Frequently asked questions....

How much does a survey cost?

While cost should not be your ONLY concern in picking a surveyor, most of us have budgets and can only afford so much. But do realize that there are differences in education, experience and abilities between surveyors. Look at their resumes and judge for yourself. Make sure their claims are documented. What you cannot afford is buying a boat with expensive problems that were not discovered in the survey!

Click on the SURVEYS button for prices.

 

Why should I use Marinetech Surveys instead of another surveyor?

Check my qualifications and notice that my claims are documented... not just claims. (You can follow a link to my claims of affiliation and certifications to check for validity). My experience with boats and surveying extends to 30-years now. And it is not just book knowledge but also thousands of hours on the water in the charter, sailing instruction, engineering and survey business. You may notice that my education and experience is well rounded and complete.

 

 

How well does Marinetech check engines?

While we make no claims of being engine mechanics, engines are checked in a General Marine Survey for visual problems such as leaks, tell-tale rust marks, and other clues. Temperature measurements of different components are taken with a digital pyrometer and compared to typical readings. We can do compression testing and oil analysis to go a step further (see the SURVEY page).

One of the most important checks is the sea trial where we go full throttle and check for top end speed and RPM compairing with researched data.

On large diesels we do recommend that you invest in a seperate Marine Engine Survey.

 

Should we have a compression check done on the motor?

I would abosolutely love to take some extra money from you! But honestly, if we can do max RPM and wide open throttle speed as researched, then in my opinion, we have power (and compression). Is this statement infallible? Of course not. It's just a matter of how much do you want to do (and pay for) in order to have the boat checked out? This is a personal thing and something for you to decide.

And I'm sure you understand that you can get a factory trained mechanic to look at the engine for a few hours and check everything BUT, he will still not give you a guarantee!

To sum it up, it's up to you and what you feel comfortable doing.

If the boat/engine do not perform according to researched data, I will be the first to recommend further testing.

 

How do we check for expensive fuel tank leaks?

Marinetech uses an electronic sniffer that actually checks for trace gas molecules to detect leaks in gasoline, diesel tanks. We also use the same instrument to detect propane gas in the cabin.

 

How do we check for moisture in the hull or deck core?

Marinetech uses the Electrophysics GRP-33 moisture meter to detect moisture. It is the most popular and reliable moisture meter in the industry.

 

How do I prepare for a Pre-purchase Marine Survey?

Try to get seller to empty out storage areas and not have things stored on top of compartments the surveyor would want to inspect. Any compartments where access is impeded by stores will not be checked so it is to your advantage to do what you can in having a clean, easy to inspect boat ready for the surveyor.

Try to attend the survey so you can see what the surveyor did and didn't do.

Try to have seller there to assist with questions, sea trial, and other things that only the owner would know.

 

How to prepare for an Insurance Survey?

Try to have all the safety equipment available and ready such as unexpired flares, life preservers, etc. The less safety problems the surveyor finds, the easier it will be for you to get insurance.

 

I have never bought a boat before with enough value to justify the expense of a survey. How does this all work?

See "How to buy a boat" in the ARTICLES page.

 

What does Marinetech do in a survey?

See that section in the SURVEY page.

 

What geographical areas do you cover?

Long Island and eastern NYC and St Thomas are all covered at the regular survey price in season. Other areas may incur a travel surcharge. Call or email for details.

 

Up to what size boat do we survey?

Charles Avalos is licensed by the US Coast Guard as Master up to 100 tons. This corresponds up to about a 100-foot vessel.

 

Why do so many other surveyors not list their prices on their websites?

Good question! You stumped me... I really don't know. Some claim that it depends on the age of boat and location. But wouldn't you, the reader, want to have an idea before wasting your time? Maybe they consider themselves good salesmen and want to tell you personally?

We are up front with our prices as with everything else. We may not be the best salesmen but we consider ourselves very knowledgable in Marine Surveying.

 

You can contact Charles Avalos at 631 704 4525 for more info or email at

info@marinetechnology.info

 

 

 

 

 

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