Marine Survey Findings Library: Defects, Grades, Example Write-ups

Hull and structure

Osmotic blistering

What osmotic blistering is, how a surveyor tells it from paint blisters, which moisture readings matter, what treatment costs per foot and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Wet deck core

How water gets into a cored deck, how a surveyor maps it with a moisture meter and a hammer, which readings to trust, what recoring costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Wet transom core

How water gets into a cored transom, how a surveyor finds it with a hammer and a moisture meter, what the sounds and cracks mean, what repair involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Gelcoat stress cracks

What star cracks and parallel gelcoat cracks say about a fibreglass boat, how a surveyor tells crazing from structural cracking, what repair involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Loose bulkhead tabbing

Why bulkhead and stringer tabbing lets go, what a failed secondary bond looks like, how a surveyor checks it, what repair involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Hull to deck joint leak

How hull to deck joints are built, where leaks really come from, how a surveyor traces water at the joint, what repair involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Grounding damage

What a hard grounding does to a fin keel boat, where the hull splits, what a keel smile means, what a surveyor checks inside and out and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Water in the rudder

How water gets into a hollow or foam-filled rudder, why rust-coloured weeping is the warning sign, what a surveyor checks, draining and repair, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

How aluminium boats corrode, where pitting hides, the reference cell readings that show an aluminium hull is protected or overprotected, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Stringer rot

Why wood stringers rot inside their fibreglass, the signs a surveyor looks for, the drill test, what replacing a stringer costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Teak deck wear

How a surveyor judges a worn teak deck from its plugs, seams and remaining thickness, when a recaulk is enough and when the deck must be replaced, what it costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Leaking deck hardware

How leaking stanchion bases, cleats and tracks let water into a cored deck, the spider cracks that show poor backing, what Practical Sailor recommends for backing plates, how rebedding works, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Steel hull wastage

How a surveyor gauges a steel hull with an ultrasonic thickness meter, the 25 percent wastage limit used in US Coast Guard guidance, where steel boats corrode, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Keel smile

What a keel smile is, when a crack at the keel joint is normal and when it means water at the keel bolts, how to inspect it, why glassing over it fails, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

HULL AND STRUCTURE

Leaking portlights

Why boat portlights and hatches leak, when it's dried-out bedding and when the cabin side is flexing, crazed and cracked lenses, what to check on survey, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Underwater gear

UNDERWATER GEAR

Keel bolt corrosion

The signs of corroded keel bolts, why looking at the nuts isn't an inspection, when a bolt has to be pulled, what replacing keel bolts costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Seized seacocks

Why a seacock that won't close is a safety finding, how surveyors check seacocks and through-hulls, the ABYC strength test a ball valve on a through-hull can fail, replacement costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Worn cutless bearing

How a surveyor checks a cutless bearing for play, what 1/16 inch of movement means, what uneven wear says about alignment, what replacement involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Leaking shaft seal

How many drips a stuffing box should make, when it needs repacking, what a surveyor checks on the shaft log hose, clamps and dripless seals, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Depleted anodes

When sacrificial anodes need replacing, zinc, aluminium or magnesium for your water, what anodes that aren't wasting mean, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Loose P-bracket

How a surveyor tells a loose P-bracket from a worn bearing, what moves when, what looseness does to the shaft and stern gear, what repair involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Through-hull bonding

Why surveyors disagree on bonding through-hulls, what Nigel Calder and Don Casey advise, when a fitting should be bonded, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Damaged propeller

How to inspect a propeller for bent blades, nicks, cracks and a spun hub, when to repair and when to replace, the repitch limits for bronze and stainless, repair costs for aluminium and stainless, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Sterndrive bellows

Why sterndrive bellows sink boats at the dock, how to inspect all three, how often to replace them, what to check on the drive at the same time and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Shaft misalignment

What engine to shaft misalignment does to a boat, the signs a surveyor sees on the sea trial and haul-out, how alignment is checked at the coupling, the 0.001 inch per inch rule, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Rudder bearing wear

How to check a rudder for bearing play and a wet or corroded rudder on the haul-out, what the thunk means, how often to drop the rudder to see the stock, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

UNDERWATER GEAR

Hydraulic steering leak

How to check boat hydraulic steering on survey: leaks at the helm and ram seals, hoses and tubing, the bounce-back test for air, what a spongy wheel means, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Rig

RIG

Chainplate crevice corrosion

Why stainless chainplates corrode where they pass through the deck, what a surveyor can see without pulling them, the signs that mean replacement, costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

RIG

Cracked swage terminals

Where standing rigging fails, how a surveyor spots cracked swage terminals and broken strands, the rigging age insurers look for, what re-rigging costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

