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FAQ
Pre-Purchase Survey Questions:
What should you look for in a Surveyor?
The main credential that a Marine Surveyor needs to have is accreditation with SAMS (Society of Marine Surveyors) or certification with NAMS (National Association of Marine Surveyors). We have chosen to be a SAMS AMS (Accredited Marine Surveyor). A surveyor MUST have one of these two designations for their survey reports to be accepted by most insurance companies and banks. Aside from these designations, a surveyor should have wide-reaching experience and certification. See our Qualifications page for more information regarding our credentials.
What is a Pre-Purchase Survey?
A Pre-Purchase Survey is an inspection of a boat you intend to buy. The purpose of the inspection is to determine the vessel's condition and value (C&V) for yourself, the bank (if financing), and the insurance company (if insuring). As a purchaser, you deserve to know the extent of the boat's positive & negative features, understand what deficiencies are present, and have some confidence you are not making a poor investment.
Do I need a Pre-Purchase Survey?
Suppose you are financing or insuring your boat or intend on storing the boat at a marina or a storage facility. In that case, you will almost certainly need a Pre-Purchase inspection and report. Keep in mind, the best time to conduct a C&V / Pre-Purchase Survey is before final acceptance of the vessel. As a purchaser, you deserve to know the extent of the boat's positive & negative features, understand what deficiencies are present, and have some confidence you are not making a poor investment.
How much does a Pre-Purchase / C&V inspection cost?
It varies from boat to boat, and you will need to contact us so we can provide you with a custom quote for your inspection.
How do I book an inspection with Miami Marine Survey?
You will need to contact us to obtain a quote and determine which day suits all parties for an inspection. Once we have this, we will send you an online work order to sign (and sometimes require a deposit). Once this is completed, your inspection is booked/confirmed. A signed work order is a requirement to inspect any vessel.
What does a Pre-Purchase / C&V inspection entail?
A survey requires inspecting the vessel in and out of the water and on a sea trial. We will also examine the vessel's hull, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, electronics, trailer (if present), and anything attached or included with the boat. Mechanical system inspection may consist of computer diagnostics and oil laboratory analysis, or a 3rd party engine surveyor may be present (see below). We will then perform a comprehensive valuation study of the vessel and provide you with a full Survey Report.
How long does a survey normally take?
We do no more than one survey per day. Surveys can range from 4 to 12 hours or span over multiple days. Contact us for a time estimate for the vessel you are interested in surveying. Keep in mind, we will never rush an inspection. If time constraints are present for any party involved in a survey, we need to discuss these prior to the day of inspection.
Do you perform survey inspections on weekends?
We have no problem performing an inspection on weekends, but the logistics of marinas and haul-out facilities typically make this impossible. Haul-out facilities are closed or will charge double for weekend haul-out services. Boat ramps and dry storage marinas are also typically inundated with weekend traffic, making inspection in these locations difficult. If you wish to have an inspection performed on a weekend, we will need to work out the details in advance.
My insurance company is asking me to complete a survey to renew my insurance coverage. What is an Insurance Survey, and why do I need one?
Your insurance company/underwriters will likely require you to provide an updated Insurance Survey every 3 – 5 years or after a refit or significant damage. The insurance company must clarify if the survey they require is a wet / in-water inspection or needs a dry / haul-out inspection. An insurance survey is essentially a means by which the insurance company can confirm the vessel's value and ensure that the vessel does not have any underlying issues that may cause or contribute to a loss or increase risk.
What is the difference between a Pre-Purchase & Insurance Survey?
A Pre-Purchase / C&V inspection aims to identify any and all issues aboard the vessel. It will identify and explain service-related recommendations to assist you in your purchase and understanding the vessel's total condition and characteristics, as well as providing all of the safety and valuation requirements of your insurance or financial institution. An insurance survey focuses on the needs of your insurance and financial institution, including safety & condition related items, and provides the same valuation study as the Pre-Purchase inspection. As a general practice, the detail and service-related items in a Pre-Purchase survey are not necessary and can confuse/complicate an insurance renewal survey.
Do Pre-Purchase & Insurance Surveys cost the same?
No. Pre-Purchase inspections are more work, cost more to conduct, and include testing such as oil sampling. Insurance surveys can also cost more or less depending on what the insurance company requires (full C&V, wet inspection, dry inspection, etc.)
How long will it take to receive my Survey Report?
