Pre-Survey Checklist

After our initial phone consultation, we’ll schedule your survey for a date and time that’s convenient for everyone.

During a pre-purchase survey, it is recommended that the buyer, owner, and broker be present. Having the vessel prepared for inspection and making all areas easily accessible by the owner or the owner’s representative helps reduce inspection time, avoid additional expenses, and ensure a smooth and efficient survey process. For the safety of everyone aboard and to minimize distractions during the inspection, please do not bring pets or children to the survey.

Review Our Pre-Survey Checklist Before Your Scheduled Inspection.​​

  • It is recommended that your Offer to Purchase include a “Subject to Satisfactory Survey” contingency. This provision allows you to evaluate the vessel’s condition before completing the purchase and helps protect your interests if significant deficiencies are discovered during the survey.

  • Please provide the exact location where the survey will begin. Include the marina or boatyard name, dock, slip number, building, or any other relevant location details to help ensure a timely and efficient start to the inspection.

  • If a sea trial is to be conducted, the vessel owner, broker, owner-authorized operator, or licensed captain must be present to operate the vessel. It is the client’s responsibility to make these arrangements prior to the scheduled survey.

  • It is the client’s responsibility to coordinate with the marina and vessel owner to schedule the vessel’s haul-out for bottom inspection. Unless otherwise agreed in advance, all haul-out, launch, and related marina fees are the responsibility of the client.

  • Ensure the vessel is prepared and operational for the sea trial:

    • Present a clean boat with covers removed and lockers that are clear of equipment. All unnecessary gear and personal items that are not intended to be sold with the vessel should be removed.
    • The bottom of the vessel should be clean prior to the survey, either by pressure washing or cleaned by a diver before the inspection. Preparing the bottom in advance helps maximize the efficiency of the survey and minimizes delays during the haul-out process.
    • The vessel should have an adequate supply of fresh fuel, fully charged batteries, and all required safety equipment on board. Safety equipment should be readily accessible and have current, unexpired inspection or service dates where applicable for sea trial.
    • All the keys to the engine, engine room, cabin, and lockers must be onboard.
    • Have all previous surveys, maintenance records, registration, documentation, and miscellaneous gear ready.
    • Shore power and power cord should be available to test AC electrical components. Note: If shore power is unavailable at the survey location, AC electrical systems may not be fully tested unless the vessel is equipped with a functional onboard generator.
    • Freshwater tank should have an adequate supply of water to test the sanitation system components.
    • Please do not start engines prior to the survey. Valuable information is obtained from how engines start from a cold state.

  • Minor dismantling of vessel fixtures is not included as part of a standard marine survey. If removal of interior ceilings, headliners, flooring, cabinetry, or other permanent fixtures is requested by the client or required to investigate a suspected issue, the client or vessel owner is responsible for arranging a qualified professional to perform the removal and reinstallation. Written authorization from the vessel owner may be required before any dismantling is performed. Any dismantling must be coordinated with the scheduled survey to avoid delays or interruptions to the inspection process.

Survey Inspection

The client, owner, and broker are welcome to attend the inspection.

The length of time needed to conduct the survey will depend upon the type of survey, and the size and condition of the vessel.

The survey routine for a boat already in the water at a dock is as follows:

  1. Inspection at the dock with engines cold.
  2. Sea trial the boat to the marina for a “short haul out” inspection to see the bottom.
  3. Launch the boat and continue sea trial.
  4. Any further inspections needed (such as engine diagnostics) back at the dock.

The survey routine for a boat already on a trailer or boat lift is as follows:

  1. Meet at the boat ramp and keep the boat on the trailer and dry upon arrival for bottom inspection. OR Meet at the boat lift and raise the boat as high as possible and keep dry upon arrival for bottom inspection.
  2. Launch the boat to begin sea trial.
  3. Inspection during sea trial.
  4. Any further inspections (such as engine diagnostics) needed back at the boat ramp or boat lift.

All components of the interior and exterior of your boat will be inspected for compliance with the current boating safety standards set by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), as well as U.S. Coast Guard standards.

I will refer to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as it pertains to the safe operation of the vessel and its systems.

All cosmetic, functional, and safety issues on the boat will be documented, photographed, and provided to the client in a detailed survey report.

Survey Report

An emailed survey report is provided to the client usually within two business days. This report can then be used to make educated decisions on purchasing, selling, insuring, or financing your boat in a timely manner following the survey.

The report will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the vessel utilizing the mandatory standards, laws, regulations, and recommended practices. A list of findings and recommendations for deficiencies will be included in the report. The survey will report the overall condition of the vessel, physical appearance, electrical equipment, and geographic location, to determine the estimated fair market value of the vessel. ​​

Photos will be provided electronically with all survey reports. If an engine evaluation was requested, engine diagnostic results will be included with the report. If requested, oil sample results will be sent usually within 3 business days.

A marine survey is the assessment of the surveyor that inspected the craft as to the conditions that existed on the craft at the time of the inspection. It is not a guarantee, warranty, or insurance policy.​ The survey report will only be provided to the client who requests the survey.

Payment

The cost of a marine survey varies with the type of boat, size, age, and location, as well as the type of survey requested. Investing in a professional marine survey with Xtreme Marine Surveying can have the benefit of saving you much larger repair or maintenance costs down the road.

A survey can often times save buyers money as we typically identify deficiencies that lead to a reduction in the purchase price.

Complimentary quotes will be provided to clients following a discussion of the survey request, which will outline what specific services will be provided.

Full payment is required by 6:00 PM the day before the scheduled survey if paying by credit card, PayPal, or Zelle, or if you will not be present during the inspection. Payment in advance secures your appointment on the schedule. Xtreme Marine Surveying reserves the right to cancel the survey appointment if payment has not been received by the required deadline.

If you will be present for the survey and paying with cash, full payment is accepted at the beginning of the inspection.

The completed survey report will be provided after full payment has been received.

Acceptable forms of payment include:

  • Cash

  • Zelle

  • PayPal

  • Credit Card

Survey cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled inspection will be refunded, less any applicable credit card processing fees. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled survey, as well as no-shows or cancellations after travel has begun, will be subject to a $200 cancellation fee. Any remaining balance will be refunded, less applicable processing fees.

The surveyor reserves the right to cancel or postpone a survey due to inclement weather, unsafe vessel conditions, hazardous working conditions, or circumstances that prevent the survey from being performed safely and professionally.

Any requested re-inspection or return visit to the vessel after the initial survey will incur a minimum charge of $600. This includes circumstances where the survey cannot be completed during the initial visit because the vessel is not prepared for inspection, such as when a sea trial cannot be performed and must be scheduled for another day, or when a follow-up inspection is requested to verify that deficiencies have been corrected after repairs are completed.

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Xtreme Marine Surveying provides professional surveys for all major boat and engine manufacturers.

Call Before You Buy A Used Boat!

Call Before You Buy A Used Boat!

Boat surveys provide:

  • Peace of Mind

  • Negotiating Power

  • The Information Needed To Make An Informed Decision

Don’t make a boat purchase without one!