All marine surveyors are not the same. Experience and knowledge are the key. Recently, I had a client call me to re-survey a boat in Ft. Lauderdale. He informed me that the seller, a large internationally owned yacht liquidator, had recommended a surveyor from a popular organization. After getting an unsatisfactory survey, the client relayed that the surveyor said there was no need to put his 37’ boat in the water to test the engines, generator, and air-conditioning unit’s performance. He claimed all systems could be run and be tested using a watering hose. This is ridiculous. You need a full load order to accurately test any of those systems. In layman’s terms, the engine must be tested full throttle in water to check for overall performance. Your engine must also be given a back down test in order to test reverse. The transmission, shafts, engine mounts, loose seals, oil leaking, water leaking, and more are only able to be verified when the boat is being sea trialed. Although it is recommended to flush engines and generator out of water, it is not recommended to run engines for any extended period of time out of the water.
I offer tips to help my clients clear the wheat from the shaft. All marine surveyors are not the same. The key question to ask is, “How are you going to test to obtain the correct data?” Not, “What is the best price you can give me?” I see many mistakes made by clients because they ask the wrong questions. Your survey stands as an accurate report of the current condition and deficiencies of your vessel. The most important thing is that your surveyor knows HOW to accurately test for each mechanical function.

Later Gator,
Captain Trip Vawter