In Almost all cases, it will take 24 to 48 hours to get you a completed Survey Report. Variables such as holidays, weekends, oil lab results, or follow-up inspections may affect when we can issue a report. We will always keep you informed of the timeline for completing and sending your finalized report. If you have contractual or other deadlines please make us aware of these prior to booking the survey.
How do you determine the vessel's value?
We utilize research materials such as paid periodical sources, cash sale/previous sale comparables, listed comparables, reported sales prices for vessels and hired consultants to obtain valuation data. We consider calculations and depreciation using industry-accepted and court-tested methods to calculate the ACV (Actual Cash Value). This ACV is what insurance companies and banks rely on to confirm the value. The value is also essential for your consideration in knowing what kind of a deal you are getting on the boat you intend to purchase. We conduct valuation studies following Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Who owns the Survey Inspection Report once you have completed it?
You do!! We will not share or distribute any information without your expressed written consent. You have paid for the information in the survey, and you solely own it. You can and may be able to sell the report to an interested 3rd party.
Can you perform an inspection on a vessel you have previously inspected?
If we are approached to inspect a vessel we have inspected within three years, we will require a release from our previous client to share information from the previous inspection. We will also provide an option to both parties to purchase or share information (as agreed by both parties). Without client consent we will not share information.
I need an estimate for repairs you identified on the subject vessel. Is that a service you can provide?
While we can help guide you as far as the costs of repairs, it is not appropriate for a surveyor to provide a written estimate for repairs needed.
I need to have repairs conducted. Can you perform the repairs?
Survey findings and recommendations must be completely impartial, and no surveyor can or should profit from their findings. If any surveyor performs work on the vessel they have surveyed, they act unethically and profit from their findings.
Inspection Logistics – how will we conduct and what will we include with the survey?
How we will conduct a survey depends on the type of boat and storage type (listed below):
I. Trailer-stored boats
The vessel owner will trailer the vessel to the boat ramp of their choice and should not initially launch their boat. We will perform a dry inspection of the hull, machinery, and trailer. We can then launch the vessel for an in-water inspection and sea trial.
II. A vessel at a dry-storage facility
The vessel must be placed on a work rack at or before the time of inspection and should not be initially launched. We will perform a dry inspection of the hull, machinery, and trailer. We can then launch the vessel for an in-water inspection and sea trial.
III. The vessel is stored in water at a marina
The vessel's engines and generators must not be operated or turned on for 24 hours before our inspection. We must also be allowed between 1.5 to 3.5 hours in the engine compartment before leaving for the haul-out inspection. Once we complete the initial engine-compartment cold checks, we typically conduct the sea trial to and from the transport of the vessel to a haul-out facility. In-water stored vessels must be hauled out for a "Survey Haul" for one hour to inspect hull bottom, running gear, bonding, and thru-hull components.
IV. Vessels stored in-water at anchor or on a mooring field
We must be provided safe, relatively dry transport on a dinghy or other vessel to the boat, at which point the inspection is in most cases the same as any other vessel stored in the water. Efforts should be made to locate and obtain permission to use shore power capabilities at the haul-out facility so we can test the shore power systems (if present).
Who operates/captains the vessel during an inspection. Who drives the boat? Do you provide captain services to do the seatrial and transport the vessel to the haul out?
Only the vessel owner, or someone appointed by the vessel owner, must be charged with the vessel's safe care, operation, and navigation. Neither you nor Miami Marine Survey will ever provide these services for any reason.
The seller or broker for the vessel has informed me that I must obtain and pay for a captain to operate the vessel for the survey. Is this OK?
You may be required to pay for a captain depending on your agreement with the seller. You must not select the captain. The seller of the vessel must locate and choose a captain to their satisfaction in all cases. Miami Marine Survey will never determine or recommend captains to operate vessels for inspections.
What is a haul out? Is the haul out fee included in your fee? Who pays for the haul out?
A haul out inspection is a component of a survey where we will remove the vessel from the water to inspect the hull bottom. This can be done at a marina on a travel lift or on a forklift, and can also be done on a trailer at a boat ramp. Haul out inspections typically take place over an hour period, and marinas will know and understand this so long as you specify that the purpose of the haul out is for a survey. The haul out fee is never included in our survey fee. It is usually the responsibility of the vessel buyer to pay for a haul out, though you should clarify this with the broker or vessel seller/owner. Before making arrangements for a haul out, contact our office to make sure that the timing of the haul out is right. We will also make sure that the amount you are paying for the haul out is fair.
