Buying your first boat is usually a significant purchase and slightly daunting. Buying any boat, can be a significant investment. My role as a Marine Surveyor is to look over all aspects of the boat and report on its condition, systems and what needs doing. My reports are in plain English and are often used to discuss prices with the broker, raise finance and obtain insurance. You already know how important a comprehensive and thorough survey is. From me you will get my “plain English” approach with feedback on your potential purchase. Rest assured my surveys are fair, realistic, pragmatic and explain to the potential purchaser all my findings. I never scaremonger, I simply seek to provide a fair survey, that assists the purchaser and the broker, and ensures the purchaser buys with his eyes open. I work with yourself and with brokers to suit required timescales and reporting requirements.

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Please email me at steventruss1@aol.com and I will forward you a 'Sample Marine Survey Report' so you can see the details in full listed below.

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WHAT IS COVERED BY A PRE PURCHASE SURVEY?

·         Identification of vessel.

·         External hull and hull structure.

·         Internal structure and stiffening.

·         Internal fit out and joinery.

·         Underwater sections.

·         Moisture reference readings.

·         Keel, ballast & keel fixings.

·         Rudder and steering system.

·         Stern gear & stern gland and sail drive.

·         Cathodic protection.

·         Skin fittings and sea valves.

·         Hull fittings.

·         Hull to deck joint.

·         Deck structure, coach roof and cockpits.

·         Deck fittings, handrails & stanchions.

·         Hatches doors and port lights.

·         Ground tackle.

·         Anchoring and mooring arrangements.

·         Exhaust system.

·         Fuel system installation.

·         Bilge and pumping systems.

·         Toilet system installation.

·         Fresh water system installation.

·         Gas system installation.

·         Ventilation.

·         Fire safety and equipment.

·         Electrical system installation.

·         Low voltage systems.

·         240 v systems.

·         Navigation systems.

·         Domestic systems.

·         Additional comment on cosmetics.

·         Safety equipment.

·         Maintenance advice and requirements.

·         Overall comment.

·         Market valuation.

·         Assistance throughout the purchase.

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When you want to insure a boat, or have to renew an existing policy, your insurance company will need an Insurance Survey in order to determine its insurability for the intended use. This type of survey is often referred to as a Condition and Valuation Survey. The scope of an Insurance Survey approaches a Pre-Purchase Survey, but its focus is on structural integrity and safety and it is less detailed. An assessment of the boat's Fair Market Value is part of this type of survey. 

An Insurance Survey requires several hours, depending on the complexity and condition of the boat. My survey report is similar to a report for a Pre-Purchase Survey, but somewhat less detailed.

A Damage Survey is usually commissioned by a specific insurance company as part of a claim investigation. Its function is to establish the extent of the damage and to give an estimate of the cost of repair. In such circumstances, the Surveyor acts as the Underwriter's eyes and ears. The Surveyor works in liaison with the insured, the repair facility and all the relevant participants.

Sea trials are conducted to measure the vessel's performance and general seaworthiness. Testing of the vessel's speed, manoeuvrability, equipment and safety features are also conducted. 

Valuations are an assessment of the market value of the vessel at that point in time based on the type and condition of your yacht and a willing buyer and seller. The assessment includes a brief inspection of the vessel to assess the general condition. An exercise then follows where it is compared to other vessels in similar condition and locations and a monitory value that could be achieved is then defined.

Hull condition surveys/osmosis checks are limited surveys, focusing exclusively on the condition and integrity of the vessel's hull. We will start by removing multiple areas of antifouling, as this is necessary to inspect the gelcoat surface for signs of wicking or blistering, and relative moisture content will be measured using a Sovereign moisture meter. Where necessary, we can advise on the required treatment options, and oversee the repair work, signing off on each of the key stages.

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If you would like more information about a particular service please get in touch.

Our Seller’s Survey assists the yacht owner or broker in gaining an independent insight into the condition of his yacht and protect his interests throughout the sales process. This will also enable the seller to address any issues found that would result in a negotiated reduction in price, all findings are totally confidential.

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Stage 1: We inspect the vessel either in and/or out of the water with particular attention given to any aspects that may become potential issues during the sales process. The process can be as little as a walk through half day review of the vessel through to a full pre-purchase survey with sea trials.

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Stage 2: We issue you with a confidential condition report including a market value if requested. Whilst the report is confidential we will allow the owner to use the report as part of the sales material.

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Stage 3 (optional): If serious defects are found, we can arrange for the repairs before sales viewings commence, or manage the process at the shipyard for the owner at an extra cost. We can also return to inspect post repairs ensuring works are completed to a satisfactory standard if the owner chooses to manage works himself.

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Stage 4: We attend all or part of the pre-purchase survey on the seller’s behalf to ensure that all procedures are carried out correctly and any findings or defects discovered are substantiated. In the event of a legal dispute we provide an expert witness service on the owner’s behalf.

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Inventory Service: A full or partial inventory of the vessel’s equipment and interior furnishings can also be provided.