Boat Surveys Checklist

Xtreme Marine Surveying offers complete inspections of vessel hulls, engines, and all associated equipment. A marine survey is an assessment from an educated professional about the condition and value of a vessel at the time of inspection. There are guidelines used in the survey that help with many of the judgment calls. A survey report is useful for pre-purchase assessment, insurance, appraisal, and financing.

Buying a boat can be a daunting task, even if you have read many articles in our Boat buying section, and have fully taught yourself about the entry and exit of this experience. You have probably already learned that a boat survey is often helpful and / or necessary.

Before digging into the details, let's make a checklist of items included in the boat survey:

Verify boat ownership, by HIN (hull ID) and regional or state registration.

Check the hull for errors or damage.

Examine the hull and deck aloud for any flaws or damage by tapping the hammer, and listening for the difference in sound.

Check around the hull and deck, especially in suspected areas, for moisture meters (note that moisture meters can be difficult to define, and stupid and even aesthetic at times).

Check the hull-to-deck joint where possible, inside and out.

Inspect the power plant and if applicable, complete the compression test. Remember that some professional land surveyors cover electrical containers and some do not; In most cases this is best left to the mechanics.

Check the other components of the transmission system and / or gear.

Check the interior of the boat and check for damage and / or aging.

Check the fuel system, from tanks to engine (s)

Check the electrical system and all its components from electronic navigation to lighting.

Check all hull and seacock inserts.

Inspect plumbing systems and all their components, from bath pumps to commodes.

Where and when possible, check the cords under the deck and the main headings to get the shape of the structure.

In the case of boats, check the curve and related gear (wingers, lines, etc.).

Do a marine experiment.

Create a general report on the overall condition of the boat, the condition of care, and appearance.

Create a list of boat equipment, which shows the status of the specified equipment.

Create a report on major boat systems, such as propulsion, electricity, etc.

Create a list of items that need immediate repairs or replacements to operate the boat safely.

Clients will receive an emailed report along with key photos of problem areas. I am dedicated to helping buyers purchase their dream boat and owners to get the best market price.

That's quite a list — and it's also uplifting. In fact, exploring a boat is hard work that requires training, experience, and expertise. That is why professional marine biologists are accredited by one of two organizations: the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS).