Yacht Buyer’s Checklist: 10 Things to Check Before Paying for a Survey
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Buying a yacht is exciting, but it's also where expensive mistakes are made.
Many buyers arrive at a viewing, fall in love with the teak decks, imagine sunset anchorages, and overlook warning signs that could cost thousands of euros later.
A professional marine survey remains essential before purchase, but there is a lot you can check yourself during that very first visit. Spending an hour looking carefully around a yacht can save you the cost of surveying a vessel that clearly isn't worth pursuing.
Here are ten simple checks every prospective yacht buyer should carry out.
1. Trust Your Nose
One of the most powerful diagnostic tools on any boat is your sense of smell.
As soon as you step aboard, pay attention to unusual odours:
Diesel or fuel smells
Sewage odours
Damp or mould
Musty cabins
Burning electrical smells
A clean, dry yacht generally smells clean. Persistent odours often indicate leaks, poor maintenance, hidden water ingress, fuel system issues or sanitation problems.
2. Look Into the Bilges
Lift floorboards wherever possible.
The bilges often reveal more about a yacht's condition than the shiny topsides.
Look for:
Standing water
Oil contamination
Rust staining
Corrosion
Damaged hoses
Temporary repairs
A little water is not unusual. Dirty, oily or neglected bilges often suggest wider maintenance concerns.
3. Open Every Locker
Don't be shy.
Open every cupboard, locker and storage compartment.
You may discover:
Water ingress
Hidden damage
Soft timber
Mould growth
Corrosion
Poor repairs
Many expensive defects hide behind closed doors.
4. Check Doors and Drawers
Open and close all internal doors and drawers.
If they stick, bind or refuse to close properly, it may indicate:
Hull distortion
Structural movement
Moisture damage
Poor repairs
On older yachts, this can provide valuable clues about the vessel's overall condition.
5. Inspect the Engine Space
Even if you're not an engineer, you can learn a lot from a quick visual inspection.
Look for:
Oil leaks
Coolant leaks
Corrosion
Loose wiring
Belt condition
General cleanliness
Ask for maintenance records and servicing invoices.
A clean engine compartment usually reflects a conscientious owner.
6. Examine the Rigging
Standing rigging is one of the most expensive maintenance items on a sailing yacht.
Look for:
Broken wire strands
Corrosion around terminals
Bent fittings
Damaged turnbuckles
Signs of neglect
Most insurers expect standing rigging replacement approximately every 10 years unless supported by inspections and records.
Always ask when the rigging was last renewed.
7. Walk the Deck Barefoot
Your feet can often detect problems before your eyes.
Walk around carefully and feel for:
Soft spots
Excessive flexing
Local depressions
Cracks around fittings
Loose stanchions
Soft decks frequently indicate moisture intrusion into the core material and can become expensive repairs.
8. Look at the Waterline
Stand back and observe how the yacht sits in the water.
Ask yourself:
Is she sitting level?
Is one side lower?
Is the stern unusually low?
Does the boat appear overloaded?
An unusual trim angle may indicate water ingress, excessive equipment loading, or structural issues.
9. Test Everything
Don't assume equipment works simply because it is installed.
Operate:
Navigation lights
Windlass
Bilge pumps
Water pumps
Toilets
Refrigerator
Electronics
Autopilot
Many survey reports contain defects involving systems that owners believed were functioning correctly.
10. Ask These Three Questions
Before leaving, ask:
When was the standing rigging replaced?
When was the engine last professionally serviced?
Has the vessel ever been grounded, sunk, struck by lightning, or suffered storm damage?
The answers can reveal a great deal about the yacht's history.
Biggest Red Flags
Think carefully before progressing if you find:
Heavy dampness throughout the vessel
An engine that won't start
No maintenance records
Water-filled bilges with no explanation
Severe corrosion around keel bolts
Multiple systems not functioning
Fresh paint covering isolated areas
A seller unwilling to allow a survey or sea trial
Final Thoughts
The first viewing is not about deciding whether you love the yacht.
It is about deciding whether the yacht deserves a professional survey.
A good survey may uncover hidden defects, but these simple checks can help eliminate unsuitable boats before you spend money on inspections, travel, lifting fees and negotiations.
If something doesn't feel right, walk away. There will always be another yacht.
Steven Truss MIIMS
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