What is a Pre- Purchase Marine Survey?

This comprehensive inspection is strongly advised when purchasing a new or used vessel. The purpose of this marine survey is to provide the buyer with the necessary tools to make informed and balanced decisions regarding the vessel and to evaluate its general condition and overall operation prior to purchase.

The pre-purchase marine survey report is specifically tailored to provide a clear and realistic assessment of the vessel. It includes a detailed breakdown of recommendations made by the marine surveyor, which are clearly graded as being essential, recommended or advisory. This can be a useful  tool to negotiate specific repairs or price adjustments with the vendor as well as serving as a maintenance and repair checklist post purchase.

Please email me for a sample Marine Survey Report

This marine survey can also include a sea trial and the buyer is strongly encouraged to attend.  At the conclusion of the inspection, a debrief  is conducted by the marine surveyor to go over the findings and to answer any questions whilst still aboard the vessel.

The scope of this marine survey includes, but is not restricted to, the following principal areas:

• Identifying the vessel and its major components by using hull, registration and serial numbers where available.

• Identifying any defects, damage and previous repairs where visible by non destructive methods.

• Evaluating the structural integrity of the hull (internal and exterior), deck and superstructure.

• Reporting on the condition of the mast spars and rigging from deck level using binoculars. 

• Sails will  be raised and unfurled during sea trial, any sails bagged below may be inspected ashore if conditions are suitable

• Reporting on the machinery installation and the condition of the engine(s) as far as can be ascertained from their operation during sea trial and basin tests.

• Report on the installation of the fuel, LPG and water systems including tankage and plumbing.

• Report on the electrical installation and operation, both AC and DC.

• Report on the Navigation systems and their operation as far as is practicable.

• Fire and safety equipment are checked.

Our pre-purchase marine survey report is accepted by financial institutions and can be used to obtain insurance cover.

Found a Yacht in Greece, ready to move to the next stage, I can help you. Drop me an email with the Yachts details and location and I will get straight back to you with a price and timescale. 

I will assist you through the whole purchase process and beyond to assure you the best possible Ownership Experience.

Buying a Yacht in Greece?

 

OSMOSIS Check

With the introduction of higher quality isophthalic and vinyl ester resins in the production of GRP boats, osmosis damage to newer boat models has become less common. Nevertheless the risk is still a concern for many owners or potential buyers of used boats.

A careful and recurring inspection of the hull as part of a survey can reveal weak points in the osmosis protection of a hull and thus avoid expensive renovation cases in good time.

For this purpose, we use high-quality moisture measuring devices, specifically designed for FRP testing, as well as active thermal imaging technics in case of suspected Osmoses presence.

Just a heads up for readers. I will be in Athens and the surrounding area from the 28th of July 2021. If you have your eye on a Yacht in this location drop me a quick request at steventruss1@aol.com

Gibsea 422 Yacht for Sale and Survey in Leros Greece

This French built 1993 Gibsea 422 Sloop. Designed to eat up the miles shorthanded, and built by Gilbert Marine (FRA), and designed by Joubert-Nivelt. In common with other Gib’seas of the time, fittings are lightweight. She is light and easy to handle and a good family coastal cruiser.

Amel Maramu for Survey and Seatrial in Leros, Greece

I am back in sunny Leros for a week! 

Todays Survey assignment was for Pre-Purchase which also includes a Valuation and a full Sea trial. 

Renowned as one of the most perfect cruising yachts ever created, the Amel Maramu and her big sister the Supermaramu (which I have also Surveyed) have all the features that one could possibly wish for to explore the most remote corners of the world in safety and comfort. 

The centre cockpit provides a well-protected area with a large amount of space to relax, dine and to keep the skipper company underway. It is fitted with removable clears and sunshades to cater for all sort of weather.

With a short draft for a boat of this size at only 6'5", she is ideal for tidal areas or for sailing amongst reefs, while her keel is still substantial enough to give her very good tracking ability and pointing remarkably high when sailing upwind. 

This jobs all about Island Hopping!

Inside, the Amel’s magnificent skills and attention to detail are visible everywhere. The timberwork and joinery is exquisite. The wide-open salon centres around a versatile table with wings on either side that can be lifted to accommodate more guests, each side seating 4-5 people comfortably. 

Storage is exceptional throughout and will easily rival a 60’ cruising yacht. The 2-cabins / 2-bathroom layout is perfect to give the owners plenty of privacy and for their guests to also have a little ‘apartment’ of their own forward, with a door separating their cabin, wardrobe and head area from the rest of the boat.  

A very large quarter berth in the salon has a swing-out backrest that is hinged in a way to become a comfortable lee-sheet, making this berth an ideal spot to rest between watches at sea. 

The galley is very large and designed in a way to be safe to use in all conditions. As with the rest of the boat, storage is abundant and well-thought of , so to have room for everything you need on a long voyage without cluttering the boat.

The aft cabin is exceptionally large for a boat of this size, with a proper queen size berth, huge amount of storage, very good headroom and it’s own access to the ensuite head / shower area.

Survey conclusion and review: 

All Amels, since 1967, have been built with Amel designed biaxial fiberglass cloth. This is a flat woven fiberglass cloth that is much stronger in sheer and tension than conventional mat and woven roving laminates.

The hull is moulded in one piece incorporating one piece/non-spliced lengths of biaxial cloth running from bulwark, down through the keel/centreline, and up to the opposite bulwark. In the same fashion the next series of laminates run from the bow lengthwise to the stern, again, employing one piece/non-spliced length of biaxial cloth.

