Speak to a surveyor
Buy with confidence. Know your boat. Practical insights from Ocean Marine Surveyors on boat buying, marine surveys, insurance requirements, and the hidden issues that can lead to costly repairs.
The HIN is your boat’s fingerprint. Here’s how a surveyor records and verifies it, how documentation and registration differ, and why mismatches are red flags.
Ground tackle is a safety system, not just gear. Here’s what a surveyor checks — anchor, rode, shackles, windlass, bitter-end, and whether it suits the boat.
A boat propane system carries real explosion risk if it’s not installed to ABYC A-1. Here’s what a surveyor checks — vented locker, solenoid, hoses, and leak test.
Navigation lights must meet COLREGS and USCG rules for your vessel size. Here’s what a surveyor checks — configuration, visibility, wiring, and function.
Bilge pumps, float switches, wiring, and high-water alarms are safety-critical survey items. Here’s what a surveyor checks on a boat’s dewatering system and why.
Bottom paint condition, buildup, and barrier coats are common survey observations. Here’s what a surveyor notes about antifouling and what it can hide.
Rudder blades, stocks, and bearings are common survey findings below the waterline. Here’s what a surveyor checks for water intrusion, cracks, and play.
Standing rigging, running rigging, the mast, and chainplates all get checked in a sailboat survey. Here’s what surveyors look for and when to hire aloft.
Ports, hatches, and windshields are prime leak points on a boat. Here’s how failed bedding and gaskets cause water intrusion and what surveyors check.
Cleats, stanchions, and rails do more than hold gear — they load the deck and can leak into the core. Here’s what surveyors check on boat deck hardware.
