Owners Representative/Surveyor

[trogers]

Hello All.

It has been a couple of years (wow!) since my last post. I have been "oddly busy" at work, but in the interim I have managed to take the boat from Huntsville, AL to Penasacola, FL, Pensacola to Washington, DC (ending in Jan a couple of years ago - bad idea!), from DC to Augusta, GA (up the Savannah River (another bad idea), and from Augusta to Southport, NC (a great idea!). I am getting ready to put Fun@Sea.Calm onto the hard for safe keeping for the next year or so. No boating for the immediate future.

I am looking at putting the boat on the hard while I go overseas for a deployment and am looking to decide between a couple of yards (Hampstead, NC vs. Beaufort, NC). One of the decision points is insurance. Boat US has an ENORMOUS difference in premium between the two locations (5K delta), even though they are, releatively close to each other. I am getting a quote through USAA to compare and contrast, which (finally) gets me to my two questions....

1. Surveyors in the Hampstead, NC and/or the Beaufort, NC area. - Insurance quote will require a survey.
2. Someone to act as 'eyes on' while the boat is on the hard while I am down range and cannot do more than trade emails with the yard.

Thanks in advance.

 

[saltshaker]

Insurance should be the same in either location. Make sure you get a full survey, most insurance co. will no longer accept an insurance survey. They want full condition and value surveys with a haul out on any boat over 4 years old. You can do much better than BOAT/US if you shop but make sure you get a good policy. I pay a little over $1600 per year for an '88 65C. When the boat was in Fl, my rate was almost 8K with BOAT/US. If the boat is being layed up for an extended period, you can get a policy that covers the boat but restricts operation. That will save you a lot. I'm in NJ but my boat is in Morehead City, NC. I have a great group that manage things for me when I'm not there. Someone is on the boat at least 3 times a week and checked daily. If you end up in that area, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the guys I use.

 

[SeaEric]

Moores Marine in Beaufort has a long term storage/lay up/management arrangement at their location. You may want to check with them on the details. They are adjacent to Jarrett Bay's facility.

 

[bobk]

.... I pay a little over $1600 per year for an '88 65C. When the boat was in Fl, my rate was almost 8K. If the boat is being layed up for an extended period, you can get a policy that covers the boat but restricts operation. That will save you a lot. I'm in NJ but my boat is in Morehead City, NC. I have a great group that manage things for me when I'm not there. Someone is on the boat at least 3 times a week and checked daily. If you end up in that area, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the guys I use.

Jack,

That is a fantastic insurance rate. Do you have navigational restrictions due to hurricanes etc? Bahamas?

Can you share your carrier and agent?

Bobk
Chateau de Mer
1981 48MY

 

[saltshaker]

I was with Gowrie group and had a policy from Ace. I prefer Traveler's policy but they wouldn't cover the boat in Fl since we don't have a legal residence there. I'm now with Seaworthy and Beale Marine in Jacksonville is the agent. They wrote the policy for me which included Fl but at $4600. I am covered everywhere except during Hurricane season when I need to be north of Jacksonville. If I want to cruise fl and the Bahamas during hurricane season, I can buy a rider or switch back to unrestricted cruising limits. If I had a home in Fl, Ace would have written the policy for around $2000. I have a good friend who is based in Jacksonville but cruises 9 months out of the year. He has unrestricted coverage with no layup. Boat is a custom built 40' trawler with a hull value around 300K. He is with Beale Marine and has a policy from Ace. He pays around $1800.

 

[GJH]

Actually, a variety of insurers use Morehead City as a demarcation line. Hampstead, though mostly west of here, is still south.

I'd give Roger Wetherington at Jarrett Bay a call. They usually have some winter and extended storage specials. They may be more expensive than Core Creek or Moores (both of whom use JB's lift services), but I feel their yard is better protected further up the hill in the back. Though there are cheaper places, I still use them as my hurricane haul out provider and pay them a protection money "seat license" every year.

Two other places with big enough lifts that are near there are True World Marine next door, and Bock marine further up the Creek. Bock is also very well protected; both are very DIY friendly. Make sure whoever does it blocks and chains the boat for hurricane conditions. JB also keeps people on site during the storm and keeps eyes on the boats as conditions permit. Also there a few of us forum members in the neighborhood to check up during the year as needed.

 

[rsmith]

Insurance should be the same in either location. Make sure you get a full survey, most insurance co. will no longer accept an insurance survey. They want full condition and value surveys with a haul out on any boat over 4 years old. You can do much better than BOAT/US if you shop but make sure you get a good policy. I pay a little over $1600 per year for an '88 65C. When the boat was in Fl, my rate was almost 8K with BOAT/US. If the boat is being layed up for an extended period, you can get a policy that covers the boat but restricts operation. That will save you a lot. I'm in NJ but my boat is in Morehead City, NC. I have a great group that manage things for me when I'm not there. Someone is on the boat at least 3 times a week and checked daily. If you end up in that area, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the guys I use.

Is that liability only? Hull is typicaly 2-4%

 

[trogers]

Clarification:

I am not asking for advice regarding insurance. That is my motivation for getting an updated survey. I already have several quotes. Several for the quotes are predicated on an updated survey.....

Hence the question regarding competent surveyors with rates that are reasonable and competitive.

 

[trogers]

Also there a few of us forum members in the neighborhood to check up during the year as needed.

Thanks George that is a gracious offer. Would you mind if I contacted you off line to discuss in further detail?

 

[GJH]

No problem. Send me a PM. I can try to dig up a reasonable local insurance surveyor if you like, but through people I trust and no direct experience of my own.

 

[saltshaker]

Is that liability only? Hull is typicaly 2-4%

That's full coverage with a 2% deductible. Rates are much lower once you get north of Fl.