Will you make the haul out arrangements for me?
It is typically the responsibility of one of the brokers associated with the sale of the vessel to make the arrangements for the haul out. You will also likely need to give the marina your name and billing information, making it necessary for you to call them. If needed, we can make the arrangements for the haul out inspection for a $25 administrative fee. In most cases, you will have no issue quickly and conveniently making arrangements for the haul out on your own, and we can provide you with any assistance to do so free of charge.
What is a haul out? Is the haul out fee included in your fee? Who pays for the haul out?
A haul out inspection is a component of a survey where we will remove the vessel from the water to inspect the hull bottom. This can be done at a marina on a travel lift or on a forklift, and can also be done on a trailer at a boat ramp. Haul out inspections typically take place over an hour period, and marinas will know and understand this so long as you specify that the purpose of the haul out is for a survey. The haul out fee is never included in our survey fee. It is usually the responsibility of the vessel buyer to pay for a haul out, though you should clarify this with the broker or vessel seller/owner. Before making arrangements for a haul out, contact our office to make sure that the timing of the haul out is right. We will also make sure that the amount you are paying for the haul out is fair.
Will you make the haul out arrangements for me?
It is typically the responsibility of one of the brokers associated with the sale of the vessel to make the arrangements for the haul out. You will also likely need to give the marina your name and billing information, making it necessary for you to call them. If needed, we can make the arrangements for the haul out inspection for a $25 administrative fee. In most cases, you will have no issue quickly and conveniently arranging for the haul out on your own, and we can provide you with any assistance to do so free of charge.
What do your mechanical inspections include?
We perform computer diagnostics, thermal camera, boroscopy, oil laboratory analysis, coolant testing, wide-open-throttle / sea trial testing, and many other forms of tests and diagnostics. We do not perform compression testing, mechanically remove most mechanical fasteners, or change/alter the engine in any way (see below for further information).
Why don't you perform compression testing?
In 2018 we ceased performing compression testing for overwhelming liability reasons. If a pre-existing condition causing poor performance exists, the removal of ignition components during the compression test can be blamed for poor performance. Also, during the inspection, spark plugs, threading, or ignition coils can be bound, seized, or broken. Additionally, some ECM/PCM components can be improperly energized and damaged during a compression test. Miami Marine Survey, and Surveyors in general, will not and cannot ethically conduct repair work on any vessel in these circumstances. We will not act as marine mechanics or technicians. We have gone to painstaking lengths to develop and fine-tune diagnostic methods that can not cause any side-effect or damage and will not affect engine performance with minimal liability for you and us.
Is there anything that you do take apart during the inspection?
We will remove mechanical screws to gain access to panels on board. We also remove outboard lower unit drain screws to observe the oil for wear metals and water and, in some cases, remove propellers. You can contact us at any time to go through this in further detail.
Is your engine inspection limited by not disassembling or performing compression testing on engines?
As you can imagine, if we could disassemble the entire engine, we would learn more about its condition. This is not possible in the context of a survey inspection of a vessel owned by a 3rd party. In this sense, all non-invasive testing is somewhat limited by what we can reasonably do during a survey of a boat we don't own. Having dealt with this limitation for many years, we have developed means of identifying conditions without extensive disassembly and can determine what further testing may be required for your peace of mind.
Do you perform computer diagnostics?
You will need to provide us with the exact make, model, and year of the engines in the vessel so we can confirm no diagnostic issues may be present. As of 2022, we perform computer diagnostics on the following gas engine systems:
- Yamaha Outboards & Personal Watercraft (all editions)
- Mercury Verado & G3 outboards
- Suzuki Outboards
- Mercruiser Sterndrive Systems
- Mercury Racing Engines
- Crusader
- Volvo Penta Gas
- Ilmor
- Flagship Marine
- Indmar
- Marine Power
Do you perform oil laboratory analysis of gasoline and outboard engines? Is that useful?
It is generally accepted that oil sampling is more beneficial for diesel engines than gasoline engines or outboards. Over 2019 to 2021, we performed more than 80 exploratory oil samples of outboard and gas engines and conducted follow-up inspections to determine oil sampling's usefulness for these engines. When interpreted correctly, we determined that oil sampling is more valuable than many other commonly accepted tests and located significant engine problems in engines with normal engine cylinder compression readings (performed by technicians) and performance.
