4 Reasons To Hire A Certified Marine Surveyor

When buying or selling a boat, it's critical to have that vessel inspected by a certified marine surveyor. The surveyor will inspect the vessel and prepare an unbiased report of their findings. This is equally important for yacht brokers, insurance agents, private parties purchasing a boat, people thinking about investing in or refitting a boat, and existing boat owners.

Here are four reasons to hire a certified marine surveyor:

Protection of Assets

The surveyor will help spot areas of potential problems that may not be evident to the naked eye. With these issues identified early on, money can be spent more wisely, and repairs can be made before they become a big problem.

Though marine surveyors look for structural issues with your purchase, another matter they look at closely is how consistently the boat has been running. If the boat has not been well-maintained, you might be looking at some hefty repair bills down the road.

In this context, the surveyor will help you avoid buying a boat that is far more expensive to fix than the purchase price. They can look at all of the parts and equipment on your prospective boat and tell you if they're good for another few years, need to be replaced soon, or are ready for the junk pile.

Protection of People

A marine surveyor has the training and experience to spot certain parts, equipment, and procedures that might endanger people on board. In addition, they will look for safety hazards, such as flammable materials stored improperly around an engine compartment or gas locker.

Valuation

An accurate appraisal valuation is critical to most owners of fine boats and yachts. It usually represents a large portion of the total value of a vessel. Since marine surveyors have been trained in all aspects of boat construction and antiques, their very purpose is to know everything about a boat's physical characteristics. If you are interested in how your yacht ranks against others, certified marine surveyors can tell you the values for similar vessels and help set an accurate price.

Warranty Protection

At the time of an inspection, they will check to ensure that all required equipment is in place and working properly. In addition, surveyors will point out items that are not original or no longer working quite right, which could affect your warranty coverage from the manufacturer. This inspection protects both the buyer and the seller.

The Takeaway

If you are in the market to buy a boat, there is one certainty: it will come with surprises. They can range from small annoyances like worn hoses or trim tab bearings to significant problems like damaged hulls, stress cracks, and even undisclosed collisions. Thus, it's advisable to hire a certified marine surveyor to examine the material condition of the boat.