Buying
Why you can't skip the yacht survey
What a marine surveyor checks, what it costs, and how it protects your purchase.
15 March 2026 · 1 min read
The survey separates a good purchase from an expensive mistake, and rushed buyers skip it most often.
What gets checked
You receive a written report with a condition rating and usually a list of items needing attention.
- Hull and structure, including osmosis tests on GRP
- Engine hours, compression and mechanical condition
- Electrics and wiring
- Standing and running rigging age on sailing yachts
- Safety gear and compliance
Who arranges it
You do, rather than the seller or their broker. An independent surveyor has no reason to soften a finding.
Cost and time
Cost grows with boat size, and a survey with haul-out usually takes a full day. It's a small fraction of the price, and it can pay for itself many times over.
Afterwards
Use findings to renegotiate or walk away, without panicking over normal wear. Read the report with someone experienced.
