WHY SURVEYS VARY DEAL ONLY WITH FACTS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SURVEYOR

FACTS ABOUT SURVEYS

Surveys are an integral part of the boat buying process, and the facts and findings they bring forward are often misunderstood by most buyers and sellers alike. A survey (whether just of the hull, engines, or combination of both) is intended to determine the overall condition of the vessel in question.

WHY SURVEYS VARY

The variables involved in each survey can create confusion. Each individual surveyor is just that....an individual. No two surveyors will come up with the same exact findings in most cases.
Boats are very complex from the standpoint of design and function, and different manufacturers have different ways of doing things.
There are many acceptable methods of construction, plumbing, wiring, and accessory installations, as well as different geographical needs in a vessel, based on the area of it's intended use.

DEAL ONLY WITH FACTS

The interesting thing with surveyors, is that some try to 'reinvent the wheel'. Surveyors, having been in the marine industry for a long time (at least I would hope so), have their own likes and dislikes, as we all do. What I mean by this is that personal preferences are not something that should be within a survey report. In a survey, if something in a report is of acceptable marine standards, but the surveyor enters it into his report as a 'deficiency', it is innacurate and creates a false impression. All good surveyors relay the facts to their clients in an easy to understand manner, explaining the good, the bad, and just as importantly, the indifferent.
Buyers pay a substantial amount of money to get a survey/condition report on a vessel they intend to purchase. A surveyor's role is to provide this report based on facts and actual findings by personal inspection, and testing of systems and equipment on board the given vessel. Faulty equipment, non-operational components, mechanical problems, structural fiberglass deficiencies, electrical problems, and running gear condition, are of the most importance to a potential buyer. Also, an accurate value based on the condition of the vessel. What the surveyor's responsibility is NOT, is advising a purchaser of anything based on HIS (the surveyor's) personal PREFERENCES, and should stick with facts based on acceptable marine practices and standards.

 

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SURVEYOR

 

Experience is everything when trusting a surveyor. Where did he learn the business? What practical experience and schooling has he had? If he is an engine surveyor, does he have any diplomas or certifications from any MARINE engine and/or transmission manufacturer? To become a marine hull or engine surveyor, a person needs only to fill out a membership, and pay dues to an 'accredited' survey association (there are many). There is NO formal licensing, no formal training, nor any FORMAL STANDARD of practicing their craft that is answerable to any higher legal power, or federally governed agency. Therefore, it is crucial as a buyer to do their homework when hiring a surveyor. Get recommendations and referrals, and if you can't, ask the surveyor to see his accredited documentation.
Now please don't get me wrong, there are many credible surveyors out there (actually, most are), but there are others to beware, and that is the reason for this page. Beyond that, ALL surveyors have a disclaimer in their reports covering them from responsibility and litigation regarding 'errors and omissions' of items not properly reported or just flat out missed during their inspections.

Getting back on track here...a survey is generally a full report of a vessel's overall condition. When a potential buyer presents an offer on a boat (assuming he has already seen the vessel in person), they already take into account the physical condition....the exterior fiberglass and gel coat or paint condition, as well as the bright work, hardware, any woodwork or upholstery on the vessel, the age of the electronics, and the completeness of the electronics package. Also considered is the overall condition of the interior....carpeting, fabrics, blinds or curtains, the wall coverings, or any of the other furnishings within.

 After the survey (most competent surveyors will note these things within their report) is seen by the purchaser, for some reason, many see these items on the report and expect compensation for them!! This is not an issue to be dealt with by a survey, so to make your purchase easier (and also more enjoyable for that matter), stick to RELEVANT FACTS on the report. RELEVANT ITEMS include things in disrepair not seen or known of PRIOR to presenting the offer. There are also many items not considered the responsibility of the seller to repair, compensate for, or address for a buyer. REMEMBER THIS....it is a USED boat. If you expect perfection, then expect to pay a 'perfect boat' price (usually high retail or better). If the boat has exceptional equipment, or for that matter, just better than average or upgraded, did your offer take this into account and ADD for them? Hmmmm... We all want a great deal, but we need to understand when you at least get a GOOD deal. Things like cleaning, polishing, bottom paint (you need to protect it while YOU own it...if you buy a new boat, you pay for the bottom paint to be applied, don't you?), a bulb here and there, an occasional hose clamp or two, an insignificant accessory or item that doesn't work (or matter for that fact)....I'm sure you get my meaning. We need to understand and remember it is a USED boat, and on boats the maintenance is virtually constant to a degree.

Items normally considered worthy of asking for repair or monetary adjustment include problems with the following....engine/s, generator/s, a/c system/s, non-working electronics, structural fiberglass items, fiberglass blisters in the bottom(if not merely cosmetic), appliances that don't operate, problems with running gear(damaged props, struts, shafts, etc.)and generally any major systems that add value to the vessel that are not performing as they should. REMEMBER.....if you're a buyer now, you'll someday be a seller! Be reasonable in your negotiations and you'll be amazed at how much more reasonable the seller will be as well in coming together with you to wrap up a purchase. There's nothing more frustrating than paying for a survey and not completing the purchase, as you will most likely go through the trouble, and expense, again on the next boat you go to survey on. Work out the problems, it's not only easier, but usually less expensive in the long run.

 Contrary to what most people think, gel coat and paint on a boat are not impervious to moisture intrusion. 'Osmotic blisters' are caused by this moisture permeating (through osmosis) the gel coat or paint. This is normal, but where the problem comes in is when there is uncured resin within the hull lay up that comes in contact with this moisture. Resin that never mixed with the hardener properly is where blisters form. This resin mixing with the moisture creates a mild acid, which in turn expands, forcing the gel coat and/or the laminate to bulge out, or 'blister' so to speak. Blisters only under the gel coat are cosmetic in nature, and normally easily and cheaply rectified. Blisters that are large and deep into layers of the laminate are more serious and more expensive to repair, but are still not a deal breaker. Methods developed in the last few years to repair these have drastically improved and lowered the costs in doing so. When small in size and number, grinding the blisters out, giving them adequate to dry out, and then epoxy filling them generally takes care of the problem. In extreme cases, the bottom gets peeled and reapplied, then a two part epoxy barrier coat applied to correct future problems. Costs vary, but it gets more and more reasonable as time goes on. Speak to a qualified boat yard for more specific info regarding repair methods in use today, as well as the costs involved.

 

A qualified and competent surveyor gives recommendations as to what is needed not only to get the boat in the proper condition for operation, but also what is necessary for normal maintenance, and also to legally operate the vessel. The surveyor who is knowledgeable explains to the buyer items that should be resolved by the seller, as well as make the buyer aware of items needing attention at his own expense, and in his own interest as a boat owner. Items normally needing attention by the new owner are many, but the most commonly misunderstood are as follows:
Any and all Coast Guard items required by law to operate the vessel, including:
A) Tagging of any and all fire extinguishers and/or halon systems by a qualified fire safety specialist (this is something that by law must be done annually), and is inexpensive to do so.
B) Having life jackets on board for each person on the vessel whenever under operation is also the responsibility of the new owner (if the seller left life jackets on board that is great, but it is not required of them to do so).
C) Supplying and maintaining up to date flares and signaling devices onboard. Basically, anything requiring normal Coast Guard equipment for a vessel of the given size and type.
When shopping for a surveyor, ask for references, or trust in FIRST HAND recommendations from people you know and respect.