Pre-Purchase Condition & Valuation Survey

The C3 Marine Services Pre-Purchase Condition & Valuation Survey is the most comprehensive category of inspection.  When purchasing a used or NEW vessel, this is the inspection survey recommended throughout the marine industry.  With this survey, the condition and overall operation of the vessel will be examined.  We will inspect the vessel for everything from structural integrity to its cosmetic appearance, from the on-board systems and overall maintenance to sea trial.  It is generally recommended the vessel be inspected in the water and then hauled-out for an inspection of the wetted surface and underwater machinery.

An assessment of the vessels Fair Market Value will be completed through a process of comparable vessels on the market, actual recent sales of comparable vessels, multiple industry value guides, industry depreciation scales and factoring the vessels present condition.

Remember, when we are performing this survey for you, we work only for you, we report only to you and no one else.  We are here to protect your interest.

Insurance / Financial Survey

The request for an “Insurance Survey” is generally made when your insurance carrier requires a survey of the vessel they insure or have received an application for.  The insurance company requires the survey to determine the acceptability of the risk.  They are interested in the vessels structural integrity, the vessels compliance with marine industry safety standards and the vessels condition as it is related to its fair market value.

The Financial Survey is very similar to the Insurance Survey except it is generally made when your financial institution requires a survey of the vessel due to their financial interest.  Bank examiners are interested in verification of their collateral, its condition and value.

If C3 Marine Services surveys your vessel prior to your purchase and you proceed with the purchase, additional copies are made available for you to present to your insurance carrier and/or to your financial institution.

If your insurance carrier or financial institution is requesting a survey of your boat prior to their renewal of the policy or continuation of the loan, C3 Marine Services will promptly and thoroughly survey your vessel and provide you with the necessary copies of the Report of  Survey for you to present to your insurance carrier and/or your financial institution.

The C3 Marine Services Guarantee.

C3 Marine Services surveys have always met and exceeded the expectations of the insurance carriers and financial institutions we’ve dealt with.  Therefore we guarantee that our Pre-Purchase Condition and Valuation Surveys and our Insurance / Financial Surveys will be accepted by your insurance and/or finance company for underwriting purposes or you will receive a full refund of your survey fee.

Insurance and finance companies require specific detailed information when determining the acceptability of a risk.  With C3 Marine Services, you know that your surveyors work meets and exceeds insurance and finance company requirements.

Should your survey report be denied, simply ask your underwriter to send a letter to the address below stating the reason for denial.

This guarantee covers acceptance of the survey report only.  It does not guarantee that your vessel will qualify for insurance or financing.

Vessel Appraisal Inspection

A vessel appraisal is often needed for finance issues, estate settlements, donations, and legal cases.  At C3 Marine Services, we conduct an on-board inspection to survey the present condition of the vessel.  Assessment of the vessels Fair Market Value, Replacement Cost, and/or its Liquidation / Auction or Distressed Sale Value will be completed through a process of comparable vessels on the market, actual recent sales of comparable vessels, multiple industry value guides, industry depreciation scales and factoring the vessels present condition.

A C3 Marine Services Appraisal is conducted to The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Accident / Damage Survey & Report

It happens.  Storms pop-up, mistakes are made by everybody—even the best boater, and equipment fails.  C3 Marine Services is prepared to quickly arrive on the scene and is qualified to assess the extent of damage, recommend repairs, estimate repair cost and if requested, endeavor to determine the probably cause.

Hull & Deck Inspection Only  (Moisture & Structral analysis.)

The need for a full Condition and Valuation Survey of the vessel and all its systems may not always be necessary.  However, vessels with cored hulls and/or decks, high-tech laminated construction layers and/or low weight structural engineering components should have a periodic inspection to ensure the owner’s peace of mind that the vessel continues to be fit and serviceable.  If a problem is caught early, it will likely be easily repaired but if it is neglected, the repair cost may result in a constructive total loss or worse.

A C3 Marine Services Hull & Deck Inspection is a focused survey utilizing State-Of-Art equipment and extensive experience to locate potential moisture incursion, delaminating layers and stringer, grid & bulkhead condition.  Only non-destructive testing will be conducted.

Engine Oil and Fluids Analysis

An engine oil analysis is a simple test to help determine the condition of a boat’s engine.  It is inexpensive and convenient tool to help determine the condition of the engine without having a mechanic disassemble the engine.  Test results can help determine if there are any coolant leaks, excessive wear in metal parts, and detect the presence of contaminants such as silicon, sodium, and water.  The viscosity of the oil is also tested to determine if it is within correct parameters.

A small amount of oil is drawn from the engine after the engine has been run up to temperature to insure that the oil and any contaminants are thoroughly mixed.  The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis and results are usually obtained in a few days.

Any readings outside of normal parameters may call for further investigation, or may be a reason to walk away from a potential boat purchase.

The best time to take an oil sample test is at an oil change, when the oil requires changing, which is almost never at the same time as the survey.  However, the cost of the test may well be worth it.  Engine oil analysis is also helpful for boat owners to monitor their engine’s long-term condition.  By taking a sample at the end of the season each year, a base line is established for an engine’s condition, and any variances can quickly be detected.  Having annual oil sample test results is also a good sales tool when it comes time to sell your boat.

The C3 Marine Engine Oil and Fluids Analysis service will collect the fluids on a one-time for baseline and /or on a scheduled basis for continued monitoring and analysis of the engine and cooling systems.

Preparing For The Survey

Time and additional expenses can be saved by preparing the vessel for inspection and making her more accessible.

Arrange to present a clean, shipshape boat and have all papers and miscellaneous gear ready.  If applicable, you will need to make arrangements with the marina to haul the vessel for bottom inspection and a captain for sea trial.  Lockers and cabin areas should be cleared of all miscellaneous gear and personal belongings.  The surveyor should never be asked to prepare a boat for inspection.  The surveyor may request minor dismantling of interior ceilings, headliners, floorings, etc. in order to gain access to suspect areas.  Random inspection of fasteners on wood boats below the water line could be examined for condition.  Any dismantling and re-installation of these parts should be performed by qualified personnel, which is the responsibility of the person ordering the survey.

 

Haul-out inspection of hull and underwater machinery.

In the water inspection prior to haul out.

Launch after out-of-the-water inspection.

Inspection of hull and underwater machinery revealed a badly corroded prop shaft that “nobody” was aware of.

 

Clean, fresh paint.  But what lies beneath?.

Your vessel will be inspected for compliance with the boating safety standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), U.S. Coast Guard requirements and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR’s).

Although ALL vessels are inspected for compliance with the above standards, there are different categories of surveys, each with a specific purpose that will meet your requirements and exceed your expectations.  Please refer to the list of surveys below for further detail of each.

¨ Pre-Purchase Condition & Valuation Survey

¨ Insurance / Financial Survey

¨ C3 Marine Guarantee

¨ Accident / Damage Survey & Report

¨ Vessel Appraisal Inspection

¨ Hull & Deck Inspection Only. (Moisture & structural analysis.)

¨ Engine oil & fluids analysis.

¨