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| Haul Out Survey |
| A vessel should never be bought without an
out-of-the-water survey. As it is, interiors of most hulls are only intermittently (about
30%) accessible due to framing, bulkheads, plumbing, tanks and assorted fixed
installations.
Haul-outs
can be brief by having an exterior inspection of the hull, through-hull
fittings and running gear. The remainder of the inspection would take
place after the vessel is returned (launched) to the water.
In other situations
(usually with smaller boats) the surveyor can perform most of the interior inspection
before the haul-out, making it possible to keep the vessel in the crane's slings for the
outer examination -- with a prompt return to the water. But in most cases, vessels are
hauled out for survey and left out for compliance of recommendations and bottom painting.
While a quick haul & launch is usually an expense saving consideration, other options
can sometimes be found through 'specials' offered by different yards. Check with your
surveyor for 'specials' he might know of. Yards can run behind schedule, so timing and
coordination between the seller (who usually brings the vessel to the boat yard), the
yard's foreman and your surveyor are important.
In-the-water surveys are often acceptable
in cases of insurance updates and special owner-requested maintenance updates, etc.
When inspecting a vessel visually:
The hull & rudder need to be sounded to find a
general and basic hull laminate integrity.
- The CF # should be legible and to code, and the year
sticker current.
- Compare HIN# (Hull Identification Number) with the
DMV registration.
- The surfaces should be checked for inconsistencies (keel
seam, rudder fit, bow sprit, Anchor System, swimstep, trimtabs
system).
- Examination of the propeller shaft fit - "cutlass
type bearing" loose or tight etc.
- Discoloration of metal through and/or corrosive activities
(throughull fittings, Seacocks ball or gate valves).
- Discoloration (cooking) of bottom paint (possible
electrolytic activity of the paint) around and near metal.
- Zinc position, conditions and appearance (bonding to the
mounted area, age, active or inactive).
- Trueness of propeller blades is very important so the
cutlass type bearing will not wear out and/or cause inefficiency in higher RPM.
wilmingtonpropeller@mindspring.com
- Plastic throughull fittings
(cracked, sun deteriorated etc.)
- Identify extent and stage of blisters.
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Matt Schulz, Marine Surveyor
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