialist tools that the average buyer would not have nor could they justify their purchase. It is possible that the survey will disclose some faults that may be so serious in terms of expense and time to correct them that the proposed purchaser may no longer wish to proceed. A boat survey report will contain some factual detail such as the name and make and the type of construction together with the dimensions and production number if that is available. The survey will also detail out the scope of the report as to whether it was limited in scope in any way such as to the hull and bulkheads only. This could arise if the buyer is satisfied with all operating systems of the vessel as they have checked them out themselves but need some professional input on on the hull,deck and bulkheads. Other buyers may well want a full survey of all aspects of the boat including the engine or engines and this is probably the best choice for the average buyer. The report will then list a summary of the items that have been checked and tested and not just listing out any faults but also confirming satisfactory and proper operation of the items being examined. The components that would be tested vary from boat to boat and it depends on the type of construction. However the following items (which is not meant to be exhaustive) would often be considered in a marine survey:- Hull bulkheads Keel - lifting or fixed Anodes Hull internal including bilges Bilge pumps Decks and surfaces Superstructure Steering, rudder and stern gear Shafts and stern glands Propeller and drive systems Morse engine controls Fuel tanks Water tanks Gas installation Lighting and electrical installation Batteries and operating switches Mast boom and rigging Sails Anchor and chain Anchor winch Bow thruster Stern thruster Engine or Engines Hatches, doors, windows and portholes Anchor and chain Radar Radar reflector VHF Radio Some marine surveyors will not be able or prepared to report on the condition of the engines and will refer that work to a marine engineer. On the other hand some surveyors are also marine engineers in their own right and as such will be quite prepared to do so. I take the view that if the surveyor has no objection you should attend when the survey is taking place. On no account should you get in the way or hinder him but there may be specific issues that he spots while the boat is out of the water that are much better explained at the time of survey rather than by a written report or a photograph at a later date. Also by attending you can see for your self the condition of the hull,anodes and antifouling etc. Often a lift out is arranged at lunchtime or some time during midday as then the boat yard can leave the vessel being surveyed hanging in the slings of the crane. Remember however this will only give the surveyor a limited amount of time usually about an hour or an hour and a half and you must check that the surveyor is happy with that. Usually the boat yard will power wash the hull at the same time as the lift so as to make the surveyor's job possible. It is very good advice to have an independent survey of any boat that you purchase second hand. Apart from some of the points that I have covered in this article it may also reveal evidence of impact damage,stress cracks or repairs that have not been properly carried out. At the same time as the survey you should get a valuation for insurance purposes. The Author writes many articles on Marine topics and for more information please go to Southampton Boat Surveyors
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