What Should I Expect From a Survey

Generally, a survey will consist of an in-water inspection, sea trial, and a haul-out to inspect the bottom and submerged equipment. In order to fully assess the condition of the vessel it is advisable to perform both in-water and out-of-water inspections. It is the responsibility of the buyer to arrange for the haul-out. The owner, agent of the owner, or hired skipper should be present to operate the vessel on the sea trial and transport the vessel to the boat yard for the haul-out. The final report will generally be e-mailed to the client within 24 hours of the completion of the survey. A typical survey starts in the morning at the vessel. Most of the survey is done in the water. A sea trial is conducted on the way to, or back from, the shipyard. The survey is completed back at the vessel’s slip. After the inspection the surveyor will discuss the findings and answer any questions. Feel free to ask questions during the survey. The surveyor will also point out issues with the vessel during the survey. Some things to consider prior to the survey are;

• Scheduling a haul-out with the shipyard
• Providing a captain to operate the vessel

The haul-out usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes and most shipyards like to have the boat out over their lunch break. For insurance reasons the boat should only be operated by the owner, and agent of the owner, or a hired captain.

The survey is a visual inspection of every accessible part of the vessel. All the systems; electrical, mechanical, structural, tanks and plumbing, will be inspected. The engines and transmissions will be inspected externally and observed how they operate on the sea trial. A more in-depth mechanical inspection is by a certified mechanic is always a good idea. For sailboats, the rigging will be inspected at the deck level. If the rigging has not been fully inspected recently it is a good idea to hire a rigger to fully inspect the rigging.

The survey report you will receive from So Cal Surveys will be detailed and include digital photographs. We use standards set by the US Coast Guard, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). The findings in our reports are divided into three categories identifying safety issues, other issues that should be repaired in a timely manner, and notes of useful information.

The survey is limited to easily accessible areas of the vessel and time constraints. Inaccessible areas behind screwed panels, tacked carpet, locked areas, or any other areas are not generally inspected. The survey is limited by the amount of time we have access to the vessel which is typically 3 to 6 hours depending on the size of the boat.

Do I need to be present at the survey?

It is a good idea to be present at the survey. The surveyor will provide additional information about the boat beyond what will be in the report. Of course, some buyers are very knowledgeable and are comfortable not being at the survey. Sometimes buyers are out able to attend the survey. There is no requirement to be present and the surveyor will try to answer any questions by phone, text, or email.

Do you preform mechanical surveys?

We do not evaluate the internal mechanical parts of the engines and transmissions. We will comment on the operation and condition of the external parts of the engines and transmissions. It is a much better idea to hire a mechanic who regularly works on the type of engines that are in the vessel to evaluate the internal workings of the engines and transmissions. The survey is a visual inspection and ends where tools are required.

How do I choose a marine surveyor?

It is never too early to start looking for a qualified marine surveyor. It is important to find a surveyor with the appropriate background, qualifications, and accreditation such as the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)® and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). Most insurance and finance companies will only accept reports from accredited surveyors in good standing with organizations like SAMS or NAMS. It is also important to find a surveyor who you are comfortable working with. The more comfortable you are with your marine surveyor, the more you will get out of the survey.

What should the owner do so prepare for the survey?

The owner should inspect the vessel prior to the survey to ensure the vessel is clean and orderly and to identify problems such as:

• Low batteries
• Difficulty starting the engine
• Condition of seacocks
• Fuel hoses, fittings, and leaks
• Required safety equipment

Lockers should be emptied if practical to allow inspection of all spaces. Additional equipment and papers should be readily available for inspection.

What should the buyer do so prepare for the survey?

We understand that the process of buying a boat or yacht is complicated, and do our best to be flexible to accommodate the needs of our clients. However, it is important to understand that when a surveyor commits to a date and time for a survey, they are turning down any other requests for surveys for that specific date and time. When scheduling a survey make sure:

• The boat yard can schedule your haul-out
• The owner or the owners agent (broker) is available to allow access to the vessel
• A qualified person is available to operate the vessel
• The vessel is in operational condition
• Shore power is available

How do you value determine the value of a boat?

We use Soldboats.com find comparable vessel that have recently sold. The BUC guide is a respected publication that estimates the general value of a vessel. It also helps to look at the vessels that are currently listed for sale. The fair market value of a vessel can usually be estimated with these resources. The fair market value does not always account for the amount of money spent in repairs or additional equipment. Another value you will see on the report is the replacement value. This value is the estimated cost to replace the vessel with a new vessel today. This value is useful for the insurance company to estimate your premium.

Do you accept credit card payments?

We accept credit card payments however, there is a 5% fee applied to credit card payments. Credit card payments over $750 requires a mailing address that matches the address that the credit card company or Pay Pal account have on record. .