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How Often Do I Need a Marine Survey in Baltimore?

The majority of people are aware of the value of receiving a Baltimore marine survey when purchasing a used boat. Only a small number of boat owners, however, think of engaging a pro for a follow-up marine survey after taking ownership of the vessel. This is due to the fact that for the majority of consumers, a survey is only necessary when buying a pre-owned boat. This cannot be further from the truth.

You still need to know the precise state of your boat even if you give it the best care. Getting frequent marine surveys is crucial for this reason. But how often do I need a marine survey? There isn’t a simple answer to this. This is due to the fact that a variety of factors will determine how frequently you should update the survey report.

A maritime survey should typically be performed at least once every five years. You’ll have a clear understanding of your boat’s condition after doing this. All in all, it is important to remember that not all boats require an update to their survey report after five years. You might need to update the survey report sooner if you have made significant changes to your vessel. This should be done in order for the survey report to accurately reflect both the current value of your boat and its new condition.

The frequency of survey report updates will also depend on the type of boat you possess. You might need to have a survey performed more frequently if you own a wooden boat. To evaluate the boat more accurately, the survey needs to be conducted out of water. Wooden boats need to be inspected at least once every two to three years. This is mainly because wooden vessels are more vulnerable to damage.

The question of how often do I need a marine survey will also depend on what you need the survey for. Even though some lenders and insurers will accept a survey report that is five years old, your boat’s condition and age may compel them to ask for a more recent assessment. For instance, some insurance firms accept survey reports that are four to five years old. But you must get a more recent maritime survey completed if you want to receive the best coverage. You will gain more knowledge about your boat and be able to receive better coverage with a survey report that is 12 to 18 months old.

As you can see, a lot of things determine how frequently you should get a marine survey done. You only need to confirm that the survey is carried out by a qualified marine surveyor in Baltimore. Make sure you obtain the insurer’s list of items that must be inspected for insurance purposes.

Baltimore Marine Survey

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Baltimore Marine Survey – Types of Marine Surveys

Are you in the process of buying a pre-owned boat? Do you want to know how much your boat is worth? Do you need a survey done to help with boat insurance or to get financing? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you definitely need a Baltimore marine survey. Marine survey services are offered by many people all over the state of Maryland. The problem is not every surveyor you hire will offer the quality services you need. That is why you have to be careful before choosing a surveyor. But is a marine survey worth it? This is the question this post is here to answer. We will be doing so by taking a look at the importance of various types of boat surveys.

Condition and value survey

This type of survey is requested mostly when buying a boat. It is the most comprehensive type of boat inspection. It is meant to offer a client an informed and professional opinion on the condition of a vessel as well as its fair market value.

This type of marine survey includes an in-depth visual inspection of the vessel’s structural integrity, safety equipment as well as all miscellaneous onboard systems including sanitation, propulsion, electrical, and navigation equipment. In many cases, the survey will also include an out-of-water hull inspection as well as a sea trial.

With that being said, is a marine survey worth it? The answer is a resounding yes. At the end of the survey, you will be provided with a detailed survey report. As a buyer, you can use the information in the survey report to determine if the boat you are after is in good condition. The survey report will also inform you of the fair market value of the vessel. You can use this information during negotiations. For boat owners, the survey report helps them know if there is an issue with the boat and also helps them get financing or get approved for boat insurance.

Appraisal inspection

Do you want to know how much your boat is worth? If you do, the input of a marine surveyor will come in handy. Part of a boat inspection is to determine the fair market value of a boat. An appraisal may also be needed for estate settlements, financing, legal cases, and donations. An appraisal is less in-depth. The main purpose is to determine the fair market value of the boat.

Damage survey

Were you involved in an accident? A marine survey will help determine the extent of damage your boat incurred. The survey report will also include recommended repairs, estimated cost of repairs, and the probable cause of the accident.

There are many types of boat surveys. The type of survey you get will depend on what you need a survey for. All you have to do is find a dependable marine surveyor to work with.

Baltimore Marine Survey

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Marine Surveyor Baltimore – Should You Buy One or Two Engine Boat?

If you are a boater like many others, you may experience the “two-foot fever”. This is a gloomy condition that makes you imagine how much happier you would be if your boat was two feet longer. Well, the feeling continues even after you purchase the boat you believed would end your 2-foot fever, and soon the boats you are considering are 30 feet or longer. At this point, you may need to choose between one engine and two. Needless to say, it is always good to run this idea by an experienced marine surveyor Baltimore. The boat surveyor is not only there to help you evaluate the condition of a vessel but also to offer expert advice. You can ask the surveyor any question you may have.

Back to the issue at hand, it is a tough decision to choose between a single and a two-engine boat. This is because the choice has numerous variables including maintenance cost, fuel consumption, and a range of other expenses. The main issue, however, is how your experience will be once you get on the water.

For most boaters, having twin engines makes more sense for boats that run in the ocean or larger water bodies. This is because the twin-engine offers more power and control. However, if your vessel is less than 30 feet, getting a boat with two engines may not be worth it. The use of twin engines starts at 26 feet or thereabout for outboard-powered vessels.

One thing your marine surveyor Baltimore will tell you about a twin-engine is that you will not have any problem maneuvering with it around the docks. This is more so if the engine has a propeller that rotates outward. While a single-engine boat with a dual, counter-rotating drive is good, it is not as handy for the dock because it tends to push the boat faster at idle speeds.

The beauty of a twin-engine boat is that it operates with less load. This means you will need less RPM to achieve the desired cruising speed. For fuel economy, there are some vessels with fuel-injected small blocks which help achieve better fuel mileage than a single large big block. Needless to say, twin outboards will definitely consume more fuel eventually than a single engine.

When considering boats in the size range that requires making the decision between single and twin engines, it is always wise to involve a marine surveyor in Baltimore. The surveyor will make you aware of all the facts you need to know before making the final decision. The input of a surveyor can save you from a lot of frustration.

Marine Surveyor Baltimore