Why Have a Marine Survey?
Why do you want a survey?
A Marine Survey is a comprehensive evaluation performed by a professional marine surveyor to assess the condition and value of a vessel. This detailed inspection examines the boat’s construction, components, and systems at the time of the survey. The final report includes a list of findings and recommendations, an estimated Fair Market Value, compliance reports for federally mandated equipment, and extensive photos documenting the vessel’s condition.
At Marine Surveys of North Carolina, LLC, we adhere to rigorous standards, following Federal Codes (CFR), U.S. Coast Guard regulations, American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) guidelines, and National Fire Protection Association standards. We maintain a strict Code of Conduct, Rules of Practice, and high standards in our report writing to provide reliable and professional service.
Many buyers choose to inspect a vessel themselves, only to later discover significant issues that could have been addressed during the sale process. In some cases, the vessel may not have been the right choice for the buyer. Every week, I receive calls from buyers who skipped the survey, only to uncover serious problems after the purchase.
Buyer Did a Self Inspection
This is a 430-horsepower wake boat. The buyer was ready to finalize the purchase when his insurance company requested a pre-purchase survey. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the vessel had struck a submerged object, bending the tip of every blade on the propeller. The owner hadn’t noticed the damage, as the powerful engine masked the performance issues caused by the damaged prop. The survey revealed further problems: the propeller shaft was bent, which had destroyed the cutlass bearing, the rudder post was bent, allowing water to enter the vessel, and the hydraulic steering ram had been torn from its mount and was moving freely beneath the engine, hidden from view. Due to the survey, the buyer was able to negotiate repairs before completing the purchase.
New Boat.
This was a new 2024 vessel with less than 14 hours of use. The owner reported that the boat was sitting low in the water and experiencing performance issues. Upon inspection, several problems were identified. The return fuel line clamp was not properly secured to the barb, and none of the positive terminals had the required protection, as specified by USCG regulation 33 CFR 183.420. Additionally, the power distribution lugs were overstacked and incorrectly ordered, violating ABYC E-11 standards, which allow no more than four conductors per terminal, stacked from largest to smallest. Manufacturing debris clogged the bilge pumps and limber holes, preventing proper drainage of standing water, which added unnecessary weight to the vessel. The trim tabs were not calibrated, and although the indicator lights showed they were functioning, the tabs were not actually moving. Furthermore, the mounting bracket hardware had already started to corrode.
DIY Hull Modifications.
During the survey, it was discovered that the vessel had been extended from its original length of 37 feet to over 45 feet. While the owner achieved a visually appealing result, the structural modifications were not done according to best practices. Coosa Board was used to extend the hull, with fairing compound applied to smooth the surface, followed by a layer of gelcoat for a polished finish. However, no fiberglass or tabbing was used to properly secure the extension to the original hull, raising concerns about its structural integrity.
No Survey.
This buyer purchased a 42-foot boat without conducting a survey and soon discovered significant electrical problems. The previous owner had claimed the boat was "completely rewired," but on closer inspection, the rewiring had been done using a residential breaker panel and Romex—both of which are not allowed on boats. Worse yet, the grounding and bonding systems were ineffective, and the vessel would trip the shore power breaker each time it was connected. Additionally, there was no chafe protection on the wiring entering or exiting the metal breaker panel, creating a fire hazard. The boat was also leaking electricity into the surrounding water, posing a risk of galvanic corrosion to nearby vessels and a serious safety threat to anyone in the water.
I often receive calls from buyers asking what can be done after purchase, and unfortunately, the answer is usually the same: the only option is to redo the work to comply with ABYC guidelines and USCG CFR regulations, often at a significant cost. Skipping a survey may seem like a shortcut, but it can lead to expensive repairs down the road.