Our services include the following types of inspections. All paperwork will be completed and forwarded within a maximum of 48 hours and usually within 24 hours. :

Condition & Value Survey: A visual survey conducted with limited testing of systems. The purpose of such an inspection is to determine any existing or potential hazardous conditions aboard the vessel. Areas of importance include but are not limited to the structural integrity of the hull & decks, visual condition of engines, electrical systems, fuel systems, steering, rigging, safety systems and equipment.

The vessel is inspected for general seaworthiness and to verify compliance with standard boat building practices, ABYC standards & recommended practices (American Boat & Yacht Council), NFPA 302 standards for pleasure & commercial motor craft (National Fire protection Association), and the United States Coast Guard's code of federal regulations (CFR's).

The report will document the general seaworthiness of a vessel while also assigning a market value for the purpose of providing an underwriter with this information prior to underwriting an insurance policy. The report is also used by lending Institutions for the purpose of determining how much to lend toward the purchase of a used vessel.

The Condition and Value survey can be performed either in or out of the water (in most cases) and is usually requested by most insurance companies after the vessel reaches 10 years in age, or by most lenders prior to approving any loan. After the initial 10 year requirement re-inspection is usually requested every 3 to 5 years.

Pre-Purchase Survey: An in depth inspection of the vessel which includes the requirements and considerations of a Condition and Value survey but also provides a more comprehensive overview of the structural condition, mechanical condition and cosmetic condition of the vessel.

A structural analysis includes viewing the vessel out of the water and performing a percussion test to the hull bottom and a core moisture assessment to determine if any delamination or cored moisture problems exist. The running gear is also inspected at this time. Further analysis is conducted on deck using the same methods. Further analysis is performed by viewing all secondary hull supports as the hull compartments are opened to view machinery & systems.

Full testing of all systems will also be conducted and their general condition, performance and output will be noted.

A sea trial and engine diagnostics will be performed on gasoline powered engines. Both diesel engines and gasoline powered engines can also have oil samples drawn for analysis at an independent fluid analysis lab (see additional services). Outboard engines are compression tested at no additional charge.

For those vessels with sails and rigging, a rig inspection will be performed from the deck level and if condition warrants, the client will be referred to a qualified rigger for a further in depth inspection including those components that are aloft.

The report will be issued with all recommendations and suggestions listed in a clear and concise manner with any insurance or safety concerns highlighted with an asterik (*).

The Appraisal Survey: The appraisal survey follows a similar format to the Condition & Value Survey above and is used to establish fair market value for use in various legal situations or when the owner opts to donate the vessel to a charitable organization qualified by the IRS under section 501 (C) (3) of the IRS code. If the appraisal is done for donation purposes I will arrange and fill out the necessary IRS Form 8283 (Non Cash Charitable Contributions Form) and include it with the survey.

Per-Qualification Survey: Available and utilized mainly by out-of-town buyers and individuals with limited time who are researching the used boat market. The Pre-Qualification survey is a visual walk-thru inspection of the requested vessel with high quality digital photos included. An e-mail (including photos) is sent to the client indicating the general condition of the vessel and offering advice on whether the vessel should be considered for a further Pre-Purchase Survey. Usually we agree to allocate a portion of the cost of this service to the cost of the Pre-Purchase Survey.

Telephone Consultation: All clients are encouraged to take advantage of our free of charge unlimited telephone & e-mail consultation services. Consultation is available on other used and new vessels and on any commonly employed marine systems. We can also refer you to a selective group of competent, courteous and qualified delivery captains, vessel transport services, and instructional captains.

Compression Testing (gas engines only): The standard pre-purchase survey includes a drop down cylinder test on all gasoline engines where such testing is possible. We also perform compression testing at an additional fee with the cost of this service contingent upon the number of cylinders and the engine installation. A cost for this service can be determined during our initial consultation. Usually the fee is $125.00 per engine. The current vessel owner must grant permission for us to perform this service.

Out-of-Water Engine Start (For Diesel Sailboat Engines Only): Over the years I have had many clients ask me to perform this type of service to determine the initial running condition of the engine prior to paying the costs to have a dry docked vessel moved and commissioned for sea trial. Due to this demand, I have devised a method of delivering and regulating a domestic water source to the engine so that it can run for an extended period of time. This method also allows for the easy re-winterization of the engine at the conclusion of the service. The fee for this service is $125.00 and the present owner must grant permission.

Fluid Analysis: Fluid samples can be drawn from gasoline or diesel engines (oil, transmission fluid, and coolant) for testing at an independent fluid analysis lab. The results of the testing will be communicated directly from the lab to the customer. The fee for each sample is $85.00 including postage and handling. Results are usually available within one week.

Consultation and further analysis of the results by McGowan Marine Surveying is also available free of charge.

I also have the ability to combine aspects of the above survey formats to provide you with a custom tailored survey to fit any special needs that may arise.