Boathouses, because of their close proximity to water, need especially to be inspected for integrity and condition. Crib based boathouses are like crib based docks in that the underwater portions, the things hardest to see, are the most important to the longevity of the construction.
All my Boathouse and Dock Inspections include inspection via underwater camera where applicable and provided water clarity allows it. I will also use a glass bottom viewer where necessary to give me a better picture of the underpinnings of boathouses and lifts.
Note: Docks attached to boathouses are included as part of the Boathouse Inspection.
I will do boathouse inspections at any time, however, larger boathouses I try to inspect in the warmer season. It has come to pass that I needed to go in the water to completely inspect a multi slip boathouse pilings and the owners were not available to move the antique boats. I won't do that again in October Burrrr!. For liability reasons I cannot move boats around so the dock/ slip areas should be clear at the time of inspection.
Boat lifts need careful inspection for functionality, wear, and condition. They can be a major expense as many manufactures are no longer in business, parts can be impossible to get, there are few people repairing them, and they can be very expensive to replace.
