Insurance Survey Yacht & Small Craft

Insurance companies often require a survey report to ensure that the vessel is a reasonable risk and that the condition is seaworthy.

Hull Structure

GRP Yachts: Moisture testing
GRP Yachts: Gelcoat examination (e.g. identification of stress and collision damage
Wooden Yachts & Boats: Sounding of planks to identify areas of decay
Steel Yachts & Boats: Using ultrasonic thickness testing
Plus,
Grounding damage
Identifying areas of repair
Fibreglass de-lamination
Distortion
Internal structure

Super Structure

Superstructure
Decks, firmness underfoot, de-lamination
Gelcoat/timber cockpit and cabin coamings condition
The decks are inspected for signs of distortion particularly in the position of loaded deck fittings
Hull to deck joint

Keel & ballast

Type of keel and materials used
Signs of movement or grounding damage
The hull structure in the position of the keel, (cracks or distortion)
Keel bolts and security

Stern Gear

Propellers, (condition, security)
Shaft alignment
Cutlass bearings
P brackets
Sail drives inc oil sample, Diagphram
Anodes and cathodic protection
Stern Glands
Rope cutters

Steering Gear

Rudders
Moisture content readings
Rudder bearings
Steering systems i.e. Hydraulic, wire or tiller
Steering pedestals
Emergency steering
Autopilots

Spars & Rigging

Mast and boom type and condition
Gooseneck & kicking strap
Furling gear
Standing rigging
Standing rigging tension
Sheets & halyards

Deck Fittings (typically)

Chainplates and fastenings
Cleats and fairleads
Windless
Winches
Halyard clutches
Main sheet track
Genoa tracks
Grab Rails
Stanchions
Guard wires
Bow & stern rails
Bow roller
Davits

Safety equipment

Danbuoy
Lifejackets
Harnesses
Flares
Gas alarm
Jackstays
First aid kit
Radar reflector
Day shapes
Fire blanket
Horn
Liferaft

Ground tackle

Anchor type and weight
Chain and warp
Chain/anchor locker
Is the ground tackle adequate

Windows and hatches

Windows
Companionway doors and hatches
Deck hatches
Portlights
Flybridge and cockpit screens
Inspecting for leaks

Gas installation

Gas locker
Gas hoses and connections
Gas pipe
Shut off valves and regulators

Fuel installation

Fuel tank Material
Security
Filter type and condition
Condition of fuel pipes or hoses

DC Electrical systems

Batteries
Isolation switches
Switch panels
Wiring installation
Cabin and navigation lights
Volt & ammeters
Cables at the mast base

AC electrical systems

Circuit breakers
Wiring installation

Bilge systems

Manual pumps
Electric pumps, inc Float switches and bilge alarm systems
Condition of the bilges

Seacocks & through hull fittings

Skin fittings
Seacocks/shut off valves
Hoses connected to through hull fittings
Transducer fittings

About Nick Healey, Surveying Yachts and Small Craft in Cornwall, Devon and other European locations

Your yacht insurance survey will be conducted by Nick Healey. Nick has more than nine years of yacht surveying experience and is a member of the ‘International Institute of Marine Surveyors and Yacht Designers’ and the ‘Surveyors Association’.

Nick has surveyed more than 1,500 boats during his yacht surveying career. Surveys are typically undertaken in the following regions:

United Kingdom:

Cornwall, including: Falmouth, Penzance, St Mawes, Penryn, Mylor, Helford, Camel Estuary, Rock, Mounts Bay, Millbrook, Torpoint

Devon, including: Plymouth (River Tamar), Dartmouth (River Dart)

European (Non UK):

Barcelona

Nick is also a keen sailor and has cruised, raced and delivered yachts. Nick has logged more than 15,000 nautical miles and has been qualified as a ‘Yacht Master’ for more than 10 years.
[Read more about Nick]