Marine surveys
The right survey for the decision in front of you.
Buying, insuring, or recovering from damage, each calls for a different kind of survey. Here’s what each one covers, what it costs you in time, and what we need from you to get it done right the first time.
Which survey do I need?
| Pre-purchase | Condition & valuation | Damage claim | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Buyers and their lenders | Owners, insurers, lenders | Owners and insurance adjusters |
| When | After your offer is accepted, before closing | New policy, renewal, or refinancing | After an incident, before repairs begin |
| Haul-out | Yes | Often, or a recent bottom inspection | If damage is below the waterline |
| Sea trial | Yes | Not usually | As needed |
| You receive | Condition report and fair market value | Condition report and value for underwriting | Cause, extent, and repair cost estimate |
01 · Most requested
Pre-Purchase Survey
The most complete inspection we do, and the one we recommend for any used boat purchase. It tells you what you’re actually buying, what it’s worth, and what needs fixing before you hand over the money.
Most buyers use the report to renegotiate price, ask the seller to complete repairs before closing, or satisfy their lender and insurer.
Hull & structure
Percussion sounding and moisture readings to find delamination and wet core; stringers, bulkheads, transom, and deck.
Out of the water
Bottom, blisters, running gear, props, shafts, struts, rudders, and every through-hull fitting.
Systems
AC and DC electrical, fuel system, steering and controls, bilge pumps, plumbing, and gas and CO detection.
Safety equipment
U.S. Coast Guard required gear: life jackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals, sound signals, navigation lights.
Sea trial
Performance across the RPM range, maximum RPM against spec, temperatures, handling, vibration, and leaks under way.
Valuation
Fair market value based on the boat’s condition and comparable sales.
Engines: A hull survey checks how the engines appear, but it isn’t a mechanical teardown, and we are not mechanics. On all boats, we recommend a separate engine survey and oil analysis by a qualified technician.
02 · Insurance & financing
Condition & Valuation Survey
Insurers and lenders often ask for one when you buy, renew a policy, or refinance, especially for older or higher-value boats. Each insurer sets its own rules, so check what yours requires and how recent the survey must be.
What it covers
- Overall condition of hull, deck, and structure
- Electrical and fuel systems, with attention to fire and flooding risks underwriters care about
- Safety equipment and Coast Guard compliance
- Current market and replacement value
- A prioritized list of recommendations your insurer may ask you to complete
03 · After an incident
Damage Claim Survey
Storms, groundings, sinkings, fires, and collisions. We document what happened, what was damaged, and what it will take to repair, so your claim moves faster and nothing gets missed.
Call us before repairs start. Once damage is repaired or removed, it can’t be documented.
What it covers
- Cause of loss and how the damage occurred
- Extent of damage, documented with photographs
- Repair recommendations and cost estimates
- Coordination with your insurance adjuster when requested
Before survey day
What we need from you
A boat that isn’t ready costs you a second trip. Please confirm each of these before we arrive.
Owner’s permission
The owner or listing broker must approve the survey, haul-out, and sea trial.
Haul-out scheduled
You book the haul-out with the yard and pay their fees directly. We can recommend yards in our area.
Someone to run the boat
The owner, broker, or a captain operates the boat during the sea trial, and brings the keys.
Charged and fueled
Batteries charged, enough fuel for a full sea trial, and shore power available at the dock.
Clear access
Lockers, hatches, and engine spaces emptied enough for us to see the hull, wiring, and fuel system.
Paperwork
Registration or USCG documentation, hull identification number (HIN), maintenance records, and any previous surveys.
Weather and safety come first. If conditions aren’t safe for a haul-out or sea trial, we’ll reschedule. See our Terms & Conditions for information on our survey and report.
The standards we survey to
We evaluate each vessel against recognized industry standards as they apply to it: the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standards, NFPA 302 for fire protection on pleasure motor craft, and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
Common questions
How long does a survey take?
It depends on the boat’s size and complexity. Most surveys take 5–7 hours on site, plus the haul-out and sea trial. Larger yachts can take a full day or more.
Should I be there?
For a pre-purchase survey, yes, if you can. You’ll learn more about the boat in a few hours with us than in months of ownership, and you can ask questions as we go.
Who pays for the haul-out?
The client. Haul-out and yard fees are paid directly to the yard and aren’t included in our survey fee.
Can I use a pre-purchase survey for my insurance and loan?
Usually, yes. A pre-purchase survey includes the condition and value information insurers and lenders ask for. Check with yours to confirm.
Who gets a copy of the report?
You do. The report is prepared for you, the client, and we don’t share it with the seller, broker, or anyone else without your permission.
When will I get my report?
Within 5 business days of the survey. If you’re up against a closing date, tell us when you book and we’ll do our best to meet it.