Surveyors Are Happy To Talk Things Over With You
Most surveyors are only too happy to talk to you about the survey process, especially if this is your first time employing a surveyor. They will also answer questions after the survey, so don’t be scared to call them up if you see something in a survey report that you don’t understand. Surveyors are on boats every day, but owners and buyers may not always understand some of the technical terms.
Relationships Are Important
Surveyors want to build solid relationships, because their reputations are at stake. There’s a saying experienced surveyors tell newbies: You’re only as good as your last survey. Marine surveyors are often independent businesses and want you to call them first when you buy your next boat and also to recommend them to friends and family. If you have a problem with a survey (or a surveyor) don’t hesitate to bring it up.
A Sea Trial Is Not A Boat Ride
The purpose of a sea trial is to check the boat’s systems, engines, generators, electronics, and other parts that cannot be inspected while the boat is not under commission or is “on the hard.” The surveyor will need to pay close attention to the engines, helm, and systems, and how the boat handles. To get the most from a sea trial, leave the kids, dog, and Aunt Kate at home. They can get a ride on the boat later, assuming you buy it. Too many folks on the boat makes it difficult for the surveyor to do the job properly.
Don’t Get In The Surveyor’s Way
Most surveyors like it when the buyer is at the survey. They can answer questions and point out things of interest on the boat that may not find their way into the survey report. That being said, it makes the job slower if you hover. Allow the surveyor to do his job — you’ll get a complete written report about everything he sees.
The Surveyor Works For You Only
You’ll be paying the bill, so it’s important that you understand that the surveyor reports only to you. He doesn’t share his findings with anyone else unless you specifically request it. If you have a broker acting as your buyer’s agent, then you may ask that the surveyor send a copy of the survey to the agent as it makes your broker’s job easier if he’s asking for things to be addressed. Keep in mind that a survey is only good for a specific time because it’s really a snapshot of what the boat was like on a specific day. Old surveys should not be relied upon.
Make Sure The Boat Is Prepared
If you are asking a surveyor to come to your boat to perform an insurance survey, make sure that the surveyor has access. Don’t expect him or her to empty out lockers of heavy anchors, bags of sails, and boxes of spare parts. The surveyor needs to look at the mechanical parts of the boat, and it causes delays to have to move tons of stuff out of the way. If in doubt, ask the surveyor what he needs before he arrives. He won’t expect everything to be off the boat, but he will appreciate reasonable access. One client asked me to survey his 33-foot sailboat, but it turned out that the entire contents of a small apartment seemed to have been crammed aboard. If that wasn’t bad enough, the boat also had a Great Dane aboard!