Condition & Value (Insurance and Finance) Surveys:

Your insurer or lender may require you to obtain a Condition & Value Survey in order for them to bind or renew coverage, or to close a loan on your vessel.

A Condition & Value Survey is not nearly as detailed as a Pre Purchase Survey: It consists of an inspection and an official document showing the vessel, its numbering (including photos), and compliance with applicable standards, equipment, condition, and fair market value.

The priority of a Bill Potter Marine Surveys Condition and Value Survey is SAFETY. Bill Potter does not perform "routine surveys". The Marine Survey is an opportunity to verify that conditions do not exist that create a safety concern: FIRE, EXPLOSION, HIGH WATER/ FLOODING, ELECTROCUTION, LOSS OF CONTROL/ STEERING, BASIC STRUCTURES AND SAFETY. Verification of accessible/ legible hull identification numbers, and engine serial numbers, along with the documentation of the apparent condition of the vessel are also noted, and included in the survey report.

Your insurer or lender may require that the Condition & Value Survey inspection include inspection of the underwater areas of the hull and running gear. This will usually require that the vessel be inspected out of the water. The additional expense for the haul out is not included in the price of the survey. It is important to know if an "out of water" survey inspection is required, before the survey inspection is scheduled.

The key to an acceptable Condition & Value Survey is that it contains all of the elements that an insurer or lender requires: It is very important that the identifying information for the vessel, as well as the condition of the vessel be clearly documented (with photos embedded in the report) so that in the event of a loss, you have proof of the condition of your vessel. Bill Potter Marine Surveys Condition and Value Survey reports are simple and easy to read and understand, with no fancy words or boilerplate.

Bill Potter Marine Surveys reports quickly give the insurance underwriter or lender the information they need.

There's more to lubrication than simply reducing friction.

A balanced formula is required for optimum performance in all areas of lubrication.

An oil's primary function is reducing friction. It does this by creating a film between surfaces to prevent contact, thereby reducing friction. However, lubricants are frequently needed ot do more than just provide a slippery film between moving surfaces in contact.

They are tasked to carry out several other functions, some of which might not immediately spring to mind when you think about engine oils or other lubricants.

Here are six not-so-obvious lubricant functions:

Transfer Energy-

Because fluid lubricants are not readily compressible, they can act as an energy-transfer medium, such as in hydraulic equipment, transmissions, engine valve lifters, etc.

Clean-

Lubricants maintain internal cleanliness by suspending contaminants within the fluid or by preventing the contaminants from adhering to components. Base oils possess a varying degree of solvency that assists in maintaining internal cleanliness. Solvency is the ability of a fluid to dissolve a solid, liquid, or gas. While the solvency of the oil is important for maintaining cleanliness, detergents and dispersants play a key roll. Detergents are additives that prevent contaminants from adhering to components, especially hot components such as piston, or piston rings. Dispersants are additives that keep contaminants suspended in the fluid. Dispersants act as a solvent, helping the oil maintain cleanliness and prevent sludge formation.

Cool-

Lubricants are used to cool the parts of a component or machine while in operation- like a fan or air conditioner is used to cool the inside of a house. Reducing friction minimizes heat in moving parts, which lowers the overall operating temperature of the equipment. Lubricants also absorb heat from contact surface areas and transport it to a location to be safely dispersed, such as the oil sump. Heat transfer ability tends to be a trait of the base oil's thickness- Lighter oils tend to transfer oils more readily.

Seal-Out Contaminants-

Lubricants are used to seal components from outside contamination, like windows in a house or automobile. They can act as a dynamic seal in locations such as piston rings, and cylinder contact areas to prevent contamination.

Dampen Shock-

A lubricant can cushion the blow of mechanical shock, just like a shock absorber in a car dampens road vibrations and imperfections. A highly functional lubricant film can resist rupture and absorb and disperse these energy spikes over a broad contact area. When the mechanical shock to components is dampened, wear and damaging forces are minimized, extending the component's overall life.

Protect Against Corrosion-

A lubricant must have the ability to prevent or minimize internal component corrosion. Lubricants accomplish this either by chemically neutralizing corrosive products, or by establishing a barrier between the components and the corrosive material.

Superior Protection & Performance-

The important takeaway here is that lubricant quality is not about excelling in one performance area; rather, its about the entire set of performance properties.

The quality of oil used is critical to machinery performance and durability.