Pre-Purchase Marine Survey
This is the most comprehensive type of inspection, and is strongly advised when purchasing a new or used vessel. Your lender or the insurance company who will be insuring the boat post sale typically will require it. This is a full bow to stern inspection of the vessel to determine its condition, safety and value. This includes percussion testing of the hull, decks, superstructure, bottom and structural components such as the stringers and bulkheads. Moisture checks would also be performed where possible to determine if there is moisture in the laminate or coring. The bottom would be inspected as well as the running gear. The electrical systems, propulsion system, fuel system, navigation electronics, miscellaneous on-board systems, and overall maintenance would all be thoroughly inspected as well. A full sea trial would be performed to check the engines proper operation and the sea worthiness of the vessel. In the case of sailboats the sea trial would be performed under both power and under sail. We also include an informative sea trial report with the speeds of the vessel at different rpms, fuel economy (if information is available), engine temperature, oil pressure, alternator output, and any other information we can provide. We also have marine diagnostic software for most outboards and gas engines and if possible will include an engine ECM download report showing the run history of the engine to verify engine hours and to check for diagnostic error codes. We will provide you with a detailed survey report which will include the valuation. I survey every boat as if I was buying it with my own money and will leave no stone unturned.
Insurance Condition and Value Survey
This inspection is performed so that the insurance company can determine whether or not the vessel is an acceptable risk and to determine its fair market value. Most insurance companies require a survey on older boats. The inspection that we perform is the same as a pre-purchase survey but typically does not require a sea trial or a haul out. Sometimes they will accept an on land survey only. You should check with your insurance company to see what they require.
Appraisal Inspection
This inspection is performed to gather information to justify or determine the fair market value of the vessel. This is normally needed for financing, estate settlements, divorce agreements, donations and legal cases. We go thru the same process that is performed for the Insurance Condition and Value survey because without knowing the true condition of the vessel we can’t determine its value. Additionally we need to perform a thorough inspection to support our valuation should we be needed to testify in court proceedings.
Insurance Investigations
The surveyor can be retained by an insurance company to determine the cause of a loss and determine the extent of loss related damage and may be asked to recommend repairs, review estimates, and determine the pre-loss value of a vessel. A vessel owner can retain a surveyor for the same purposes, but for the owner's behalf.
Additional Services
Oil Analysis: $50 per sample. Includes shipping
Compression Testing Outboards: $100.00-$200.00 (Depends on engine)
Compression Testing Gas Inboard or Inboard/Outboard engines: $125 per hour
Captain Services: $100/hour
Consulting: $125/hour (2 Hour minimum)
Expert Witness Testimony: $150/hour (4 hour minimum)