Winter surveys:
In this part of the Northeast, surveys in the winter present a different set of problems. Access to
the boat, snow, winterized engines and water systems, frozen hulls, shrink-wrap and items
removed from the boat for storage. Complete Pre-purchase surveys including sea trials are
seldom possible. My personal concern is injury from slips or falls. Some of my electronic
equipment especially the digital camera has failed to operate and hull moisture and/or
delamination cannot be determined in subfreezing temperatures. I will always recommend that
the survey be postponed until more favorable conditions permit me to be more thorough, but
sometimes surveys can't wait in order to complete a sale. The Condition and Value Survey is
usually possible and will suffice to obtain financing and/or insurance. Keep in mind the engine(s)
will not be started and water pumps etc will only briefly be powered on. To prepare for the survey
if the boat is covered, I need access to get inside the boat and enough room beneath the cover
for me to move around. I need at least one battery connected for the DC systems and
electronics check, (electronic navigational instruments should be in place and connected), and if
the vessel has shore power it should also be provided. If batteries and AC power is not available,
I carry my own but charge $25 to connect my battery and AC inverter to the boat. Speaking of
extra charges, if I have to, shoveling snow will cost $75/hour. I ask in preparation, if not covered,
that the decks and cockpit be completely cleared of snow and ice. Please prepare a pathway to
the boat and around the perimeter of the hull. If you are buying a boat in the winter, along with
the information gleaned from a C&V survey, I recommend at least 20% of the purchase price be
held in escrow until commissioning and/or a sea trial can be performed to assure the boat will
operate as represented. Please pass this information along to the broker or seller if buying a
boat. If there are any charges for preparing the boat, they might be the obligation of the buyer
and should be discussed and agreed upon before the survey.
In this part of the Northeast, surveys in the winter present a different set of problems. Access to
the boat, snow, winterized engines and water systems, frozen hulls, shrink-wrap and items
removed from the boat for storage. Complete Pre-purchase surveys including sea trials are
seldom possible. My personal concern is injury from slips or falls. Some of my electronic
equipment especially the digital camera has failed to operate and hull moisture and/or
delamination cannot be determined in subfreezing temperatures. I will always recommend that
the survey be postponed until more favorable conditions permit me to be more thorough, but
sometimes surveys can't wait in order to complete a sale. The Condition and Value Survey is
usually possible and will suffice to obtain financing and/or insurance. Keep in mind the engine(s)
will not be started and water pumps etc will only briefly be powered on. To prepare for the survey
if the boat is covered, I need access to get inside the boat and enough room beneath the cover
for me to move around. I need at least one battery connected for the DC systems and
electronics check, (electronic navigational instruments should be in place and connected), and if
the vessel has shore power it should also be provided. If batteries and AC power is not available,
I carry my own but charge $25 to connect my battery and AC inverter to the boat. Speaking of
extra charges, if I have to, shoveling snow will cost $75/hour. I ask in preparation, if not covered,
that the decks and cockpit be completely cleared of snow and ice. Please prepare a pathway to
the boat and around the perimeter of the hull. If you are buying a boat in the winter, along with
the information gleaned from a C&V survey, I recommend at least 20% of the purchase price be
held in escrow until commissioning and/or a sea trial can be performed to assure the boat will
operate as represented. Please pass this information along to the broker or seller if buying a
boat. If there are any charges for preparing the boat, they might be the obligation of the buyer
and should be discussed and agreed upon before the survey.
From the Surveyor's Notebook
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