PREPARING YOUR BOAT FOR A MARINE SURVEY
Properly preparing your boat for a survey involves some time, effort and even a few dollars. But, it’s well worth it. Generally, the better the boat is prepared for the survey the higher the probability is of getting a favorable survey. Once the boat is “under contract”, usually contingent on a pre-purchase survey acceptable to the buyer, the last thing you want is an unfavorable inspection that will re-open negotiations, delay the sale and possibly kill the deal.
Most importantly, the boat should be clean and orderly. The vessel should also be clutter free and have all systems and equipment accessible and operating. It’s the seller’s responsibility to have all “listed” equipment in operating condition. Having the boat in such condition will enable the surveyor to move methodically through the boat and get his job done efficiently. Even though most professional surveyors do a complete and thorough inspection and evaluate the yacht objectively, they generally get on a yacht and within minutes subconsciously form an initial opinion of her condition i.e. excellent, above average, average, below average etc. Why take the chance that a bad first impression might influence the outcome of the survey? Too much is at stake.
Next, anticipate that the surveyor will find problems. Don’t try to hide, deny, minimize or argue about the problems. If possible, have any known problems corrected before the survey. At least, get written estimates to repair any known problems and be prepared to deal with the negotiations after surveyor reports the problems to the buyer. Generally, normal “wear and tear” is already built into the selling price of the used boat, but the costs of repairs for any major defects found in the survey are negotiable between the buyer and seller.
The bottom and underwater running gear are generally inspected as part of the survey. A decision needs be made regarding how the inspection will be done. Will the bottom be inspected while it is stored “on the hard” i.e. on jack stands and blocks? Or, will the boat be hauled the day of the survey and the bottom inspected while the boat is in the Travel Lift. Consider the following before you make this major decision:
1. You are always better off knowing of a problem than being surprised by one. For example, if the boat has blisters, you are better off knowing the nature, extent and remedy and disclosing the situation ahead of time than blowing the deal the day of the survey because the problem is not diagnosed properly or explained rationally.
2. The bottom should be dry. If the boat is stored out of the water for at least three days before the survey moisture between the bottom paint and the outer coating of the hull will have a chance to dry out. Many surveys are done with what is called in the trade a “noon-time hang” or a “short-haul”. Here the vessel is in the water either at a slip or on a mooring on the day of the survey. At some point during the survey, the vessel is taken to a Travel Lift to be lifted out of the water and hung in the lift’s slings for a 1-hour inspection by the surveyor of the bottom and underwater running gear. This method is popular and appealing because it is quick and less expensive since the cost of having the vessel stored on land for a few days is eliminated. However, during one-hour of the “short haul” the bottom paint usually doesn’t have enough time to dry out completely. The remaining moisture in the bottom paint causes most moisture meters commonly used by surveyors to give elevated or high readings. Such readings are usually an unreliable indication of the condition of the bottom’s fiberglass laminate and may cause the buyer uncertainty and unwarranted alarm. An extra few hundred dollars for the three days of storage on land before the survey is well worth escaping the cost of jeopardizing the sale.
3. Bottom and hull should be clean. Obviously a good inspection of the bottom and the underwater running gear necessitates that they be cleaned (power washed) of all underwater growth including slime and vegetation. Any barnacles should be scraped off. With the bottom, keel and rudder clean the surveyor can see and feel for the presence of unfairness, cracks and blisters. Cracks are generally very small and can easily be covered up and disguised by underwater growth. Also, dry underwater growth and barnacles can be very difficult to remove and the use of a scraper by the surveyor can result in scratches and gouges in the inspection area. Topsides and deck areas should also be clean to enable better inspection.
4. Underwater running gear should be clean.
The propeller, propeller nuts, propeller shaft, shaft strut, cutless bearing, rudder stock, pintles, gudgeons, through hulls, etc. also need to be clean for a thorough inspection and to determine wear and/or the presence of any corrosion.
Once these decisions are made with the owner, buyer, broker(s) and surveyor then your boatyard should be notified and made aware of the date and the time of the survey so that the following procedures can be followed and preparations can be done prior to the survey. And, if you decide to store the boat on the hard for the inspection here are some additional considerations.
5. Should be enough space and light around the boat.
The way some yards pack them in it’s sometimes impossible to get a good look at the topsides, moreover, do percussion sounding or moisture meter testing. Getting around the boat to climb up and inspect using a ladder requires at least three to four feet of space. Light too, is important to see if there are any hard spots or print through. Many times I’ve evaluated a hull exterior in the morning light and have had to change my findings after observations made later in the day under different lighting conditions. Being able to sight the hull from different perspectives and with various lighting conditions is critical. That’s why it’s important to have room around the vessel during a survey.
6. Vessel should be securely chocked and supported.
This is a liability issue. Boats that are not properly chocked and supported have been known to fall yards starting a domino chain reaction that can be costly and aggravating.
7. Boat should be exactly upright and on a level keel.
I recently surveyed a boat stored on the hard that had the stern higher than the bow. Bilge water accumulated through an open hatch and moved up forward and was smelly. Mildew was forming inside the cabin.
8. Tarps or covers should be taken off before the surveyor arrives.
Inspection of the vessel is very difficult with the tarps, covers and support structure. Issues could be missed, the surveyor could get exasperated.
Here are some more wise and common sense actions to take regardless of the storage situation.
9. Locks should be unlocked or removed.
While some surveyors carry lock pickers usually lock cutters are used. Won’t that make you unhappy?
10. Hatches should be unlocked and opened slightly.
This “airs” the boat out and eliminates odors.
11. Bilge should be clean and pumped out or drained.
Low lying internal water (i.e. puddles, etc.) does all sorts of harm. It attacks metal parts and wires, it insinuates itself between laminates of fiberglass, rots the bottom of bulkheads and furniture, as well as filling the boat with unpleasant smells. The bilge should be kept dry and clean
12. All loose gear (except fire extinguishers) should taken off the boat and placed neatly near by (leave space under the hull for exterior examination) before the surveyor arrives.
13. Lockers should be clean of gear.
Surveyor needs to get inside compartments to see condition of hull, structure and equipment. Full compartments prevent that unless the surveyor starts emptying the compartments and re-stowing them after he sees what he’s looking for. This is time consuming and will make it difficult to complete a good survey.
14. Every part of the boat and every component should be made as easy to view as possible.
15. Batteries should be installed, charged and working.
A survey can’t be completed unless all DC accessories are tested to see if they are working.
16. Access is needed to shore power.
A survey can’t be completed unless AC accessories are tested to see if they are working.
17. All equipment (including electronics) being sold with the boat should be available.
18. Any owner’s manuals, equipment information, maintenance records, etc. should be available.
19. If a mast has been pulled and stored, it should be easily accessible to the surveyors.
20. Anchor and rode should be fed out over the stem head roller and arranged neatly in 6-foot zigzags on the ground.
21. Engines should be ready to run.
22. Water system should be commissioned with water in the tanks and water heater.
23. Heads and waste system should be ready to be operated.
24. Galley stove should be ready to be to be operated.
With the preparation described above survey day should be a happy event for all parties involved: the seller, the buyer, the broker and the surveyor.
