Pre Purchase Survey

Pre-Purchase Yacht Survey Services You Can Trust

Buying a yacht is a major decision, one that must be made with assurance rather than speculation. The trusted Pre-Purchase Yacht Survey at Wainui Marine Surveying will unveil what is hidden below the surface. Be it a small cruiser or a high-value luxury yacht, find assurance with our condition-based inspections before making a purchase.

Our clientele includes yacht buyers, brokers, insurers, and financial institutions across Savannah, Hilton Head, Charleston, and Jacksonville, and other Southeastern coastal areas.

Why Choose Wainui for Pre-Purchase Marine Surveys?

Our marine surveyors are professionals who have many years of practical experience at sea and are knowledgeable in surveying standards in the industry. We do not merely inspect boats; we validate investment, assess integrity, and isolate risks before your investment. We are your trusted pre-purchase surveyor for large yachts and small vessels alike.

What sets us apart?

• Full records of pre-purchase surveys

• Haul-out and sea trials inspections

• Marine engine/propulsion system examinations

• Fair market value analysis and replacement cost analysis

• Reports and insurance that are compliant with lenders

Our surveys are widely used in the industry and are considered accurate, objective, and clear.

What’s Included in Our Pre-Purchase Yacht Survey?

Each yacht is unique, and our surveys are made to each specific yacht based on the construction of the vessel, size, age, and purpose. Be it's your first boat or having a variety of older boats, our association is designed to give you a clearer understanding before ownership. Our firm does thorough reviews in three broad steps:

1. Haul-Out Inspection

• Hull and deck laminates – cracks, dents, abrasion inspection

• Moisture meter - determine moisture readings in the hull laminate

• Acoustic sounding to determine structural integrity

• Keel

• Possible blistering or osmosis

• Paint condition and antifouling coverage

• Running gear – shafts, props, and rudders

• Bow thruster

• Zinc anodes

• Through hull penetrations

• Sea cocks – exercise valves

2. Dockside Inspection

• Interior visual inspection

• Moisture meter - to determine moisture content in the topsides and deck

• Internal frames/bulkheads/stringers and supporting structures

• Deck fittings, lifelines, stanchions, lifelines, mooring cleats

• Anchor, windlass, and anchor rode

• Rudder quadrant and steering system

• Accommodation spaces

• Galley equipment

• Safety equipment

• Fire Equipment

• Navigation equipment

• Electrical systems

• Electronic equipment

• Sanitation equipment, including holding tanks. Conformity to USCG regulations

• LPG and/or CNG systems

• Furnishings

• Coverings

• Cockpit enclosures

• Canvas

3. Sea Trial Inspection

• 30 to 40 minutes at normal cruising speed

• Engine instrumentation and control checks

• Engine block and exhaust temperature measurements

• Alternator output tested

• Engine exhaust system inspected

• Full power rpm noted

• Cruising and full power speed logged

• Hard over to hard over steering test

• Emergency stop

• Steering astern

• Auto pilot tested

• Stabilisers tested

• Anchor lowered and raised

These surveys are supplemented with photographic records and an inventory of equipment.

Marine Engine Survey: The Propulsion Deep Dive

The Marine Engine Survey is conducted in pre-purchase inspections as a visual evaluation of the vessel's propulsion system. This service includes:

• Condition of Engine and Transmission: Checking for any sign of wear, corrosion, and integrity of the whole system.

• Drive Train, Shaft Seals, and Bearings: Check for proper alignment and operational stability.

• Engine Mounts: Those will be surveyed for structural integrity and to limit vibrations.

• Oil and Coolant Leakages: Exterior leak points are identified as potential indicators of internal problems.

Depending on a particular vessel, we will advise you on whether it's worth carrying out a survey and approximately how much it would cost. A boat without an engine inspection is like buying a car without popping the hood. It is hard to go wrong with an engine survey.

Post-Survey Reporting: Making the Difference in Documentation

After you have been shown around, we will give you an extensive Pre-Purchase Survey Report detailing:

• Status of the major systems

• Notes on shortcomings and photographs

• Fair Market Value and Replacement Cost estimates

• Recommended repair and upgrade list

• Past maintenance (or lack of) observations

This report is critical during negotiations of prices, financing, insurance, and legal filings.

