SAMS Yacht and Small Craft Surveyors 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When surveying osmotic blistering on a fiberglass hull, which instrument is most appropriate for measuring moisture content?
- Pinhole moisture meter
- Capacitance-type moisture meter (Correct answer)
- Infrared thermometer
- Ultrasonic thickness gauge
Correct answer: Capacitance-type moisture meter
Capacitance-type moisture meters are the standard tool for non-destructive assessment of moisture content in fiberglass laminates.
Question 2: A surveyor finds that a vessel's keel bolts are made of silicon bronze while the keel itself is cast iron. What is the primary concern?
- Bronze is too soft for keel attachment
- Galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals (Correct answer)
- Bronze bolts have insufficient tensile strength
- Iron and bronze expand at different rates causing leaks
Correct answer: Galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals
Dissimilar metals in contact in the presence of an electrolyte (seawater) create a galvanic cell, causing accelerated corrosion of the less noble metal.
Question 3: Under the ABYC standards, what is the minimum wire gauge required for DC circuits up to 15 amperes in a marine environment?
- 18 AWG
- 16 AWG
- 14 AWG (Correct answer)
- 12 AWG
Correct answer: 14 AWG
ABYC E-11 specifies that 14 AWG is the minimum conductor size for most protected DC circuits carrying up to 15 amperes.
Question 4: When inspecting a vessel's standing rigging, a surveyor notes '1x19' wire rope. What does this designation indicate?
- 1 core strand with 19 outer strands
- 1 wire rope with 19mm diameter
- 19 wires in a single strand construction (Correct answer)
- 1 layer of 19 individual strands
Correct answer: 19 wires in a single strand construction
1x19 wire rope consists of 19 individual wires twisted into a single strand, providing high strength and low stretch ideal for standing rigging.
Question 5: A surveyor discovers that a boat's through-hull fitting below the waterline is made of plastic (PVC). What is the correct recommendation?
- Acceptable if the PVC is Schedule 80
- Acceptable only for freshwater vessels
- Recommend replacement with a seacock and bronze or Marelon fitting (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if a gate valve is installed above it
Correct answer: Recommend replacement with a seacock and bronze or Marelon fitting
ABYC and SAMS standards require seacocks on below-waterline through-hulls; PVC fittings are not approved for this application due to brittleness and UV degradation risk.
Question 6: What type of survey is typically conducted when a boat is used as collateral for a marine mortgage?
- Damage survey
- Insurance survey
- Appraisal survey (Correct answer)
- Pre-purchase survey
Correct answer: Appraisal survey
An appraisal survey establishes fair market value of the vessel, which is required by lenders to confirm adequate collateral for a marine mortgage.
Question 7: When evaluating a sailboat's stability, which factor most directly relates to its resistance to capsizing?
- Length-to-beam ratio
- Ballast-to-displacement ratio (Correct answer)
- Sail area-to-displacement ratio
- Freeboard height
Correct answer: Ballast-to-displacement ratio
A higher ballast-to-displacement ratio lowers the center of gravity and increases the righting moment, directly improving resistance to capsizing.
SAMS Yacht and Small Craft Surveyors 2
When surveying osmotic blistering on a fiberglass hull, which instrument is most appropriate for measuring moisture content?