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Sea Captain Marine Surveyor

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Sea Captain Marine Surveyor

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Our experienced Surveyor offers a range of services to meet your needs, including Pre-Purchase Survey, Insurance Survey, Appraisal Survey, Damage Survey and much more!

08/15/2026

Through-hull fittings are one of those systems that really deserve regular attention, because when they fail, they fail below the waterline.

In the first photo, the valve handle is missing and there are clear signs of leakage around the fitting. The hose itself is aged and due for replacement. On top of that, the assembly is made up of mixed materials — a metal through-hull/valve with a PVC fitting threaded into it. This is a weak point below the waterline. Metal and PVC expand at different rates, and over time that movement can loosen threads, crack the plastic fitting, or cause sudden failure without much warning.

In the second photo, the issues stack up. The hose connected to the through-hull is not rated for below-waterline use and is not oil-resistant, which is critical in an engine or machinery space. The hose itself is aged, both clamps are installed on the same side, and the through-hull valve is rusted and seized, meaning it cannot be relied upon when you actually need it.

Through-hull fittings, valves, hoses, and clamps should all be:

Properly rated for below-waterline use

Made of compatible materials

Easy to operate and clearly identifiable

Inspected regularly and serviced before problems become emergencies

It’s a small area of the boat, but one of the highest-risk systems if neglected.

If you’re buying, selling, or just want peace of mind, this is exactly the kind of detail a proper marine survey looks for.

Sea Captain Marine Surveyor Inc.
📍 Vancouver Island & beyond
🌐 www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca

08/12/2026

This 1986 C&C 30 was inspected as part of a full pre-purchase survey, including both an in-water inspection and a haul-out for a complete view of the hull and underwater components.

C&C Yachts built a strong reputation through the 1970s and 1980s for producing sailboats that combined performance, solid construction, and thoughtful engineering. Many of their designs were drawn by leading naval architects of the time, resulting in boats known for stiff hulls, efficient fin keels, responsive handling, and durable fiberglass construction.

The C&C 30 is a great example of that era: a capable performance cruiser and club racer with clean lines and a layout that still works well decades later. Boats like this highlight why a proper pre-purchase survey is important—structure, systems, and overall condition need to be understood before moving forward.

If you’re considering the purchase of a sailboat, whether for racing or cruising, a detailed survey helps ensure there are no surprises.

Pre-purchase and insurance surveys across Vancouver Island
Fiberglass, aluminum, and steel vessels
Nanaimo-based, travel available

www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca

08/10/2026

Thinking of buying, selling, or insuring a vessel?
A professional marine survey provides clarity, risk awareness, and documentation you can rely on.

We provide independent marine surveying services across British Columbia, including:
• Pre-purchase surveys
• Insurance surveys
• Valuations
• Condition and compliance inspections

All surveys are conducted in accordance with ABYC recommended practices and Transport Canada requirements, with clear written reports, supporting photographs, and practical, prioritized recommendations.

We are a Member of SAMS - Surveying Associate, a member of AMSBC, ABYC, NFPA, ACMS and CACMS and operate as independent marine surveyors focused on objective assessment and professional reporting.

📍 Based in Nanaimo | Serving coastal British Columbia
📅 Flexible scheduling
📄 Clear, professional survey reports

👉 Learn more or book your survey here:
www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca

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08/07/2026

🔍 Two exhausts. Two different problems. Same lesson.

Both of these photos come from different vessels, but they highlight issues I see more often than I should during surveys.

➡️ Photo 1 – Generator exhaust:
This is the correct type of hose — a marine wet exhaust hose (typically SAE J2006, as referenced in ABYC guidance). That’s the good news.
The bad news? A metal exhaust elbow has corroded badly, and that corrosion has started attacking the hose clamps. Once clamps lose integrity, the hose is no longer properly secured — and in an exhaust system, that’s not something you want to gamble with.

➡️ Photo 2 – Main engine exhaust:
Here the hose itself is the issue. It’s kinked, reducing the internal diameter by roughly 50% at one point. That restriction increases exhaust backpressure and heat, which accelerates internal hose deterioration. This type of deformation shortens hose life significantly and can lead to premature failure.
In cases like this, replacement is not optional — it’s necessary.

