If you are looking
purchase a yacht, then the primary reason that you will want to carry
out a survey is so that you understand the overall condition of the
boat before you make a purchase.
Deciding to purchase a
yacht is a big decision, and as boats can be particularly liable to
damage caused by general wear and tear from sailing, as well as
deterioration from the sea, salt, and the sun, it's essential that
you can determine the state of the boat before committing to a
purchase.
The
Royal
Yachting Association (RYA) strongly recommend having a survey
completed before purchase. Mandy Peters, a legal advisor to the RYA
quoted in an article published on the The Telegraph Online says that:
"With regard to a second-hand boat, the onus is completely on
the buyer to ensure that the boat he or she is buying is in a
satisfactory condition, or that they are fully aware of the condition
of the boat, prior to completing the sale."
However, this might be
the first time you are considering purchasing a yacht and you may
feel rather concerned that a comprehensive survey need to be
completed before committing to a purchase.
So to help grow your
understanding and awareness about yacht surveys, take a look at these
five things that you might find useful to look out for when
considering conducting a yacht survey.
1.Who should I hire?
This will probably be
the first consideration you will think about. If you have never had
to carry out a survey before, then how do you who is best to complete
the survey?
One of the best pieces
of advice to help ensure that you have a detailed survey completed is
to do as much research as possible. Take a look at a range of
companies and understand exactly what they specialize in and how they
conduct the survey.
SouthEast
Yacht Surveys specialise in a number of surveys, such as
pre-purchase surveys, insurance surveys, valuation reports and damage
surveys to name a few. Once you have determined the type of survey
you require, have a look as to what the survey includes.
Once you have located a
company that you are interested in, contact them and discuss their
experience, and ask if they would provide you with a sample survey
that they have carried out for a yacht similar to the one you are
interested in, and also be sure to ask for references.
If you still feel at a
loss, then try and contact other individuals who have also had a
survey carried out on their boat, and ask if they have any
recommendations or advice.
2. Prepare for the
assessment
One of the ways you can
help ensure that your yacht will be properly inspected is to do as
much preparation as possible.
This is definitely a
noteworthy point for the very reason that surveyors generally do not
inspect specific areas that require the removal of panels using
tools. Consequently, it is the responsibility of the owner's
representative to ensure that any panels have been removed.
Another way to make
sure that the yacht is properly and thoroughly examined is to clean
the vessel as much as possible and remove any unnecessary items for
the inspection. The cleaner and clearer the yacht is, the easier the
inspection will be to carry out.
3. The sea trial
Yacht surveys generally
include three aspects; the in-water inspection, the haul-out
inspection, and the sea trial.
The sea trial is an
important element of the survey when the vessel and engine are put to
the test, however some of the major systems are also observed and
tested during the trial.
The sea trial not only
assesses the performance of the steering, controls, shafting engine
mounts and exhaust systems but is also the opportunity for you to
understand how the boat feels.
Conducting
the sea trial on open water will give a better indication as to how
well the boat performs. A good surveyor will usually recommend an
open ocean trial unless the conditions are not safe enough in which
you might then have to postpone the sea trial.
4. Read the report
carefully and ask questions
When the survey report
is eventually presented to you, it is fundamental that you go through
it with a fine-tooth comb to so that you understand the final
evaluation before making a decision whether to purchase or not.
Asking plenty of
questions is a good thing, so if there is anything in the report that
you are unsure of, or requires further clarification, then do not be
afraid to contact the surveyor as they should be happy to go through
it with you.
5. Consult other
expertise
Even when the final
evaluation is presented to you, you might still feel as though it
would be a good idea to consult with other experts.
The expertise of
surveyors may range rather widely, therefore having a fresh pair of
eyes looking over your report, by, for example, an engine surveyor
could help raise awareness for any other technical issues.
Hopefully you have
found these five tips for having a yacht survey carried out useful.
The decision to purchase a yacht will take time, however ensuring
that you have a thorough examination of the vessel carried out will
help raise awareness as to whether it the right purchase for you.
Seeking the right expertise is important, therefore do not be afraid
to ask for additional advice once the survey has been completed.
