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Professional marine services · Northeast Georgia
Clear answers before you buy, practical training after you take the helm, and dependable care between every day on the water.
Serving boaters on
Built around your boat
Whether you are considering a purchase, learning a new vessel or protecting your time on the water, SafeNav provides practical expertise you can use.
Comprehensive inspections and clear written reports that help buyers, owners, insurers and lenders make informed decisions.
Customized, on-water instruction aboard your vessel with Captain Jeff Perfater. Build real confidence with the systems and situations you actually face.
Routine vessel monitoring that helps identify small issues early and keeps your boat ready when you arrive at the dock.
Services & pricing
SafeNav publishes straightforward rates for marine surveys, captain training and Captain’s Watch. Optional and third-party services are identified separately.
Marine surveys
These rates apply to the four principal survey services listed below.
Captain’s training
A customized four-to-six-hour, on-water course taught aboard your own vessel.
Captain’s Watch
Recurring vessel monitoring designed to keep your boat ready and identify developing problems early.
Final scope and pricing are confirmed before work begins. Haul-out, laboratory analysis, outside technicians, fuel, pump-out and other third-party services may carry separate charges when required.
Yacht & small-craft surveys
SafeNav performs comprehensive, stem-to-stern inspections using modern reporting software. The purpose is to give you a clear picture of the boat’s condition, systems, safety concerns and value—not simply a checklist.
The most comprehensive survey for a prospective buyer. It includes visual inspection and operational testing of accessible equipment and systems aboard the vessel. A typical in-water survey begins at the slip, continues with a short haul for inspection of the hull and underwater gear, and concludes with relaunch and a sea trial. Most vessels can be completed in one day, although larger yachts may require additional time.
A survey represents the vessel’s condition at that moment. Permanently installed components are not dismantled solely to reach concealed areas, and future component life cannot be guaranteed.
The report does not declare a vessel “seaworthy,” because seaworthiness also depends on the crew, preparation and voyage—factors outside the scope of a condition survey.
Often requested specifically for insurance. Depending on the carrier, the vessel may be inspected afloat or ashore, and a sea trial or complete operational testing may not be required. Requirements differ by insurer, vessel age, size and construction material.
A limited insurance-focused report is not detailed enough to replace a pre-purchase survey when deciding whether to buy a vessel.
A professional inspection used by an insurer to assess condition, safety and value. It concentrates on critical areas such as the hull, propulsion, electrical systems and required safety equipment. The findings help an underwriter determine eligibility, premiums and repairs needed to reduce risks such as fire or sinking.
Engine analysis is available at the buyer’s request in three levels:
$300 per engine —
Complete analysis
Includes compression testing
on every cylinder, oil samples and a full computer diagnostic
on each engine.
$125 per engine — Compression
testing only
Includes compression testing
performed on every cylinder.
$75 per engine —
Oil analysis
Priced per sample. Rapid results
may require an additional fee.
These services provide a more complete picture of engine health than visual inspection alone.
Appraisal surveys establish vessel value for financing, estates, divorce settlements and charitable donations. Professional marine surveyors are recognized as boat and yacht appraisers by banks, courts and other institutions within their expertise.
Damage surveys document the nature, cause and extent of loss for owners, insurers and other interested parties. This work may involve tow or salvage operators, repair facilities and boatyards when repair costs must be established.
Captain’s training & new-boater orientation
Taught exclusively by Captain Jeff Perfater, this customized, on-water course helps new and continuing owners understand the specific systems, handling characteristics and responsibilities that come with their vessel.
Captain Jeff comes to your location and works with you aboard your own vessel. Notes are provided ahead of time so you can concentrate on learning instead of trying to write everything down.
The complete course generally lasts four to six hours, depending on your experience and vessel size. Pricing starts at $15 per foot of length overall. Schedule a time when you can give the course your full attention.
Many insurance carriers require on-water training and a captain’s sign-off. Upon completion, SafeNav can provide a sign-off letter for your insurer. Requirements and discounts are determined by the individual carrier.
Captain’s Watch vessel concierge
Captain’s Watch is a recurring vessel-monitoring service designed to spot developing problems, document the boat’s condition and reduce maintenance surprises. Service begins with an onboard consultation and a no-cost baseline inspection so SafeNav understands the vessel’s present condition and recommended priorities.
After every visit, you receive a detailed report describing what was checked, what was done and what should be addressed by your service professional.
Clogged A/C filters can overwork and prematurely destroy climate-control equipment. Blocked raw-water strainers can reduce cooling flow to engines, generators and A/C systems. Low battery-fluid levels can contribute to overheating, overcharging and catastrophic battery failure. Regular observation helps identify these conditions before they become expensive failures.
Experience you can trust
SafeNav is owned and operated by Captain Jeff Perfater, a USCG-licensed 200-Ton Master Captain based on Lake Lanier in North Georgia.
A lifelong boater with extensive inland and near-coastal experience, Jeff is also an ABYC Certified Yacht & Small Craft Survey Advisor and holds a USCG commercial towing endorsement.
“Jeff will tell you what you need to hear, followed by a highly detailed written report.”— Kevin C., survey client
Simple from the start
Share your vessel, location and goals.
We confirm scope, timing and pricing.
Receive expert guidance and documentation.
What boaters say
“Captain Jeff is a complete pro. He spent almost a full day on our boat confirming for us exactly what we were buying.”Kevin Copeland · Nashville, TN
“Thorough, knowledgeable and extremely professional. His services provided a level of confidence in moving forward with our purchase.”Andrew Fruechnicht · Columbus, OH
“This was worth every penny. Jeff explains everything with extreme detail and includes great tips on how to save thousands in maintenance.”Kelly Copeland · Nashville, TN
Let's talk about your boat
Complete the short form and SafeNav will follow up about your vessel and scheduling. Prefer to talk now? Call 770-530-4797.