Pre-Purchase Surveys

Purpose:
A pre-purchase survey inspection is performed once you have made an offer on a vessel and are under contract subject to an inspection. This is the most intense of all surveys. It is conducted by an unbiased surveyor who works solely for the buyer and is completing the inspection based upon facts found throughout the vessel, in accordance with ABYC, USCG and NFPA guidelines. A pre-purchase survey report gives the buyer a means to evaluate and assure that a vessel is suitable for his or her needs.

Inspection Procedure:
In general, we will check that the systems installed in the vessel are operating normally, verify the safety of the vessel and its passengers, and see that the vessel meets today’s standard. Normally Steve starts the inspection in the engine space since this is the “heart” of the vessel. Next, the dockside systems are tested while the boat is plugged into the shore power. While waiting for the haulout, Steve will test miscellaneous systems and start working through areas of the vessel. Then the boat heads for the travelift.

While in the travelift the condition of the bottom is inspected; Steve looks for blisters and laminate moisture content and any possible structural deficiencies. He also inspects the condition of the antifouling paint, running gear (like rudders, propellers, prop shafts and cutless bearings), thruhull fittings, bow thruster, stabilizers, etc. Once the bottom inspection is complete and all yard fees are paid, the boat is re-launched and it’s time for a seatrial.

During the seatrial Steve will inspect the propulsion system using an infrared digital thermometer and digital tachometer. He checks temperatures throughout the motor and cooling systems, inspects for leaks and vibrations, and monitors the exhaust for any signs of smoke. The vessel’s gauges are verified and the motor is digitally tested to assure it is performing to the manufacturer’s specified RPM rating. If on a sailboat, the sails are raised and examined. The vessel is sailed briefly for inspection of all standing and running rigging.

As the boat heads back to the dock Steve goes forward and starts through the vessel, inspecting his way back to the stern and testing all systems available along the way. Finally, he sounds out the deck with a phenolic hammer, takes moisture meter readings and inspects all deck hardware.

It is prudent to pay attention during the survey; this is the best way to learn about your new vessel. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the inspection – Steve is happy to answer them and point out areas of interest. However, be careful not to slow down the process of the inspection or it could be a very long day.

After the Inspection:
Steve will sit down with you at the end of the day and review the survey findings. Our reports are typically sent out by email 24 to 48 hours after the inspection, and a signed hard copy is mailed within a few days after the email. If you have any questions once you’ve received the report, don’t hesitate to call or email.

We always strongly suggest that a mechanical survey be performed along with a pre-purchase survey, with at least a compression test completed to assure the suitability of the motor. Engine surveys and compression tests are an additional fee.

All survey fees are due at the time of inspection.  Please give us a call for your inspection quote. 

Insurance Surveys

Purpose
Insurance surveys are performed once you own a vessel. They are typically requested by your insurance company about every five years or once a vessel is over 10 years old. This type of inspection verifies for the insurance company that the overall condition of your boat is of suitable underwriting risk. It’s not uncommon for an insurance company to request an out-of-water inspection.

Procedure
In an insurance survey, Steve will inspect safety related items such as safety equipment and inner hull below-waterline equipment like hoses and thruhull fittings. He also looks at fuel lines, mast and rigging, and general structural condition of the deck and hull.  Since the current condition and value of the vessel is to be determined, you’ll want to make sure that any vessel equipment of value is onboard for the inspection. Most insurance reports are emailed within 48 hours of the inspection, and a signed hard copy is mailed a few days after the email. 

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Appraisal Inspections

An appraisal survey is a simple inspection that assesses the overall condition of the vessel and what its current value is in today’s market. Appraisals are typically performed for refinancing purposes, donations, or estate assessments. Most appraisals are emailed within 48 hours of the inspection with a signed hard copy of the report mailed a few days after the email. 

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Consulting Services

Steven Uhthoff Marine Surveys would like to work with you on your next project, whether it’s looking at a vessel to determine its suitability for your yachting needs or helping make your goal a reality on a reconstruction of your current vessel. We work in association with Robert Noyce, who for over 30 years has been involved in surveying and yacht construction both in the United States and Asia.

We also offer repair consultation and oversight. Boat repairs on any structural member or of a major size should be followed be a surveyor to ensure they are properly completed. Our repair consulting service starts with a pre-inspection of the damage and a short report assessing what repairs are needed. Estimates from repair services are reviewed to help determine which one is appropriate for the project described. We then monitor the repair process and send regular email updates describing the progress and steps taken by the repair technicians. Finally, another short report is provided at the end of the project that includes an overall assessment of the repair.

Repairs often have many hidden steps and material costs. Our goal is to uncover as many of these hidden items as possible before and during the repair process. Let our many years of experience in the repair industry work for you! Call today before starting your repair work tomorrow. 

