STEVEN R. UHTHOFF, SA,
MARINE SURVEYOR

Steven Uhthoff has spent his entire life onboard boats. At the age of 7 his parents decided to go cruising and headed south for the islands.  By the time Steve was 18 he had 30,000 miles of sailing experience. His father, Steve Sr., is a well known shipwright and boatyard owner. He naturally taught Steve Jr. his skills in the marine trade, from replacing a frame in a wooden boat to spiling a  plank to fit the hull to replacing a mast or even installing a new diesel.

Steve started his career at the age of 14 working for Annapolis Spars & Rigging and progressed to boat building and all aspects of repairs. In the late 1980s Steve was the owner and operator of  Steve’s Yacht Repairs and Annapolis Harbor Boat Yard. In 2000, Steve sold the boatyard and opened Annapolis Gelcoat and Fiberglass Repairs. These experiences have given Steve a great ability to see potential problems and explain issues in a way that is easily understood.

After a lifetime of working in almost all areas of the marine industry, Steve decided to join and serve his apprenticeship with Robert Noyce, Marine Surveyor. In September 2006 Robert retired from the survey portion of R.A. Noyce & Associates. Robert has continued to focus on new construction of Asian built vessels while Steve has opened Steven Uhthoff Marine Surveys and now manages the surveys for R.A. Noyce, assuming Robert's role in the survey business.

Steve has always enjoyed using his various boats over the years. He has owned several different boats, from his first sailing dinghy at the age of 6 to a 14-foot Chesapeake crab boat to a 28-foot  Diggs work boat, and his 30-foot 1966 Swedish sloop to a 44-foot 1952 Friendship sloop. Steve recently sold his 45-foot Charlie Morgan and is currently enjoying a 24-foot Mako center console which you may see out on the water fishing or poking around the bay.

It was common to see Steve out on the race coarse sailing aboard a J-24 or one of the Farr boats known as Predator. He has long been known in the racing community for his uncanny ability to fair and shape race boat keels, hulls and rudders. In 1996, Steve had shaped the keels of four out of the top ten winning J-boats in the J-24 world championships. Steve just likes boats and likes being on them. He now enjoys meeting other boat owners and sharing his knowledge and experience during his inspections.

Steve looks forward to discovering new boating equipment and learning about it as it comes out on the market. You'll also find him using new inspection equipment such as an Infrared Imaging camera or his tablet computer and custom inspection software.  Steve is a member of SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors), ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) and the BoatUS Technical Exchange.

CHRIS OLIVER, SR.,
MECHANICAL SURVEYOR

Chris applies forty years experience in the marine engine industry to conduct comprehensive engine and generator surveys of sail and power boats. He is an expert marine engine mechanic and surveyor. 

Chris founded Chesapeake Marine Engines in 1970. As owner and operator of the Annapolis-based company, he sold and serviced nearly every brand of diesel and gasoline marine engine and generator. Trouble-shooting, repair and maintenance, rebuilding, repowering, surveying, and installation were part of his daily work as he coupled his mechanical and technical abilities with business skills.

In 2005 he established Chris Oliver Marine Engine Surveyor, LLC to specialize in surveying. He surveys diesel and gasoline engines and generators for customers throughout the Atlantic Coastal region as well as other locations. Clients include potential buyers, boat owners, and insurance companies.

He also leads weekend engine maintenance and repair seminars for boat owners several times a year and has taught marine engine classes at a community college.

Chris' connection to the boating world reaches beyond the workplace. In his free time he designs and builds high-performance 1-liter and 2.5-liter modified race engines and races his 2.5-liter modified hyroplane in APBA-sanctioned events throughout the country. He has set two world records and won both national and North American high point championships.