Why Have a Survey?
Buying a boat or yacht is a major investment. It makes sense to ensure that the vessel you are intending to buy does not have any unexpected problems or defects that will be expensive to rectify.
A surveyor will examine a boat from stem to stern for you, checking the condition of the basic structure of the boat. On a steel boat the hull is measured for residual plate thickness using an Ultrasonic Thickness testing meter to identify any areas that are corroded or wasted, and any pitting corrosion is measured for depth. On a GRP boat the hull is moisture tested to check for osmosis or other defects. Through hull fitting are checked for problems. In addition, all equipment that can be tested will be, including Safety equipment which will be checked for compliance. Rigging is checked from deck level. The condition of the interior will be noted, particularly important if the boat has previously been chartered.
A sea trial can be performed for you if specifically requested (for a modest fee) which will allow the engine, gear box, propulsion gear and other water-cooled equipment to be tested.
A report is then compiled, usually within 3 working days. You can recieve this in both digital and printed format. The report will list the condition of everything surveyed, plus recomendations for remedial actions. The report is compiled to meet the requirements of insurance companies. If you wish, a valuation can be provided for an additional fee.
A survey can give you peace of mind that the boat you are buying is sensibly priced for the condition it is in. It can alert you to any work that may be needed to ensure the boat is in an acceptable condition and can highlight areas that may need attention in the future. A survey provides invaluable information at the point of sale and in the long term will prove an extremely worthwhile investment.
Types of Survey
Peter Brookes surveys power and sailing vessels of Glass and Fibre-Reinforced Plastic, Steel, Aluminium and Timber construction throughout the UK, France and Spain, and elsewhere by arrangement.
- Pre-purchase Condition Surveys
- Valuations
- Basic Structural Survey
- Surveys for Insurance purposes
- Damage surveys
- Low cost overview, or walkthrough, survey to assist you in finding suitable vessel
- Oil & fuel sampling
- LPG installation survey and tightness testing
You can have confidence in your survey from a fully qualified yacht and small craft surveyor who is also Gas Safe registered.
Please download a survey contract here:
What survey do I need?
If you are purchasing a boat, and have a shortlist of a possible three, then a Walk-through Survey of each of the boats can be beneficial to identify the relative merits and problems of each boat, and their general condition and state of maintenance. This survey type is relatively inexpensive.
If you go on to have a Pre-purchase Survey on the same boat then the price of the Walk-through Survey will be discounted. Once you have chosen a boat to buy a Pre-Purchase survey will give you peace of mind before completing the purchase. This survey will involve a detailed examination of the structure of the hull, vessel and systems to identify any damage or defects that require repair. A detailed report is produced listing the findings and recommendations, and can be used to ensure the vendor has the repairs carried out prior to completion, or to negotiate a reduction in the price to take into account the cost of the repairs. If requested, a Valuation Report can be produced for a small additional cost.
Insurance companies occasionally require a survey report before providing insurance cover. The Insurance Survey is designed to meet their requirements.
A Damage Survey is to identify and document the nature and extent of any damage that a vessel has sustained, and is useful for obtaining quotations for repair work, or for any insurance company or third party involved.