Delray Beach FL
CB Marine Surveys
South Florida based, willing to travel, prompt, thorough, professional, providing marine survey and valuation services for sail and power boats.
Chris Borovsky, SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor
I focus on one thing:
Delivering Outstanding Service
Experienced
Over 30 years owning, operating and delivering a wide range of boats and marine services. ABYC member, Standards Certified, and Certified Advisor for Marine Electrical and Corrosion surveys.
Professional
My credentials include: Yacht and Small Craft Survey and Marine Damage Claims, Chapman School of Seamanship; Marine Technology Technical Certificate, Broward College; SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor.
Consulting Services
Whether you are new to boating or an experienced sailor, looking to move up or to downsize, ready to tackle a full refit or find a true turn-key boat, we can help you navigate the many choices needed to find the right fit for your needs.
Originally from Long Beach NY, now living in Delray Beach FL, being on or near the water has always been a constant for me. As much as I love to sail, paddle or row, there’s much to be said for opening up the throttle and powering your way home after a day on the water. I’ve owned more boats than cars, each design representing a set of capabilities and compromises to match the time and budget available. I’ve stripped, fared, and barrier coated bottoms, repaired and replaced rudders, converted steering from wheel to tiller, added traveler, furling and single line reef systems, upgraded electrical and plumbing systems, and of course, had to replace head and holding tanks systems. Knowing what you are getting into beforehand is the key.
Our Services
Pre-Purchase and Condition and Value Survey
This type of survey is the most comprehensive, requiring a thorough inspection of the boat from bow to stern and all on-board systems. If the boat is out of the water arrangements will need to be made to launch the boat and perform a sea trial. If the boat is at the dock, a haul out will need to be arranged to examine the hull below the waterline and running gear. the boat and complexity of on-board systems. Insurance carriers and finance companies usually require this type of survey when you buy a boat. Get started.
Vessel Walk-through
A vessel walk-through is offered to clients who are interested in purchasing a boat but live too far away to perform an initial inspection without incurring significant travel expenses. Evaluation services are meant to help determine if the boat’s condition meets expectations before heading into contract negotiations. Get started.
Insurance Condition and Value Survey
Insurance underwriters periodically review the policies they are responsible for and may request a survey in order to evaluate the boat prior to issuing a policy renewal. The frequency depends greatly on the age, location, insured value and type of use for each boat, all key factors in determining the level of risk. Although similar in scope to the pre-purchase survey above, this type of survey does not usually require a haul out or sea trials. Get started.
Vessel Appraisal
If you are thinking about donating your boat to charity, or if you need to have your vessel appraised for other financial considerations, a vessel appraisal may be the document you need to satisfy IRS or other financial reporting requirements. Similar in scope to an insurance survey, there is no requirement for sea trials. Get started.
Marine Corrosion Survey
This service provides an in-depth inspection of the boats electrical bonding system and its capacity to protect dissimilar underwater metals from galvanic corrosion. This service is performed where the boat is normally docked. Get started.
Damage Claim Survey
If you file an insurance claim for damages resulting from a covered loss, such as a fire, lightning strike, collision, your insurance carrier will typically look to a marine surveyor to document the nature and extent of the loss. Each insurance carrier has their own internal procedures so it’s best to ask about the damage survey process when you file your claim. Get started.
Credentials
Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
- Accredited Marine Surveyor
American Boat & Yacht Council
- Marine Electrical Certified Advisor
- Marine Corrosion Certified Advisor
- Marine Diesel Certified Advisor
- Marine Systems Certified Advisor
- ABYC Standards Certified
- Marine Technology, Technical Certificate
Yacht & Small Craft Surveys
- Marine Damage & Claims
American Society of Appraisers
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
Questions? we have answers
Marine Survey FAQs
- Whenever possible the survey should be completed in one day, including haul out and sea trials.
- Boats over 45 feet in length may need to have the survey split over two days.
The survey report will be delivered within 48 – 72 hours depending upon the size and complexity of the vessel.
- The owner of the boat, or the owner’s broker if a pre-purchase survey, usually coordinates the survey schedule between the buyer, the surveyor and the yard where the haul out will take place.
- Ideally all parties will be present for the survey, however in some cases the owner and/or buyer may not be able to attend the entire day.
- The vessel’s state registration and if applicable, USCG Certificate of Documentation should be on board.
- All interior spaces should be accessible for inspection; cabins, lockers, drawers, and storage areas should be free of personal belongings, only those items conveyed with the sale should be on board.
- Fuel, water, power must be available in order to test on-board systems.
- The vessel should be equipped to meet USCG safety requirements during sea trials.
- Engine(s) will be visually inspected prior to sea trials, checking fluid levels, hoses, belts, hour meters and electrical connections.
- Engine(s) and generator(s) will be run during sea trials to test operations at idle, while cruising and under wide open throttle.
- Oil samples can be taken and sent out for analysis if requested.
- Spars, furling systems and standing rigging are visually inspected to “deck level”.
- Swaged fittings will be examined for signs of corrosion, penetrating die will not be used on standing rigging while the mast is up.
- Running rigging will be inspected and operated during sea trials to the extent that wind and sea conditions permit.
- Survey reports will be provided via e-mail within 48 hours of completion of the survey unless otherwise agreed during the initial consultation.
- Call to discuss your requirements and make sure we offer the services you need, when you need them.
- Complete the contact form and be sure to include the best time and method to reach you.
- Review the work order we send to you, make sure it has all of the services you need with the agreed upon date and fee.
- Electronically sign and you’re on the schedule.
- Keep in touch if changes have to be made to the schedule.
Get a Quote
The cost of a survey has traditionally been based on a “per foot basis”. There are many other variables that come into play which can drive that per foot cost up or down, such as the type of survey, size and complexity of the boat. For example a 20 foot Bay Boat with a single outboard is much less complex than a 44 foot Express Cruiser with twin inboard diesel engines, and a 38 foot monohull sailboat is less complex than the same length catamaran.
Specialized services such as, engine oil analysis, specialized engine surveys, rigging surveys, corrosion surveys, infrared thermography and ultrasound would add to the complexity and cost of the survey. These services may be provided separately, billed at a fixed fee or at an hourly rate, or be packaged with the quote for a pre-purchase survey if needed.
Travel charges may also be a factor if overnight accommodations, ferries or flights are involved.
Knowing what to expect ahead of time is key; it starts with a call, a discussion and a quote based on your needs.