Valuation of Yachts

A comprehensive marine survey of a yacht or boat typically will include inspection, evaluation, and possibly testing of the following:

Deck

The boat’s deck, topsides, cockpit, superstructure, and rigging. All parts of the boat that are reasonably accessible will be inspected. A proper marine survey will note signs of leaking.

• Deck and deck core: Inspection includes visual examination for moisture penetration and delamination.
• Deck fittings such as cleats and chainplates: Will be inspected for soundness, water-tightness, and miscellaneous damage and wear. When water or moisture gets into the deck core, delamination can result.
• Hatches, lockers, and lazarettes: Will be inspected for fit and operation, signs of damage, excess caulking that could indicate prior repairs, stress cracks, and wear and tear. Ideally, all lockers and lazarettes will be empty, or can be emptied, so that the surveyor can get a good look at the entire interior.
• Transom
• Rails, lifelines, pulpit, stanchions, cleats, fairleads, winches
• Helm station

Mast and rigging

• Mast, boom, and poles
• Rigging wire will be inspected for broken strands and chafing.
• Turnbuckles and other connections will be examined
• Eye terminals will be checked for corrosion, cracks, and shape
• Mast should be straight, even, and sound, without corrosion or damage vMast pulleys, welds, winches, and other moving parts will be examined
• Spreaders and fittings will be examined for corrosion, wear, or chafingv
• Dodger, bimini, and other canvas attachments
• Halyards, reefing, sheeting, leads, cleats and jam cleats, traveler, vang

The boat’s interior

• Sole (cabin floor) will be inspected for damage and signs of leaks
• Layout and finish
• Galley
• Stove, oven, refrigeration
• Propane storage and system
• Sink and faucet
• Sleeping accommodations, furnishings, doors, drawers, latches, interior storage areas

Engine and engine room

• Engine beds and mounts
• Fuel, oil, coolant fluids, exhaust
• Drive train
• Bilge and bilge pumps
• Thru-hulls and thru-hull fittings, including valves, clamps, and hoses
• Fuel system, including tank and mounts, fuel lines, filter, and shutoff
• Holding tanks and water tanks, including mounts, hoses, and shore connections
• Hull, keel, bottom, propeller, skeg,. All components of the survey below the waterline require haulout of the boat. The surveyor will also look for signs of grounding or impact damage, stress cracks, repairs, or distortions.

Bottom

• Keel: Damage or signs of repair on the bottom or leading part of the keel are common in boats sailed in shallow water. An experienced surveyor will be able to evaluate the severity of the damage.
• Swing keels: The surveyor will want to get under the boat with a flashlight to look up into the keel housing.
• Hull: The hull inspection includes examination for blisters or signs of potential blistering in the fiberglass. Minor blistering usually isn’t something to worry about, as most boats will develop some blistering over the years, but serious blistering can be problematic and can be costly to repair.
• Thru-hulls, grills, sea valves: All thru-hull openings will be inspected for a variety of possible problems resulting from damage or normal degradation and wear.
• Propeller, shaft, and supporting struts: The prop should be sound, the shaft straight and true, and supports strong and sturdy without excess looseness.

Steering

• Rudder: The surveyor will be looking for easy, smooth rudder motion, and also checking for looseness or wear in the hinges and for signs of water seepage into the rudder itself.
• Tiller
• Wheel and linkages
• Autopilot

Electrical equipment

• Both AC and DC – power supply, and circuits
• Installation: Is the equipment installed in compliance with safety requirements and sound practices?
• Operation: Does all electrical equipment function properly?

Plumbing

• Seacocks: Are all seacocks operational, with free movement when opening or closing
• Head: Toilet, sink, faucet, shower, drain, pump
• Taps: Do all interior and exterior taps, faucets, and sprayers operate properly, and is there any leakage?
• Hoses, screens, strainers: Are hoses cracked or brittle? What is the condition of screens and strainers? What is the condition of all hose clamps and supports?
• Is there any moisture or any water puddles or stains anywhere that may be a result of any leakage or failure in the plumbing system?

Safety equipment

• PFDs (personal floation devices)
• Fixed and portable fire extinguishers
• Visual distress signals
• Sound-producing devices (audible signals)
• Navigation lights
• Engine exhaust blowers and engine room ventilation
• Oil discharge and garbage disposal placards
• Any auxiliary safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and first aid kits

Other

• Structural integrity
• Anchors and ground tackle
• Design features and aftermarket structural modifications
• Cosmetic condition and finish.
• Overall maintenance
• Ship’s papers, documentation (if documented), vessel registration, and hull numbers
• Compliance with Coast Guard requirements, recommendations of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), and recommendations of the National Fire Protection Association.