Winter surveys:
In this part of the Northeast, Pre-purchase 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 when cold 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 simpler 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 if possible but not necessary for insurance or financing- an inventory is acceptable),
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 3rd party charges for preparing the boat, they might be
the obligation of the buyer and should be discussed with the seller and agreed upon before the
survey.
In this part of the Northeast, Pre-purchase 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 when cold 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 simpler 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 if possible but not necessary for insurance or financing- an inventory is acceptable),
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 3rd party charges for preparing the boat, they might be
the obligation of the buyer and should be discussed with the seller and agreed upon before the
survey.
From the Surveyor's Notebook
