But before you consider hiring a Marine Surveyor, you need to be competent to do a basic per-survey inspection of any boat that might qualify for the short list. The reason is cost. Probable costs are around $AUD 1,000 for an average survey, including slipping for the out of water component. So your Marine Surveyor should be your last line of defence, not your first.
Also for a Buyer, there are so many listings to see and evaluate. And because many of these boats for sale might well qualify; in terms of suitability, aesthetic qualities and price; it pays to take your time. As at 2010, boat markets in the US and Europe (and soon to be in Australia) are flooded with stock and Buyers have by and large vacated the field. So it’s clearly not feasible to have your Marine Surveyor inspect every boat that might qualify for an offer.
Your pre-survey survey is process of elimination based upon a number of guidelines specifically applicable to the build medium. This post doesn’t attempt to address these guidelines. Suffice to say that you need to be more vigilant in certain areas of a steel boat. These particular areas of interest will not be the same for a glass boat and different again for foam cored glass boat and different yet again for a wooden boat. And of course then there’s aluminum and even ferro cement if you’re game enough to venture into that territory.
When via this process; you have eliminated the boats you deem to be not worthy of pursuit, you have your short list of possibly one or two vessels. At this point you need to select a Surveyor. So whom do you ask for advice in this regard?
The first piece of advice forthcoming will likely be offered by the Yacht Broker if indeed there is one.
But while this advice may be taken on board, it should never be followed without solid validation. There are simply too many unwholesome arrangements out there in boat Buyer land, for you to place your trust unreservedly in any Broker’s recommendation of a Marine Surveyor.
A better tactic is to ask around locally among savvy boat owners & local Shiprights. This simply avoids the potential conflict of interest situation that arises between the Broker and a Surveyor.
When you find a Surveyor by this means you need to clearly communicate to him your usage intentions for the boat. Do you intend to go to sea? Will you be day sailing or undertaking longer term cruises? What are your expectations with regard to the boat? All of these questions are relevant to the stance your Surveyor takes with respect to his investigations on your behalf.
Megane Marine Provide Bunker Surveys in UAE & Marine Cargo Surveys in Dubai. Our surveyors are highly motivated with best in class renumerations and unique performance-based incentives to ensure highest levels of integrity and professionalism.service for marine fuels oil bunkers.
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