Recent content by Each finger a marlinspike

If it's a surprise, how would you fix it or be able to disclose it? Or hide it if it's going to be a surprise? You can only fix, disclose or hide what you already know. I was trying to prevent surprises by recommending a maintenance procedure to prevent the surprise. There's nothing deceptive...

Maybe a marina has decided that, but it's certainly not widespread that I'm aware of.

You really should quote me rather than trying to put words in my mouth. My exact quote was "When I was a broker I learned the hard way to tell all my new listings to change the oil/trans fluid and keep it clean until survey. Old oil at survey is a deal killer," I would never have told someone...

I never said pre-purchase oil samples were worthless, I said they are of limited value and buyers often over react to the results. The OP is a perfect example of the value gained, he now has a full transmission warranty for his 400 mile ride home with his boat, how many of you got that when you...

I agree with all of that. No different than buying an old car off of craigslist. Nobody knows each other, and any trust should always be at arms length. I approach each survey with the expectation that the seller is trying to hide all kinds of things from me. I don't consider that "dishonest", I...

I personally don't feel that pre-purchase oil samples are ever of very high value. They have "some" value, and they are great for the buyer trying to renegotiate price after a survey but the real value is in trend analysis and a smart owner would run their own samples before listing the boat for...

Actually it was more the people like this that made me hate it.

Hard earned experience. Seeing it happen too many times, talking to many other surveyors. FYI I hated being a broker. This was one of the many reasons. Boat goes to survey, fails oil sample. Buyer walks. Broker doesn't get paid. Seller changes oil, puts sufficient hours on oil. Next buyer shows...

Condensation (I live in Florida) builds when the oil sits. Old oil, even with low hours, shows up as having water in it and then all you guys would be freaking out about how the engine must have sunk or it's got leaks in the heat exchanger, etc... And yes, it is a "hand on the scale". There are...

I've got no problem with people questioning my knowledge, but when you question my ethics those are fighting words. It's not "hiding" a potential issue. If there is an issue it will show up. The only thing it is avoiding is misleadingly bad results. Look at Steve D's article that you posted...

It's unfortunate that you missed the entire point of what I wrote. Nothing is "intentionally obscured" or "interfered" with by having relatively clean oil in the engine. The date of oil change (if known) and number of hours on the oil are included with every oil sample, as well as the age and...

Some perspective on fluid samples from a current surveyor and former yacht broker. Although I take lots of fluid samples now and I think they can be a useful tool, people need to keep in mind that the real value is in trend analysis. Taking regular samples on a regular basis with the same...

Definitely one of my fears. I've heard from others surveyors who have gotten stuck and had to be rescued. Fortunately technology has advanced enough now I always have my watch on and can use it to call for help. :-)

Yes, aluminum hydroxide, often called "Poultice Corrosion" and most often found whenever wood comes in contact with aluminum. The cause is because aluminum is not exposed to air and can't maintain its protective layer.

This is a good place to look. https://www.marinesurvey.org/