The following are different references used for surveys. While the terms may vary, a surveyor still looks at the basic essentials of all boats: hull, engine (s), decks, electrical, fuel, marine waste, and water system. Sailboats also require the running and standing rigging to be inspected.

The degree of any inspection is dependant on what the customer requests, what the insurance /lending company requires, and the degree the vessel is ready for the survey.

Pre-Purchase Surveys

This is requested by the person purchasing the boat. The request is usually made AFTER a bid has been accepted by the seller. A Pre-Purchase Survey is a comprehensive inspection of the vessel. It generally involves the vessel being hauled out of the water for a bottom inspection, an inspection of the vessels systems, followed by a sea trial. Depending on the size of the vessel, this survey could take several hours to several days.

The Pre-Purchase Survey can also be also used by the insurance company and lending institution.

Insurance Survey (Sometimes referred to as a Condition and Value Survey)

Most insurance companies request owners of boats to have their vessel re-examined. This ranges anywhere from 3-5 years of continuous ownership of the boat. Though the basic survey is the same, an insurance company may not require the boat to be hualed out of the water or a sea trial.

You should work closely with your insurance company and inquire exactly they require and request your survey accordingly.

Limited Inspections.

Dockside Marine Survey offers potential buyers to have us do a limited inspection of their potential purchase. While this is NOT A FULL SURVEY, we will go down and use our moisture meter on the decks and perform visual inspections of the vessels systems. There may be some obvious signs that tell us to move on to the next choice. If we are retained to continue on and do the full survey, a partial credit will be applied to the bill. Please contact us to discuss how our limited surveys are a benefit to you.

Damage Claims

These are reports generally made for the insurance company. We respond to the boat, inspect the damage and then work with the owner, repair facility, and insurance company for the proper repair schedule to satisfy all parties involved.

We are sometimes retained in the event that an owner is in dispute of the proposed settlement. We will come in and work with the client to insure they are properly represented.

Oil Samples and Compression Test. A word about oil samples. Oil samples provide a BASE LINE for the performance of an engine (s). Unless we know when the oil was last changed, how many hours the vessel has been operated with the current oil, or if there has been any repairs to the engine, the first sample should be used as a baseline report. Oil samples should then be taken after new oil and filters have been replaced and taken several times afterwards on a schedule. This will now show a progression of any problem.

Compression test can be ordered at an additional cost per engine. While compression test do provide some information on the engine, Dockside Marine believes that having the engine perform up to its rated RPM during the sea trial, ensuring it is not over heating, and there are no leaks, is a better way to see how the engine is working. If, after the sea trial, there appears to be some concern of the engine(s) condition, we may recommend a compression test then.

Fees

There is a $250 minimum charge for Pre-Purchase and Insurance surveys. Additional costs depend on size of vessel, types of test requested, and travel. Dockside Marine Survey travels the New England region and beyond when requested. You may also contact Dockside Marine Survey for referrals in other regions of the country.

Limited Inspections have a much lower minimum fee due to the limited scope of inspection.