Not many people consider the services of a marine surveyor Jacksonville. As a matter of fact, many people learn of the existence of these professionals when they are buying their first boat. If you are in this group, then you probably have a lot of questions about what a marine survey is about. The purpose of this post is to answer most of the frequently asked questions on boat surveys.
What is a marine survey?
If you have never used the services of a marine surveyor Jacksonville before, this is without a doubt the first question you will ask. A marine survey is a detailed inspection of a boat. The inspection is done to determine the seaworthiness and condition of a boat. A survey may also be requested to help an insurance company identify the issues that may lead to a claim. Lenders too may request a survey to be done in order to understand the real value of the vessel.
Why is a marine survey important?
When buying a boat, you don’t want to end up with a boat that is in a bad condition. Getting a survey done helps you understand the exact condition of the vessel you are after. The survey will also help you know the fair market value of the boat as well as if it is a good fit for your intended use. A marine survey will also determine if the boat meets safety criteria and helps keep your crew safe. As aforementioned, it is unlikely that you will be able to get insurance or financing without a qualifying boat survey.
Who needs a boat survey?
Anyone that owns a commercial or pleasure boat or is thinking of selling or buying one needs a survey to be done. A boat survey can also help you know if you are carrying the right amount of insurance coverage.
Who pays the surveyor?
The person that hires the boat surveyor is the one that pays them. For example, if you are buying a used boat and you call in a surveyor to assess its condition, you will be the one paying the surveyor. Surveyors charge a fixed fee for smaller boats and a per-foot fee for larger boats.
What will a boat surveyor do?
When you call in a licensed surveyor in Jacksonville, their job will be to comb through every inch of the boat. They will use specialized equipment to identify all the issues and take photographs that will be included in the survey report. The surveyor also determines the fair market value of the boat. A sea trial may also be done. Keep in mind that how comprehensive a survey is will depend on the purpose of the survey and the surveyor you hire.