The deck assembly is built in a similar fashion. While the hull is a sold fiberglass laminate with no core, the deck assembly employs a core of vertical end grain balsa in strategic horizontal areas to enhance stiffness and is insulation from heat and noise. There are also substrates of "Iron Wood" in the deck assembly where cleats and the windlass are installed to easily accommodate the increased compression and shearing loads in the foredeck.

After all the structural assemblies are completely installed, the separately completed deck assembly is joined to the hull, (again, while it is still in the mould) with six layers of the same biaxial cloth used in the primary lamination, around the entire hull to deck interface. 

What is accomplished, effectively, is the elimination of a conventional hull to deck joint. The hull and deck are married with a homogeneous fiberglass matrix, which insures a strong and lee free hull and deck join for the entire life of the vessel.

Found an Amel Yacht in Greece and need help? 

Drop me a message at steventruss1@aol.com

 

Hanse 445 Pre-sale and Survey Review

Todays assignment was a Pre-Purchase Survey on this 2011 model Hanse 445. They are extremely popular these Judel / Vrolijk designed aft cockpit cruising yachts. 

Not like a bespoke built yacht, but a spacious and comfortable cruiser that sails well, offers good value and does not need an army to handle it! 

I was not very impressed with the furniture inside the yacht. More of a domestic type fit- out you would see in your house, so it would be interesting to see how the interior holds up in a seawater environment. 

Fountaine Pajot 48 Catamaran Survey - Sea Trial and Review

Todays assignment was in Lefkada and a Pre- Purchase Survey and Sea trial on this Fountaine Pajot 48 Catamaran

Its worth watching the video below to see how they build their hulls. We used the same technology in New Zealand when we were building light weight racers. 

 

Some video of the sea trials. An hours fast sail from Preveza to Lefkada for the 'Haul Out' and then an hour back. 

Sea trials were conducted to measure the vessel's performance and general seaworthiness. Testing of the vessel's speed, manoeuvrability, equipment and safety features are also conducted. 

Beneteau 57 2004 for Survey

Todays assignment in Preveza was an Insurance Survey on this 2004 model Beneteau 57. She was fitted with every conceivable extra from air con to washing machine and maintained to a high standard.

With large fuel and water tank capacities she is ready to go long distance cruising anywhere in the world or around the Mediterranean.

The hull is solid GRP with balsa rib bands an a structural hull liner bonded and laminated to the hull.
Deck is balsa sandwich for rigidity, weight saving and thermal sound insulation.

Stripped out ready for Survey. 

Yanmar 4LHA  4 cylinder 4 stroke engine of 160 h.p. fitted with 2 alternators 1 x 24 volt 80 amp 1 X 12 volt 80 amp. 

 Folding Max Prop through a 40 mm stainless steel shaft.

 

List of Yacht Surveyors working in Athens, Lefkada, Preveza, Leros Greece

We will be in Preveza from then 20th May 2021 for 10 days carrying out a number of inspections and still have a few slots available. Please contact me at your earliest to discuss your requirements. #

Looking for new Yacht Insurance after Brexit?

If you have recently had to change Insurance Company after Brexit and they are now requesting a Condition Survey and Valuation, I can help you.

Our Insurance Survey 

When you want to insure a boat, or have to renew an existing policy, your insurance company will need an Insurance Survey in order to determine its insurability for the intended use. This type of survey is often referred to as a Condition and Valuation Survey. The scope of an Insurance Survey approaches a Pre-Purchase Survey, but its focus is on structural integrity and safety and it is less detailed. An assessment of the boat's Fair Market Value is part of this type of survey. 

An Insurance Survey requires several hours, depending on the complexity and condition of the boat. My survey report is similar to a report for a Pre-Purchase Survey, but somewhat less detailed.

We guarantee a 48 hour delivery of a personalised and comprehensive survey report in PDF (electronic) format with a bound quality hard copy to follow on request.​ 

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 Pre - Purchase Marine Survey in Lefkada

Today I was at Lefkada Marina carrying out an 'In Water Survey'. Boat movement is down to a minimum at the moment in the Ionian because of the Pandemic. Saying this all the boatyards in Preveza and Lefkada are open and you can work with a permit. No seatrials are allowed at present.

Surprisingly I have been getting so many enquires for Surveys even during these strange times we are living in. Clients want lots of photographs and quick turn around 'Walk Through Surveys' and Video chats.

Notice the feature of a hard chine running from about amidships aft. Having gone many years without seeing a single crease in the hull of a new composite boat. I have noted Beneteau are also in on the act! 

Hull construction on this newish Jeanneau is no different from its elder siblings. Solid hand-laid fiberglass. The cored decks are resin-injected—a process that involves two moulds and produces two finished sides, inside and out. It’s more capital-intensive than hand layup, but it saves dozens of labour hours. 

The cast-iron keel comes in a 6-foot-10-inch standard version or a 5-foot-1-inch shoal version.

Until recently, all Jeanneaus were built in France, other models apparently are produced at the company’s production facility in Marion, South Carolina!

With many years experience representing the interests of both Purchaser and Vendor, and the problems which may arise in the process of purchasing a vessel are fully understood.

If you have your eye on a Yacht In Lefkada, Preveza, Athens, Leros or Samos drop me a message. I can help you. I travel to the Ionian every four to five weeks.