• The most comprehensive type of survey which is normally done prior to the purchase of a new or used boat. This should be an exhaustive inspection covering every detail affecting the boat's condition and safety including a thorough evaluation of all onboard systems, structural integrity of all components, extent of existing problems, suggestions for upgrades and needed repairs.

• The vessel is best inspected both in and out of the water and underway for a trial run.

• The pre-purchase survey also provides an estimate of fair market value to make sure you don't pay too much, along with an opinion of insurability and replacement cost.

• This inspection is required by insurance companies when a vessel is acquired and at periodic intervals thereafter to insure a safe risk for coverage.
  
  
• Many aspects of the pre-purchase inspection are covered, but with greater emphasis on potentially hazardous flaws and safety issues.
  
  
• Precise identification of all valuable gear and an opinion of the vessel's fair market value and insurability are always included.
  
  
• For older boats and new policies, insurance underwriters normally require a haulout inspection, but policy renewal surveys are typically completed in the water dockside.

• Similar in scope to the pre-purchase inspection, a pre-sale survey is ordered by the current owner who would like to document vessel condition and perhaps attend to repairs prior to listing his boat for sale.
  
  
• Listing brokers are happy for you to complete this inspection as they will use the report as an advertising tool which typically expedites the sale of your boat.
  
  
• Brokers will often reimburse all or part of your survey expense when the vessel sells.
  
  
• For a variety of reasons, this inspection report should not be used by a prospective buyer who should always commission and attend his own survey.

• In the event you can not travel to make a personal inspection of a boat for sale, a one or two hour onboard preliminary inspection can be completed to let you know if the vessel has any significant structural flaws or signs of neglect.
  
  
• This can help you decide to commit to a full survey or look elsewhere.

• The purpose of an appraisal is to establish a boat's fair market value pursuant to loan financing, estate settlements or donating the vessel.
  
  
• The scope is similar to that of an insurance survey, but can also include estimates as to how projected repairs or refits will change the boat's value.

• This inspection is usually ordered and paid for by your insurance company after a vessel has suffered a covered loss such as heavy grounding, collision, flooding, fire, lightning strike, storm or other damage.
  
  
• The surveyor's job is to insure the vessel is restored to her pre-loss condition at a fair price.
  
  
• The boat owner has the right to choose and pay his own surveyor for a second opinion, independent of whom the insurance company assigns.

• Rigging inspections aloft, corrosion and stray current testing, moisture metering, infrared thermography, ultrasound and other specific inspections are available.

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