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Infrared Thermal Imaging

Thermography inspections are conducted with an IR (infrared) designated camera. Thermal, or infrared energy, is based on temperature differences in underlying surfaces which an infrared thermography camera can capture. Using this special imagery, the hull and deck are examined to locate water intrusion areas and to pinpoint delaminations within the laminate or coring material. Thermal imaging can also be applied to motors as they are run during seatrial. Excessive hot spots in the engine block or cooling system are sought, helping to reveal internal engine problems that may cause future failures. Electric panel imaging can help locate faulty electrical connections and poor breakers that could cause overheating and fire. Another common use of IR imaging is for profiling carbon fiber laminates. Please be sure to give us adequate advance notice if IR imagery is desired. Additional fees for infrared inspections will apply and vary depending upon the job. Please call for a quote.

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Travel Services Throughout the Coast

Our clients regularly request our services throughout the Eastern seaboard. It is not uncommon to see Steve completing inspections in Newport, RI or Fort Lauderdale, FL. Do not hesitate to call us for an out-of-town survey, we will be more than happy to accommodate your inspection. Please be sure to provide adequate advanced notice for this service.

Blister and Bottom Inspections

Our expertise in bottom blistering is almost unmatched, due to the over 24 years of repair work we have conducted on hundreds of blister jobs. During a bottom inspection Steve will perform both destructive and nondestructive testing of the vessel’s bottom and analyze the extent of the blister damage. A laminate profile report is provided to help you choose a repair service that will understand and perform the appropriate repairs; we’ll be happy to review your estimates. Upon request, Steve will regularly monitor moisture levels to confirm that the bottom has dried appropriately before repair work begins. He will then oversee the repair process for you, providing updates on the job’s status and making sure the repairs are done specifically to your needs. Steve can also suggest the most suitable techniques to assure a long life for your new bottom once the repairs have been properly completed. Give us a call and talk to an expert today. 

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Engine Surveys

Complete engine surveys are always suggested on a pre-purchase survey to assure the propulsion system is in suitable condition. If you would like an engine survey, please let us know upon your survey request. Our associates will be pleased to work with you to provide a professional and thorough engine inspection. Please visit the homepages of
Chris Oliver Marine Engine Surveyor, LLC located on this website, to determine the best company for your propulsion system.     

Engine Computer Analysis

Computer analysis can be performed on engines equipped with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) or ECM (Engine Condition Monitoring) systems. MerCruiser, Volvo Penta and Crusader motors are the usual candidates, from approximately 2001 to present day, however please note that not all motors are equipped. These diagnostic tools are designed to feed information to a laptop computer and give the essential running parameters of a propulsion system. The EFI or ECM will download past data fault-codes and also record data from the engine during seatrial. This allows for a review after sea trialing to assure the motor has reached all the required parameters necessary for proper function. Engine computer analysis can be completed during a normal Pre-Purchase inspection or for general trouble-shooting purposes to assist in repairs. Please give advanced notice if you wish to use this service. Additional charges will apply; please call for a quote.

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Engine Compression Tests

Gasoline or Diesel?
Steven Uhthoff Marine Surveys can perform compression tests on Gasoline inboard and outboard motors upon advanced request. If you would like a Diesel compression test conducted, please let us know when you request your survey and we will help arrange for the appropriate engine surveyor to be at the inspection. Please note that all compression tests require a separate fee in addition to the actual survey cost.

Procedure:
Compression tests start with the removal and inspection of all spark plugs. A compression gauge is then inserted into each cylinder area, and each reading is compared with all the readings around the motor and with the manufacturer’s specifications. If there is low compression it should be no less than 15% of the average cylinder readings. Any low cylinder reading is checked against a second, separate compression gauge to assure the reading is correct. A short report of the findings is provided.

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Oil Analysis

Oil analyses can be performed on both Gas and Diesel engines, transmissions and generators to evaluate excessive internal wear (metal findings), salt content, and antifreeze in the oil. Oil samples are typically drawn once the engine is warm. The sample is put in a container and sent to a laboratory for analysis and a detailed report of all findings. Usually, oil analysis results take 3-5 days although rush orders can be arranged. Be sure to let us know if you would like any oil samples when you request your survey.  Each oil analysis requires a separate fee in addition to the general survey fee.

Chart for reading Oil Analysis

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Preparing for a Pre-Purchase Inspection

Some preparation and arrangements are needed before a marine survey can be conducted. First, a date must be set that accommodates you, the surveyor and the local boatyard. For both boatyards and surveyors, the best time to lift a vessel out of the water for a “short haul” is usually just before lunchtime, around 11:15-11:30. This gives the yard time for lifting and power washing, and most bottom inspections can be finished by the time the lift crew is back from lunch.

Next, confirm that the broker will have someone at the survey to move the vessel and operate it for seatrial. The vessel should be free and clear of “clutter”; this means that if an item is not being sold with the vessel it should not be on the boat. Less clutter allows more timely access to all areas of the vessel for inspection. Surveyors should not have to spend too much time removing non-vessel equipment from lockers just to gain access to the steering areas. 

Finally, make sure that all the equipment you wish to have inspected is onboard the vessel the day of the survey such as wind vanes, sails, dinghy, etc. Allow plenty of time for the inspection to be performed correctly. Inspections typically take anywhere from half a day to two days, depending on the size of the vessel. Times will vary since all boats are different and have many different systems onboard.  Remember that payment for the survey is due at time of the inspection.