Do you perform computer diagnostics of diesel engines?
Currently, we can only provide computer diagnostics for Mercruiser diesel engines. You may determine that an additional engine surveyor is right for you for some inspections.
What is an engine surveyor?
An "Engine Surveyor" is a factory-certified technician, typically part of a dealership, who executes a comprehensive machinery inspection in addition to our inspection. We will typically quote a lower price if an engine surveyor is present, as our inspection will no longer include engines and engine testing, at which point we will be referred to as the "Hull Surveyor."
What is the difference between an "Engine Surveyor" and a "Hull Surveyor."
An engine surveyor's job is to inspect, perform diagnostics, and provide all testing for the onboard engines and, in most cases, generators. The hull surveyor is responsible for all other aspects of the inspection, such as the structure and hull, electrical systems, plumbing systems, electronics, and safety equipment, as well as compliance with all safety standards. The hull surveyor's report is still the report that banks and insurance companies require, though they may require copies of both the hull and engine survey reports.
Do you provide both hull and engine survey services?
We do provide both services in most cases. You should call us or review the information below to decide what is suitable for you.
How do I know when I should hire an additional engine surveyor?
- We typically do not recommend engine surveyors for outboard boats, gasoline engines, or two-stroke or mechanical diesel engines. Suppose we identify problems on these engines during the inspection requiring disassembly or further inspection—in many cases, the vessel seller will pay for these follow-up inspections.
- For larger vessels with modern computerized diesel engines, many diagnostic processes require the factory computer to perform. In some of these cases, hiring an engine surveyor with the capabilities to perform these tests may be advantageous. Many engine surveyors advertise these tests and do not perform them. You may require our assistance to determine what testing is needed and to confirm that the engine surveyor of your choice will perform the required testing.
If I hire an engine surveyor, do you still inspect the engines?
Suppose you do choose to hire both a hull and engine surveyor. In that case, we will also perform a safety inspection of the machinery and monitor/review the engine surveyor's extent of examination, findings, and report.
Insurance Claim Questions
Something has happened to my boat! What should I do?
Before contacting anyone else, contact your insurance company to notify them of the loss. The next focus should be on documenting everything connected to the damage. Photos, witness information, videos, etc. should be taken as soon as possible and will help build a strong claim. Contact us to schedule a free claim consultation in which we take a preliminary look at the vessel and your insurance policy.
What does your initial free assessment include?
Once you call us, we will schedule a certified surveyor to visit the vessel and meet with you as soon as possible. The surveyor will make a short inspection (one hour or less) of the vessel, and will also make a short review of your policy. The purpose of the assessment is to consider the cause and extent of the damage to the vessel, as well as educate you regarding your policy. You can then consider your options, and make a decision for yourself if our firm is right for you. We will not provide any written reports or make in depth or expert assessments during the initial visit.
What kind of public adjusting claims does Miami Marine Survey and Public Yacht Adjusters accept?
While other public adjusters split their focus between residential water, storm, mold, and fire damage, we dedicate our entire focus to the marine industry. We will help you with new claims, ongoing claims with an unfair payout, supplemental claims for closed cases, and denied claims.
Who will be taking care of my claim?
We are a local small business, so you can be confident you have direct access to your marine expert and public adjuster. While other public adjusting firms may have experts on their disconnected outsourced team whom you never interact with, we have the experts themselves communicate with you. We are public adjusters, past insurance company adjusters, and marine experts all in one tight-knit team. We work closely with you and will never pass your claim off to other firms or adjusters.
What will you do as my public adjuster?
We deal directly with your insurance company, handle all the research, perform all damage assessments, supply and outsource forensic investigating and testing, reporting, and advocate on your behalf so you can claim what you deserve stress free. We have extensive knowledge and experience with local repair and service facilities. We will not only explain and guide you through the insurance claim process but also guide you through understanding the damage to your vessel. Most insurance company adjusters have no knowledge of the marine industry and therefore determine your payout with little research and evidence. We will fight back with years of knowledge and hard facts.
What experience and credentials do you have?
Our team is led by a S.A.M.S. Accredited Marine Surveyor, I.A.M.I. Certified Marine Investigator, and public adjuster with 25 years of boatbuilding and marine experience, a decade as a marine surveyor, and years of experience processing marine claims and providing expert assistance to attorneys. We understand the process and the details of what a successful claim requires. Click Here for a complete list of our qualifications.