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JUST HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE

Posted On: March 31, 2016

Reserve Minutes

by Don Casey

Revised by BoatUS editors

This article rings true every season. Take the time to understand he usuage before you realize too late.

Deep Cycle AGM 32Boaters traditionally think of battery capacity in terms of amp-hours, but if the battery will be used to power an inverter, the reserve minutes rating can be more telling. Reserve minutes, also called reserve capacity, is the number of minutes a fully charged battery can sustain a designated constant load--usually 25 amps--before it is fully discharged. For a 12-volt battery, that means battery voltage will have fallen to 10.5 volts. Recalling that we divide watts by volts to get amps, supplying a 300-watt inverter load from a 12-volt battery requires 25 amps.

So a battery with a reserve capacity of 120 minutes can theoretically handle this load for two hours, but the practical limit is just one hour since it is never a good idea to discharge a battery more than 50%. Running a 1,000-watt coffeemaker through an inverter will completely drain this same battery's usable capacity in less than 15 minutes. If you plan to install an inverter, you need a battery with a high reserve minutes rating.

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THE VALUE OF A MARINE SURVEY

Posted On: March 10, 2016

A marine survey can prove invaluable. The key is to know what type of survey you need, how to best prep the boat, the time required and what a survey report can offer.

There are different types of marine surveys, “One is a Pre-Purchase inspection, which is the most extensive. The Condition & Valuation inspection, which is the one most requested, is mainly used for financial and insurance purposes. Specifically, it’s very useful to insurance companies to determine if the vessel is an acceptable insurance risk. It will also include the valuation to determine the fair market value of the boat. The Damage inspection consists of an inspection that will help establish the cause of a loss and settle on the extent of the damage.”

It’s a good idea to ask a surveyor if they are familiar with the type of boat to be surveyed.

Some surveyors may only survey modern boats typically used in charter, and may lack the specific knowledge of boats built using unusual materials, or older boats. If a boat is wood, or steel or alloy, then finding a surveyor with experience with these materials is important. Ask them for a sample survey too. Most surveyors will be happy to provide this.”

Prepare the boat for a survey

The boat should always be clean and free of miscellaneous items. Paperwork should be on hand and available to present to the surveyor. If it is required to have the boat hauled out or to undergo a sea trial, the arrangements should be made and scheduled by the owner. 

How long does a survey take?

It depends on the size of the vessel. I can take one full day to inspect a typical 45-foot sail boat. It takes then probably another half-day to write the report. Length of time also depends on the vessel’s overall condition.

A 24-foot runabout can likely have a survey completed in a few hours. A 140-foot mega yacht survey could take a week.

It’s not mandatory for a boat owner or potential buyer to attend a survey. 

The most common question marine surveyors are asked?

How Much? What’s the cost? Owners and buyers all too often look at a survey as merely a logistical ‘hoop’ to jump through. However, a good survey report serves as a tool to highlight deficiencies and plan future maintenance pre-purchase, to determine the cause and scope of damage (particularly if a third party is involved in an incident) as well as study costs for a complete claim and to represent the owner’s interest during the repair process

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