|
|
|
|
| |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
-
| | | |
What is a Pre-Purchase "CONDITION AND VALUATION" Survey?
This survey is suitable for pre-purchase, insurance or finance. This comprehensive format includes a structural and cosmetic evaluation of the exterior hull, interior hull and framing, decks and deckhouse, cabin spaces, machinery and electrical systems, (test operating where possible), all rigging where appropriate and testing of additional systems and items of equipment. The inspection also includes moisture testing of hull and deck laminates of fiberglass vessels.
WHO needs this survey? Any person considering the purchase of a vessel. A Marine Survey addresses any concerns about quality, safety, and the long-term effects of your investment in a vessel.
A comprehensive report is prepared that includes sections pertaining to repairs and recommendations and market valuation.
| | | |
|
WHAT IS A DAMAGE SURVEY?
The Damage Survey is an accurate and comprehensive examination of your vessel after loss or damage that is usually conducted for insurance purposes.
We also perform consulting services to ensure that the damage repairs have been correctly repaired.
| | | |
|
WHY DO I NEED A MARINE SURVEY?
Most insurance companies and banks will require a survey on older vessels, usually every 5 years. They will need to know her condition and fair market value in order to finance and/or underwrite the vessel. Knowing her condition and fair market value before you purchase is also important to you. However, the most important reason to survey your vessel is for the safety of the passengers and crew. Although you may be a life-long boater, it would be very difficult for you to know all the ABYC Standards, and pitfalls in certain boats. SAMS surveyors will survey a boat to ABYC standards.
| | | |
|
WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO CALL A SURVEYOR?
Whenever you first think of buying a boat, or think you may need a surveyor, start to look for one. It may take you a while to find one in your area. He or She may give you good advice on certain boats that may save you problems, and money in the future. Many good surveyors will give you sound advise at no cost to you.
| | | |
|
HOW LONG DOES A SURVEY TAKE?
I can perform my service normally within 48 hours. I recommend that you be there to open any locks and give me permission to board and inspect. The survey can run anywhere from 2 to 10 hours depending on the size of the vessel and 2 to 8 hours in the office to thoroughly prepare the survey report. Our goal at "Professional Marine Surveyors" is to have the completed survey reports in your hand within 36 hours.
| | | |
|
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A SURVEY?
| | | |
|
WHAT IS A B Y C?
It is the abbreviation for American Boat and Yacht Counsel. It is the body that makes the voluntary safety standards for the boating industry. There are many standards, and they are designed for your safety. Many old, and some newer boats do not conform to these standards, and should be upgraded . A good surveyor will help. If a boat doesn't conform to these standards, it's value will be affected.
| | | |
|
SURVEYS ARE EXPENSIVE. DO WE REALLY NEED A SURVEY?
The cost of a proper Pre-Purchase Survey will be only in the order of one or two percent of the purchase price. If the surveyor finds no significant faults then it is still only a small price to pay for peace of mind and many good nights of sleep. If the surveyor finds deficiencies that should rightly be rectified by the vendor, or be the subject of a price reduction to allow for repair costs to be incurred by the purchaser, then the survey fee will immediately cease to be a cost. Even the newest boats have faults, and the survey report will give you a valuable repair and maintenance program for the future.
| | | |
|
IT HAS A NEW BOAT SAFETY CERTIFICATE DATED LAST MONTH!!
The Boat Safety Scheme ("BSS") addresses only a limited number of aspects, principally fire and explosion risk. A BSS examination can be carried out with the boat lying sunk with a gaping hole in its bottom. The inspection does not cover the condition of the hull, the stern gear, the steering gear, the weed hatch, the bilge pump provisions, the condition of skin fittings, stability or indeed many other areas that might be of interest to a purchaser. It is also a fact, clearly recognized by the new Quality Assurance systems now being hurriedly implemented by BSS, that the quality of inspections by many of the examiners recruited from other non-marine fields has fallen well short of what was required, and that very many boats have been issued with certificates whilst fundamental deficiencies exist, within or without the scope of the scheme, which you may wish to know about before you commit to buying.
| | | |
|
IF IT WAS SUVEYED LAST YEAR AND IT WAS O.K., DO I NEED A SURVEY?
Look carefully at why the vendor had it surveyed last year. It is very likely that the survey was only for insurance purposes. Insurance companies need periodic reassurance that the risk they are covering is reasonably unlikely to sink / blow up / turn over during the next few years. They are not really interested in whether the cabin sole is rotting away, or in all sorts of other details that you as a buyer might wish to know about. An insurance survey seeks to minimize the amount of reading an underwriter has to do and addresses only areas pertinent to risk and, perhaps, valuation.
| | | |
|
CAN I BE PRESENT DURING THE SURVEY?
Absolutely, I welcome all clients to be present and I have no problem explaining as I conduct the survey.
| | | |
|
HOW IS PAYMENT TO BE MADE?
Certified check, bank money order,cash, or personal check.
| | | |
|
|
|
|
