Boat survey: what should be covered?
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, who celebrated 40 years in the marine industry in September 2018, started boat building with his father and uncle and initially built wooden craft; over time he has also built craft in GRP, steel and aluminium. He has been a marine s
THE subject of surveys is certainly a heated one which I frequently see on many of the online inland waterways forums. The trouble is many buyers instruct a survey on price and don’t spend a few more minutes establishing what they are actually paying for!
So when should you think about having a survey? Well, the most common answer would be at the time of purchase of a vessel. There are other times that craft need a survey too; these include when insurance companies request an inspection, for instance. So at point of purchase, regardless of whether you are buying privately or from a broker, it’s wise to ensure that what you are buying is structurally in the condition you are expecting.
In other words, regardless of whether you are buying a top-notch craft or a known project boat, make sure the craft is what you expect it to be and is going to last without nasty surprises.
Before employing a surveyor, be mindful of what you may need; for instance, is the craft at an age where the insurance of the vessel will require a survey? This can generally be from about 30 years old, but some underwriting companies are looking at seeing a survey from about 25-plus.
Many underwriters expect a surveyor to hold membership of a recognised association like the YDSA or IIMS etc. Do watch out for the level of memberships too; some underwriters won’t accept reports from some of the lower grades of membership.
Lastly, make sure whoever you are employing has proper professional indemnity insurance cover. Many brokers do provide a small list of surveyors too – this generally is to help with finding a suitable surveyor that the yard is able to work with. However, you are not bound by their advice.
Before moving on from this bit, watch out for the word ‘qualified’; there are very few formal qualifications to undertake surveys on craft and there are a few who don’t actually have any proper training at all other than a distance learning course. Unbelievably all someone needs to be a marine surveyor is a customer.
On a positive note there are a good number of surveyors who have a long background of being in the industry for many years and some have been involved in building, fitting out or designing. It’s important if you are paying for a survey you get what you are expecting. If in doubt, check with the association websites they say they are members of and also feel free to ask for a sample report from the surveyor you are planning to employ.
So, for a pre-purchase survey before instructing a surveyor, you need to know what level of survey you are getting and what they plan to look at and report on. Is it just a hull external check or a more thorough inspection? Likewise, you need to be aware of what can and can’t be inspected at the place the vessel is being surveyed, and also what you are paying for. It should also be understood that some of the areas of a vessel can be very difficult to check, especially if she is in a shallow dry dock or sat low on a couple of timbers off the ground in a yard. Likewise, are her underwater areas to be pressure washed off? This can at a pre-purchase survey be fraught with issues especially if the craft was recently blacked and then the yard blasts it off; some common sense needs to be exercised.
So, what is possible to survey on a typical narrowboat that’s fitted out? Well, firstly the paint condition of her cabin shell, along with the majority of her hull externally. If she has been presented in a good dry dock or yard facility, the base and side plating should be accessible to be properly hammer tested with examination of the steel plate for pitting along with an inspection of her welding with ultrasound readings taken to establish plate thickness.
The checking of the condition of any overboard discharges and their freeboard is also important. Weed hatches wherever possible should be opened and the thickness of the steel and effectiveness of the seals checked. Some craft have weed hatches that are partly made up from the fuel tank within the counter area; these can often be notorious for failure. Again, bow thrusters are an area of difficulty to inspect with tubes with fitted grilles and motor units often secured under well decks.
Rudder stock tubes again are frequently an issue but almost all are virtually impossible to gain access to with the rudder fitted; sometimes we’re lucky to be able to see the tube within the counter area. Lastly are gas lockers and deck arrangements and the general condition of them.
Frequently within the list above I have vessels at survey that have areas that were quite restrictive to gain inspection, things like base plate welding and actual base plates and weed hatches that can’t be opened. It’s important the surveyor makes it clear what he has been able to inspect and more importantly what he has not been able to view and assess.
At a pre-purchase survey the condition of the engine should ideally be commented upon. In some dry docks the engine can’t be run for several reasons, so it’s important you have seen it run before completion. A survey should comment on whether there were significant oil leaks – also the condition of the engine beds, mounts, fuel tankage, filters and fuel lines, drive belts, exhaust system and cooling system all merit some inspection; lastly the drive, any type of coupling, gland, shaft and propeller.
Within most counter areas apart from the engine there is often a bank of batteries and a calorifier. Many craft also have diesel heaters fitted in there too. All need careful inspection if possible.
Finally is the accommodation walk-through side of a survey. Most narrowboats are quite difficult to fully inspect internally as the fit-outs often don’t provide any portable hatches within the cabin soles to lift. This I do find quite disappointing. The use of a moisture meter around linings focusing on vents and the windows for instance is always useful.
Switch testing of systems where possible, including bilge pump, lights, horn, water pump and shower or hip bath pump-outs are again all worth checking; frequently it’s at that point you find a water pump or joint leaking. Many surveyors don’t physically check gas; some will look at the system and report the obvious issues. A gas safe inspection is always worth the investment.
Once completed you should have a report provided that reflects the condition of the craft with recommendations provided clearly. Some surveyors will allow you to attend the survey or part of the survey. This to me can be an ideal way to get to know and better understand what issues have been found and also ensuring you are buying the vessel with the rose-tinted glasses removed.