Surveying a Boat

Any body considering purchasing a boat should have a marine survey before they do.

What ever the type of boat whether it be a sailing yacht a sports power boat or a motor cruiser a pre purchase survey is essential.

A boat surveyor should be able to spot issues that an average buyer may not be able to see. Quite simply a marine surveyor will have many years of experience and use some specialist tools that the average sailor would not have.

Some times the surveyor will reveal some faults that may be so serious in terms of cost and time to remedy that the proposed buyer may no longer wish to proceed with the purchase.

A report will usually contain some factual detail such as the name and make and the type of construction together with the dimensions and production number if available. The report will also set out the scope of the survey as to whether it was limited in scope in any way such as to the hull and bulkheads only. This can happen if the buyer is fully satisfied with all operating systems of the vessel as they have checked them out themselves but need some professional input on on the hull and bulkheads. Others may want a full survey of all aspects of the boat and this is probably the best choice for the average buyer.

The report will then list a summary of the items checked and not just listing faults but confirming satisfactory and proper operation of the items being examined.

The types of components that would be examined vary from vessel to vessel and it all depends on the type pf construction. However the following items (which is not meant to be exhaustive) would often be considered in a marine survey:-

Hull bulkheads and keel
Anodes
Hull internal including the bilges
Bilge pumps and sea cocks
Decks, deck fittings and deck surfaces
Steering, rudder and the stern glands
Fuel tanks and filling caps
Water tanks
Gas and cooker installation
Lighting and electrical systems
Batteries and operating switches
Mast boom and rigging
Sails
Anchor and chain
Anchor winch
Bow and stern thrusters if applicable
Engine or Engines
Hatches, doors, windows and portholes

Some boat surveyors will not be prepared to report on the condition of the engines and will refer that work to a marine engineer. Some surveyors are also marine engineers and indeed diesel specialists in their own right and as such will be quite prepared to carry out this work. Often using pecialist hearing equipment.

My view is 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 photograph at a later date. Also by attending you can see for your self the condition of the hull,anodes and antifouling etc. Lastly you will see the quite detailed and involed woprk that goes into a marine survey and exactly what you are paying for.

Often a lift out for a survey is arranged at lunchtime or some time during midday as then the boat yard can leave the vessel being surveyed in the slings of the hoist crane. Remember however this will only give the surveyor about an hour or an hour and a half and you need to check that the surveyor is happy with that time allowance. Usually the boat yard will power wash the hull at the time of the lift so as to make the surveyor's job a lot easier.

It is very good advice to always have a survey of any boat that you purchase second hand. Apart from many of the points that I have covered in this article it may also reveal evidence of impact damage or repairs that have not been properly carried out. At the same time as the survey you should get a valuation for insurance purposes.