The Power of a Pre-Purchase Survey in Negotiation

Our pre-purchase surveys place the buyer at an advantage over negotiations. And when a survey shows evidence of wear, safety concerns, or aged systems, buyers can typically utilize our report to:

• Reduce the cost of purchase

• Demand that repairs be paid by the seller

• Back out of deals that have an expensive risk to give!

If you require a survey for insurance, financing, or your peace of mind, Wainui Marine Surveying is the name to trust.

Pre-Sale Marine Survey on Sellers

Selling your boat? A clean and recent survey secures buyer confidence, aids in selling the asking price, and decreases your marketing time. We assist the sellers:

• Notice problems before listing

• Concentrate on value-added repairs

• Show potential buyers independent third-party documentation

Pre-Purchase Boat Inspection: Who We Serve?

Our pre-purchase inspections regarding boat surveys and yacht surveys at Wainui Marine Surveying are relied upon by many diverse customers throughout the marine sector. At any stage of purchasing, brokering, financing, and insuring vessels, our in-depth pre-purchase boat surveys will inform better decisions, transactions, and investments.

Boat Buyers

A vessel is a big investment- and in many cases, an emotional purchase. We offer non-biased surveys and data-supported surveys that reveal internal flaws, structural worries, and engine performance problems before your commitment. With our reports, you can make safer purchases, negotiate more effectively, and eliminate surprises after purchase that may cost you a lot.

Yacht Dealers and Brokers

We assist in the acquisition of third-party assessments of brokers and dealers that create confidence with buyers and ease negotiations. A thorough pre-purchase report will ensure your listing, support asking prices, and assist in lowering losses due to buyer indecisiveness. It is an effective way to conduct more rapid and easier closings.

Insurance Providers

Our condition and valuation surveys are industry-acknowledged and are format-approved. We assist insurance brokers in deciding on the insurability and risks of a vessel by confirming the true state of the boat, safety equipment, and conformance with marine safety regulations.

Financial Institutions

Our certified surveys are used by the lending institutions to confirm the title, identify a fair market value, and the fair condition of the collateral before offering loans. Our documentation provides all the necessary information required in financing decisions, making the lending process a lot safer, transparent, and efficient.

Our Marine Surveyors: An Experience That Shows

Our survey team is composed of highly trained individuals with certifications in marine surveying and vessel inspection, propulsion systems. Every survey is carried out according to international survey requirements with:

• Testing tools per-industry standard

• Sea-time acquired over decades

• Speedy turnaround and transparent reporting

• Documented and fully insured inspections

Purchase Survey Costs and Planning

The cost of a survey corresponds, therefore, to the type, size, age of the vessel, and the extent of the survey to be conducted. Things that can affect your quote:

• Single and multihull structures

• Access to haul-out facilities

• Surveyor base distance

• Power unit and complexity of the engine

We offer up-front pricing and a time frame to suit your needs.

Get a Quality Pre-Purchase Boat Inspection

We do not do superficial inspections at Wainui Marine Surveying. Planning to purchase, sell, or assess the current condition of a vessel? Our Pre-Purchase Yacht Survey service first makes sure that your next marine-related decision is thoroughly informed.

Our clients are served proudly in:

Savannah | Hilton Head | Charleston | Jacksonville | Brunswick and the Coastal U.S. Ports

Are you ready to get ahead? Contact us today to get your quote.

We will guide you in how to look smart, shop smart, and sail safely.

FAQs

1. Should I have a marine survey when purchasing a boat?

Yes. A pre-purchase marine survey is an in-depth, independent inspection of the vessel, its condition, systems, and valuation. It assists in detecting underlying problems and is usually demanded by insurance companies and financial institutions before a sale is finalized.

2. What is the difference between a haul-out and a sea trial?

A haul-out examination is a review of the hull integrity below the waterline performed by hoisting the boat out of the water. A sea trial takes place on the way to test the propulsion, steering, and performance of the vessel in real-time working conditions.

3. Am I allowed to attend the pre-purchase marine survey?

Absolutely. We promote it. Presence enables you to see the entire inspection process and ask questions, and see any problems firsthand. It is a useful learning experience that can help make a decision.

4. What is the duration of a marine survey?

Under normal circumstances, most surveys take a normal working day, although it varies according to the vessel size, age, and complexity. A final report is usually provided within 24 to 48 hours of the inspection time, with photos and recommendations.

5. Do insurers and lenders accept your surveys?
Yes. Our surveys are ABYC, NAMS, and other industry-established standards. Banks, lenders, underwriters, and marine insurance companies have a wide acceptance of these across the United States.