RIG

Mast step corrosion

Why the heel of a keel-stepped aluminium mast corrodes, what white powder and pitting mean, what a surveyor checks at the step, what repair involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

RIG

Standing rigging age

How old standing rigging can get, what insurers and riggers generally expect, why stainless wire gives little warning, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

RIG

Roller furler faults

What fails on a headsail roller furler, how a surveyor checks the drum, foil and top swivel, why halyard wrap can bring the mast down, what parts and new furlers cost, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Engine and fuel

ENGINE AND FUEL

Exhaust elbow corrosion

Why marine diesel mixing elbows corrode from the inside, the signs a surveyor looks for, how long they last, what replacement costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Fuel hose type and age

What USCG Type A1, A2, B1 and B2 fuel hose means, which hose goes where under ABYC H-24 and H-33, what a surveyor looks for, what replacement costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Raw water pump leak

What water from a raw water pump's weep hole means, how impellers fail, what a surveyor checks on the engine's cooling water pump, what a rebuild involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Failed engine mounts

How to tell when marine engine mounts have failed, from rubber dust to a bracket sitting on the stud, how long they last, what new mounts cost, why alignment follows, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Missing anti-siphon valve

When a gasoline boat's fuel line needs an anti-siphon valve under 33 CFR 183.568, the alternatives the rule allows, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Fuel tank corrosion

Why aluminium fuel tanks corrode under foam, straps and bilge water, what a surveyor can and can't see, what replacing a tank involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Diesel bug

What diesel bug is, why boat tanks are prone to it, the signs in the filter bowl and on the sea trial, what cleaning a tank costs, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Outboard water pump impeller

How an outboard's water pump fails, the signs of a worn impeller, how often it should be changed, what the job costs, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Outboard corrosion

Where outboards corrode, inside and out, how worn the anodes can get before they're replaced, why flushing matters, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Exhaust hose

How wet exhaust hose fails, what to look for at the clamps and along the run, why a cooling failure cooks the hose before the engine gauge moves, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Engine overheating

Why marine diesels overheat, chronic against acute overheating, the order to check the cooling system in, the temperature test for a blocked exhaust elbow, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Fuel tank vent faults

What the US rules require of a gasoline boat's fuel tank vent, the flame arrester that must be cleanable, the 2 gallon a minute overflow rule, the vent line size the Coast Guard's handbook gives, signs of a blocked vent, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Generator exhaust

Why a boat's generator exhaust is the leading cause of carbon monoxide deaths on houseboats, what a surveyor checks in the exhaust run and where it exits, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Exhaust smoke

What white, blue and black smoke from a marine diesel point to, when smoke is normal, how to watch the exhaust on a sea trial, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ENGINE AND FUEL

Stiff steering cable

Why mechanical outboard steering goes stiff and seizes, the twice-yearly maintenance the steering maker gives, how to tell a seized tilt tube from a failed cable, why cables can't be repaired, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Electrical

ELECTRICAL

Missing overcurrent protection

Why an unfused battery cable is a fire risk, the ABYC E-11 rule surveyors check against, which fuse types suit which battery banks, what the fix costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

No galvanic isolator

How the shore power earth links your boat's underwater metals to every boat on the dock, what a galvanic isolator does, what ABYC A-28 asks for, what one costs and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Unsecured batteries

What ABYC E-10 asks of battery installations, why a loose battery is a safety finding, boxes versus straps, insulated terminals and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Lithium batteries without a BMS

What ABYC E-13 asks of lithium battery systems on boats, why a battery management system is required, what a surveyor checks on a lithium install and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Shore power reverse polarity

What reverse polarity on a boat's shore power means, why breakers stop protecting you, the ABYC reverse polarity indicator, how a surveyor tests it and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Stray current corrosion

How stray current corrosion shows up on a boat, why anodes can't stop it, where it comes from on board and at the marina, how it's tested and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Household wiring

Why household cable and wire nuts don't belong on a boat, what marine wire is, what a surveyor looks for behind panels and in lockers, what rewiring involves and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Battery switch

What goes wrong with a boat's 1-2-Both battery switch, why turning it through Off with the engine running can kill the alternator, the flicker test for a worn switch, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Overheated shore power inlet

Why shore power inlets and cord ends overheat and burn, the infrared temperature check a former ABYC technical VP recommends, what to look for behind the inlet, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Lightning strike damage

How likely a boat is to be struck by lightning, where the damage hides, why the hull and through-hulls come first, what a surveyor checks after a strike and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

