Marine Survey 101

[boatpoker]

"Marine Survey 101" I just posted this article on my website with over 90 photos on how to weed out the junk in order to avoid hiring a surveyor more than once.... think you guys might enjoy it.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

"Marine Survey 101" I just posted this article on my website with over 90 photos on how to weed out the junk in order to avoid hiring a surveyor more than once.... think you guys might enjoy it.

Great stuff.

You will help a lot of people I am sure.

Since owning my Gem for only a few years I am now qualified to survey one.

A few questions but I ask only one.

Every diesel I have ever seen the dip stick on has black oil. Even when I just changed it it is black to a degree. I can see the freshness of the oil and can see through it but it is still "black".

Thanks.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

"Marine Survey 101" I just posted this article on my website with over 90 photos on how to weed out the junk in order to avoid hiring a surveyor more than once.... think you guys might enjoy it.

Great site Boatpoker. I've made a few posts over the years about my feelings towards surveyors. Unfortunatly it's rarely in the positive. It seems I run into so many bad ones. If you ever winter down here in the south let me know I can get you plenty of work. I cracked up when you took a shot at engineers in the electrical section. That alone tells me you've been around more than a few marinas and docks. Again, a great site. All new boat buyers should read through it at least two or three times.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Therapy

Great stuff.

You will help a lot of people I am sure.

Since owning my Gem for only a few years I am now qualified to survey one.

A few questions but I ask only one.

Every diesel I have ever seen the dip stick on has black oil. Even when I just changed it it is black to a degree. I can see the freshness of the oil and can see through it but it is still "black".

Thanks.

Black isn't a problem as long as its in the oil sump and not the coolant. Oil in diesels gets that way fairly quickly. It's milky or slightly muddy looking oil that tells you you have a serious problem and water or coolant is getting into it.

[Gelfling]

Outstanding! I look forward to the finish. This will help so many 'noobs' (like myself) that have only sailed trailered boat with outboards up until one year ago.

As far as the 'black' it is sulfur mixed with the oil. Since the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel engines I haven't seen any of the 'black' in the new ULSD engines after oil change.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Black isn't a problem as long as its in the oil sump and not the coolant. Oil in diesels gets that way fairly quickly. It's milky or slightly muddy looking oil that tells you you have a serious problem and water or coolant is getting into it.

Got it!

OOHhhhhhh.

Was that pic of oil in the coolant? Gotta look again.................

edit;

Some other plastic tank with oil in it?? Strange.

[speedoo]

Wonderful site, boatpoker. The pics really add to the explanation. Bookmarked!

[blueyama]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

"Marine Survey 101"

Good find! Also bookmarked

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by speedoo

Wonderful site, boatpoker. The pics really add to the explanation. Bookmarked!

+1

[Boatdrinks]

Great read! Thanks for posting!

[Vyndance]

Very Cool boatpoker, Very Cool.

[bobconnie]

Been owning and messing about boats 50+ yrs and I learned some things from your post !! Thanks A Bunch

[boden36]

That was really excellent,
Thanks,
Richard.

[SuenosAzules]

Hi Wallace,

I just read your article. I truly enjoyed it. Especially with the pictures to give the reader a visual idea of what you were describing. I have ran into many things that you described in this article on surveys; Bad AC shore power cords, non-ignition protected equipment in gasoline engine spaces, galvanic corrosion on underwater metal, FRP or wood covered chainplates, and many "home projects" on electrical systems that you described in your article. I do the same as you when I am on surveys. I will just look at the exterior of the vessel for a few minutes at different angles, and then stare into compartments for several minutes before moving in. I often will get "red flags" when owners or brokers will try to rush me through the survey. One of my recent favorites was a sailboat I surveyed that had a MSD system that had a hose from the toilet that dumped into the bilge that had a bilge pump with a float switch that discharged the black water overboard once it got full enough.. YUK!!! Anyway, I knew there was a problem as when I first entered the accommodation spaces I could smell the strong odor of bleach. The owner was trying to mask the issue. I have had that several times where owners or brokers will either bleach the boat or use Febreeze type products to mask leaks or equipment failures I later find on the boat. I think every boater should read this article. Well written. Thanks for sharing it.

[boatpoker]

Thanks for the positive comments guys, glad you liked it.