Pulling Steel Boat Nails

The best method to remove steel boat nails - spikes is to tack weld a carriage bolt onto the exposed end of the fastener (I use a small inverter welder and 1/16" rod to tack weld a 1/4" X 3" carriage bolt - I like the flat head of the carriage bolt as it mates to the pulling hook on the slide hammer). This trick works well - but be extremely carefully not to catch the planks on fire and or tear up the boat (watch for plank - frame movement). If the fastener does not want to move - leave it alone. If and when it comes out - inspection is straight forward. I usually use hot dipped lag screws to replace removed fasteners. Make sure to check the frame for condition and serviceability (does the fastener harden up in the frame).

Survey Class Schedule

Introduction to the Art of Marine Survey -Yachts and Small Craft

28 June to 2 July 2010 – 0830 to 1700

Nordby Conference Center – Fishermen’s Terminal

Seattle, Washington

Monday

- Welcome and course introduction

- Marine survey and the role of the marine surveyor

- Accreditation societies (SAMS, NAMS)

- Vessel types and descriptions

- Nature of observations and findings

- Lunch

- Tools used in marine survey work

- Wooden vessel construction, deficiencies, and inspection techniques – guest speaker

- Wooden vessel fastenings

Tuesday

- Recap of previous day

- Wooden vessel fastening inspection techniques

- Observation and recommendations regarding refastening

- Galvanic Corrosion

- Lunch

- Galvanic Corrosion

- Use of USCG Navigation - Vessel Inspections Circulars (NVIC) as guidance in survey work

- Fiberglass vessel construction, deficiencies, and inspection techniques

- Use of electronic moisture meters

- Observations

Wednesday

- Recap of previous day

- Steel and aluminum vessel construction, deficiencies, and inspection techniques

- Use of ultrasonic NDT hull shell thickness measurements

- Vessel stability observations

- Sail rig inspection – guest speaker

- Lunch

- Overview of damage surveys

- Review of ABYC, NFPA, and CFR standards and recommended practices for yachts and small craft

- Commercial vessel inspection – passenger and fishing (flag administration classification and certification schemes – regulations - USCG, DNV, ABS, Lloyds)

Thursday

- Recap of previous day

- Marine machinery inspection – guest speaker

- Lunch

- Survey reports – content and use of work product by clients, marine lenders, insurance underwriters, and marine trade professional – guest speakers

- Review of survey reports – nature of minimum content

- Value surveys (Fair Market Value – Best and Highest Use – Comparative Sales)

Friday

- Recap of previous day

- Boat yard inspections

- Lunch

- Preparation of group reports on findings

- Presentation of group reports

- Presentation of Certificates of Completion

Cost: USD$ 500.00/pp (includes training materials) – please register and pay online at www.zenithmaritime.com. Please click on registration tab at home page – enter marine survey class in location field. Registration –

Marine Survey Class - Yachts and Small Craft

Zenith Maritime's School of Marine Arts is pleased to announce an introduction to marine survey class starting 28 June 2010 at Fishermen's Terminal - Seattle. This is a week long, 40-hour class covering wood, fiberglass, and metal vessels, systems - machinery inspection, regulations, and report writing. Cost $500 which includes all materials - for more information contact john@zenithmaritime.com.