The haul out will determine whether there is major blistering, de-lamination or problems with running gear, such as the shaft, strut or propeller. While the boat is in the slings, the bottom should be pressure washed prior to the survey. As she dries out, paint blisters, which are not a major problem, will disappear. But gel coat blisters, which can be a problem, will remain.CAPT. ALAN HUGENOTA good surveyor will want to run the engine cold and then watch the exhaust as the block heats. Simple visual inspections are often just as effective as more costly testing.

These need to be examined carefully. The surveyor should determine whether they are new blisters or previously repaired blisters, which often show up as a "bump." The surveyor will also mallet test or "tap" the entire hull to listen for the sound of de-lamination, which appear as a lack of "fairness" in the curve of the hull. Evidence of major blistering or de-lamination can substantially devalue the boat.

A surveyor will also diagnose topside gel coat chalking; the difference between crazing and stress cracking; and the difference between pox blisters, gel coat blistering, manufacturing voids and delaminating. He can also detect where the boat has had major fiberglass replacements, and whether or not it has an epoxy barrier coat under the anti-fouling bottom paint.

A survey also will turn up structural problems in the hull like partially glassed wood panels; engine beds that are hollow; structural tabs that are not bonded to the hull; exposed glass roving and roving aligned with the structure that may crack as the boat ages.

If you are looking at a wooden boat, carefully question the surveyor in advance about his background in wooden hulls. This is a very specialized hull type. Most wooden boat construction stopped long ago and the technology is quickly being forgotten. I have owned 14 wooden boats and I believe it is not a good idea to consider wood for your first boat. You will have enough to learn about without the additional complications. If you do, be sure to read up on different types of wood rot and other typical problems, and choose a surveyor who has deep experience with wooden hulls.

If you boat is a sailboat, you will have to think about the condition of the rigging. It is expensive and dangerous to send a surveyor aloft to look at rigging. Most shipyards simply will not allow it. You, the previous owner and the boat yard all may be liable if the surveyor injures himself. Instead of an aloft survey, I show the new owner how to do periodic rigging inspections himself and what is right and wrong with his rigging. There is much that can be seen without going aloft. If a qualified surveyor inspects your rigging and pronounces it sound, be skeptical of yard salesmen who tell you otherwise. Rigging upgrades are a large money maker – and many of those guys work on commission.

If you are present for the survey, you can learn about these problems first-hand, see them for yourself and, if you chose the right surveyor, have them explained in simple language. Some surveyors in the industry are reclusive nuts-and-bolts engineering types who don't want the client on hand for the survey. They'd rather concentrate on the task without the distraction of naïve questions. But I think the best surveyors welcome the customer looking over their shoulder.

In my experience, it is easier to explain something when we can both see it in front of us than it is for the customer to attempt to understand it later from the written survey. Surveys are written in precise technical terminology that the shipyard understands, but may be unfamiliar to a new buyer. Simply having the new owner on hand avoids misunderstandings.

There are several extra things surveyors can do, such as creating a plan view drawing of the hull, taking oil samples in the crank case and transmission, or surveying aloft. But most of these cost extra and are not worth the price in most cases. Taking the surveyor on a sea trial does make sense if he is a licensed captain or experienced sailor, and they usually only charge for the additional time. He can run the boat through all its drills to see what is not working properly.

When the survey is complete, you will know what needs to be repaired on the boat. The surveyor can list the items for you and you can ask the yard for an estimate, or get competitive bids. The surveyor will not yet be able to give you his final estimate of insurable market value, but he will know if the selling price is fair. Your surveyor will have access to "blue book" prices, available in publications such as the BUC and NAPA guides, and should be able to run a ballpark price based on needed repairs. Usually, there is enough information available to make the buy decision.