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DOCK INSPECTIONS

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by jsschieff, Feb 2, 2021.

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  1. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    A good friend who is a real estate broker is about to list a significant house on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Palm Beach area. He wanted to know who he could engage to tell him the water depth at the dock, and to give him an idea of the dock's condition and what size vessel could be docked there. I do not believe the current owner has ever owned a boat or used the dock.

    Any suggestions who he could contact to provide this sort of information?
  2. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Just saw a video on Cape Ann Towing in Lauderdale on the Tim B at Sea channel. They looked like they knew what they were doing moving mega yachts around. Suspect for a few pieces of silver they can chug out there and take a look see. Or any other (legal) local charter outfit will take him for a spin and show him the depth sounder. A building inspector in that area should know how to evaluate the dock, give or take. And, that can always be fixed. The depth etc not so much.
  3. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I would not rely on sounder to evaluate the actual depth. The bottom is never flat near shore but often comes up along a sea wall. If using a sounder you need to make sure you put the boat so the sounder is as close to the dock as possible.

    another issue is possible debris that may not show up. A diver can easily check the bottom for depth and debris, along with a simple inspection of the piling and even take pictures of water is clear enough
  4. dewald

    dewald Member

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    Your friend must be new to listing waterfront property. Go to city’s building department to get the current city/county codes for docks/boats are for the area. If the codes are like most places in Florida, any change/improvements will have to comply to current codes. Contact a good dock builder and have them evaluate the condition of the dock and get a rough estimate for a completely new dock, Also, your friend should look to see what size docks and boats are at the surrounding properties. Simply good information for your friend to have.
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    +1 dewald. A dock builder is the best one to inspect a dock. They can also give the depth near the dock. If there's an issue of depth near the dock someone like Cape Ann could bring their boat in to blow it out with their props, but if dredging is needed good luck.
  6. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Thank you for suggestion about a dock builder. I'll pass that along. If anyone has the name of a respected dock builder near Palm Beach please post it here.
  7. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    I have a good working relationship with a company that I think can help you. I have asked Marina Depot to reach out to this thread to add comments.

    Judy
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm so bored, You want an under water survey? I'll come down and map it for you.
    Or, Tap on Norse for a charter with a long stick (much cheaper) and sound it your self.
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Generally none of that stuff is ever listed in a real estate ad, except the size of the dock and the footage of waterfront the house has.
  10. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    ....and even then it's usually something simple along the lines of "a one hundred foot dock on deep water access". You certainly do not want to warrant such information regarding depth. Or, google earth the property and look at the neighbors. See any large boats?
  11. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    I think my RE broker buddy wants to be completely knowledgeable about water depth, dock condition, and what sized yacht can be berthed there if a prospective buyer shows up who is a yacht owner. He has decided to call a local dock builder to see if someone can come over and give him information about the dock and its capabilities.
  12. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    It's always better to have answers at hand. When I had my boat in Lauderdale I had several people who were looking at houses hire up to bring them by the waterside. Several got big, bad, expensive surprises when they checked out the docks and sea walls but they got them before putting their money down. Given the cost of docks and seawalls and the hassles involved in getting dredging permits I'd say that's a smart broker.
  13. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Again, your buddy needs to be careful with his creation and advertisement of details. If the Seller wants to provide that information, terrific. But a real boat owner who might be interested in the home is going to do his own homework as well. What your buddy does not want is for the wealthy Buyer with lots of attorneys on speed dial to make a purchase based upon details the agent has prepared and provided. Hence, "deep water access" followed by a contract with water depth contingencies as part of the due diligence.
  14. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    He's a very successful broker and a smart guy. But I'll pass along your solid advice!
  15. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    On most listing for boats and homes I've seen they include a disclaimer such as "Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed." and with real estate nothing matters that's not in writing. So they can advertise "Deep water dockage" (opinion) and say you should be able to bring in a 7' draft boat or we measured it a 8' deep, but I'd be very surprised to see that guaranteed in a contract.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    There is a reason realtors do not get involved. Unless you want to hire a surveying company (not a dock builder) to survey every foot of water from the Seawall all of the way to the main channel, do not advertise anything more than....... deep water access, x feet of Seawall, and x feet of dock.......let the buyer do their homework and they will.
  17. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Thx, but too far away, it is a 6 hour round trip from my home base in Fort Lauderdale. Otherwise a good idea, got a stern mounted transducer calibrated to within a inch, easy to sound a dock, but that long boat ride would cut into my beer time. :cool:
    For a similar project closer to home, see www.odincharters.com
  18. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That's exactly how a realtor would advertise it, but he must do his due diligence or else "puffing" could turn into a lie. He has to advertise "deep water access" if he wants the price that commands, but if there's only 3' of water at the dock that becomes a lie. If the seawall or dock is crumbling and will have to be immediately replaced that must be disclosed, same as if there was a 3' hole in the roof. I'm sure that's all he's trying to do, get the best price possible without telling a lie. Due diligence. Some would prefer to stay ignorant for their own protection, but then they must give up the premium price deep water access and a dock bring.
  19. AnotherKen

    AnotherKen Member

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    Underwater conditions change over time for various reasons. I'd pay a Scuba diver to go down and look around and report back on actual depth, obstructions, suitability for anchoring, etc.
  20. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That's what the buyer should do.