💡 Big takeaway:
Even when the right components are installed, installation quality and surrounding hardware matter just as much. Exhaust systems run hot, move water, and live in harsh environments — small defects can turn into big problems quickly.

If you’re buying a boat or maintaining one, these are the kinds of details that only show up when someone is actually looking closely.

⚓ Sea Captain Marine Surveyor Inc.
Pre-purchase surveys • Insurance surveys • Sea trials
📍 Vancouver Island & beyond
🌐 www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca

08/05/2026

Golden hour in Tofino, BC 🌅
Twin Yamaha 90 HP outboards purring along with Strawberry Island off the stern and Lone Cone Mountain standing tall in the background. Calm water, clean air, and one of those moments that reminds you why boating on the West Coast is hard to beat.

Whether it’s a quick run through the harbour or a full sea trial, this is exactly the kind of setting where performance, handling, and setup really show themselves.

Thinking of buying? Insuring? Or just want a professional set of eyes on your vessel before the season gets busy?

🔍 Sea Captain Marine Surveyor Inc.
Pre-purchase • Insurance • Valuation
🌐 www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca

08/01/2026

These photos show gate valves installed on through-hull fittings—something I still see more often than I should during surveys.

Gate valves are not ideal for marine use. At a glance, it’s hard to tell whether they’re open or closed, especially in a tight bilge. Compare that to a ball valve:

Handle inline with the hose = open

Handle 90° across the hose = closed
Simple. Obvious. No guessing.

In one case here, the gate valve was corroded and seized, completely inoperable. In the other, a metal gate valve was threaded into a PVC fitting. That’s a problem. Mixing dissimilar materials can lead to issues over time—different thermal expansion rates and loads can cause the PVC fitting to crack or fail.

💡 Key takeaways:

Through-hull valves should be easy to identify, easy to operate, and fully functional

All components at the through-hull (valve, fitting, hose barb) should ideally be the same compatible material

Gate valves belong in plumbing—not below the waterline

Regular inspection is critical, especially before the season starts

Small components, big consequences if they fail.

If you’re buying a boat—or already own one and want peace of mind—this is exactly the kind of detail a proper marine survey looks for.

🔍 Sea Captain Marine Surveyor Inc.
Pre-purchase • Insurance • Valuation
🌐 www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca

07/29/2026

Beautiful Hunter 38 fin-keel fiberglass sailboat on the hard for a pre-purchase survey, including a full hull inspection. 👌
Hunter sailboats have a long history of building practical, comfortable cruisers with smart layouts and solid sailing manners. From coastal cruising to longer passages, the Hunter 38 is known for generous interior volume, good deck ergonomics, and a hull form that balances performance with comfort—one of the reasons you still see so many of them sailing worldwide.

For this inspection, the vessel was hauled to allow proper access to the underwater hull, keel, rudder, and through-hull fittings—because you can’t truly assess these critical areas while the boat is afloat. A haul-out isn’t just a checkbox; it’s where hidden issues (or peace of mind) usually show up.

Whether it’s a classic cruiser like this or a modern performance boat, a thorough pre-purchase survey helps buyers understand exactly what they’re getting into—no surprises after the deal is done.

🔍 Thinking of buying a sailboat?
Get it surveyed properly, from masthead to keel.

👉 Sea Captain Marine Surveyor Inc.
🌐 www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.com

07/25/2026

The photos shown here come from two different vessels, yet they highlight the same type of issue — exposed AC wires left unterminated, with bare conductors hanging loose. Unfortunately, this is something I come across more often than I should during inspections.

Any AC wiring should be:

Properly terminated with approved connectors

Fully enclosed and protected

Secured so it cannot move or contact other components

Loose or exposed AC conductors can:

Create short circuits

Present shock and fire hazards

Cause stray current corrosion, leading to hidden damage to underwater metals and fittings over time

⚠️ Important: Always verify whether wires are live before plugging into shore power. If you see exposed AC wiring inside a panel, it’s time to stop and investigate further.

This is exactly the kind of hidden safety issue a marine survey is meant to catch before it becomes dangerous or costly.

🔍 Sea Captain Marine Surveyor Inc.
Pre-purchase • Insurance • Valuation surveys
Serving Vancouver Island and coastal BC

🌐 www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.com

Address

Nanaimo, BC

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12502661522

Website

http://www.seacaptainmarinesurveyor.ca/

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