Why you need your own pre-purchase survey
An independent survey is the cheapest protection you will buy. It shows what the boat is really like, what to fix, and what to ask the seller to pay for.
Updated 2 min read
Key points
- Hire a surveyor who works for you, not for the seller.
- The report gives you facts to renegotiate the price, or to walk away.
- Insurers and lenders often ask for a recent survey anyway.
What a survey tells you
A surveyor lifts the boat out of the water and inspects it from the keel up. They check the hull for moisture and osmosis, the keel and rudder, the engine and its running gear, the rigging, and the electrics and gas. Then they write a report that ranks every problem by how urgent it is.
Why it has to be your own
A survey ordered by the seller is not independent. Your surveyor has one client: you. They tell you what they see, even when the news is bad. We can suggest surveyors, and you hire and pay them yourself so the report is yours.
What happens after
Most purchase agreements make the sale subject to survey. If the report finds serious faults, you can ask for a lower price, ask the seller to repair them, or withdraw and have your deposit returned as your agreement allows. Many boats pass with a short list of small jobs, and then you know what the boat really costs to own.
Good to know
- The buyer normally pays for the survey and the haul-out.
- Choose a surveyor who knows the boat's type and material: GRP, steel, wood or catamaran.
- The sea trial is usually done on the same day.
- Keep the report. Insurers and lenders often ask for a recent survey.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.