ELECTRICAL

Old batteries

How to read a battery's age from its date code, how long AGM batteries are expected to last, the resting voltage and load test a battery maker gives, the signs a bank is worn out, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Plumbing and tanks

PLUMBING AND TANKS

Holding tank leak

Where holding tank smells really come from, the damp rag test for permeated sanitation hose, why a blocked vent can split a tank, which tanks fail, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

PLUMBING AND TANKS

Single hose clamps

Where ABYC requires two hose clamps and where one is allowed, why surveyors still call for two below the waterline, what to look for in the clamps and barbs, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Gas and safety

GAS AND SAFETY

LPG locker drain

Why propane sinks and a gas locker has to drain overboard, what ABYC A-1 asks of LPG lockers, what a surveyor checks, the common faults and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

No CO alarm

Where a boat needs carbon monoxide detectors under the revised ABYC A-24, which detectors qualify, where not to fit them, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Expired life raft

How often a yacht life raft needs servicing, what ISO 9650 and the makers ask, what a service costs, when replacing beats servicing, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Expired fire extinguishers

When a disposable marine fire extinguisher expires under the US Coast Guard rule, how to read the date stamp, what makes an extinguisher good and serviceable, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Out of date gas hose

Why flexible LPG hoses on boats are replaced at five years from the date printed on them, where to find the date, the BS 3212 rating, what else a surveyor checks on the gas line, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Navigation lights

Which navigation lights a yacht needs under the COLREGs, the visibility ranges for boats under 12 and 20 metres, the tricolour rule, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Bilge pump float switch failure

Why float switches fail, the switch types Practical Sailor tested, how a surveyor tests an automatic bilge pump, what new switches cost and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

No gas detector

Why a boat with an LPG cooker needs a gas detector and solenoid shut-off, where the sensor goes, what to do in a leak, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Expired flares

How long boat flares last, what the USCG asks a boat to carry, why expired flares don't count, how to dispose of them, what a surveyor checks and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Bilge blower

Which gasoline boats need an engine compartment blower under 33 CFR 183.610, the capacity and intake rules, the 4-minute warning label, how to test it on survey, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Lifelines and stanchions

Why lifelines fail, why plastic-coated wire hides corrosion, how much load a stanchion base takes, what to check on survey, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

EPIRB expired

What to check on an EPIRB on survey: battery expiry, the hydrostatic release date, registration, the bracket and the lanyard, with the service intervals and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Inflatable life jacket service

What to check on inflatable life jackets on survey: the service indicator, CO2 cylinder, bobbin or cartridge dates, the bladder leak test and the service record, with three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

GAS AND SAFETY

Missing pollution placards

Which US boats need an oil discharge placard and a garbage placard, the minimum sizes, where they go and what they must say under 33 CFR 155.450 and 151.59, the garbage management plan at 40 ft, and three example findings graded A, B and C.

How to find and write it up

Survey findings, written up

Hull and structure

Osmotic blistering

Wet deck core

Wet transom core

Gelcoat stress cracks

Loose bulkhead tabbing

Hull to deck joint leak

Grounding damage

Water in the rudder

Aluminium hull corrosion

Stringer rot

Teak deck wear

Leaking deck hardware

Steel hull wastage

Keel smile

Leaking portlights

Underwater gear

Keel bolt corrosion

Seized seacocks

Worn cutless bearing

Leaking shaft seal

Depleted anodes

Loose P-bracket

Through-hull bonding

Damaged propeller

Sterndrive bellows

Shaft misalignment

Rudder bearing wear

Hydraulic steering leak

Rig

Chainplate crevice corrosion

Cracked swage terminals

Mast step corrosion

Standing rigging age

Roller furler faults

Engine and fuel

Exhaust elbow corrosion

Fuel hose type and age

Raw water pump leak

Failed engine mounts

Missing anti-siphon valve

Fuel tank corrosion

Diesel bug

Outboard water pump impeller

Outboard corrosion

Exhaust hose

Engine overheating

Fuel tank vent faults

Generator exhaust

Exhaust smoke

Stiff steering cable

Electrical

Missing overcurrent protection

No galvanic isolator

Unsecured batteries

Lithium batteries without a BMS

Shore power reverse polarity

Stray current corrosion

Household wiring

Battery switch

Overheated shore power inlet

Lightning strike damage

Old batteries

Plumbing and tanks

Holding tank leak

Single hose clamps

Gas and safety

LPG locker drain

No CO alarm

Expired life raft

Expired fire extinguishers

Out of date gas hose

Navigation lights

Bilge pump float switch failure

No gas detector

Expired flares

Bilge blower

Lifelines and stanchions

EPIRB expired