Yacht & Small Craft Pre-Purchase Survey

Typically a pre-purchase structural condition survey would be carried out prior to the purchase of a vessel that is not very old and would include the following key yacht survey elements / activities:

Hull Structure

• GRP Yachts: Moisture testing of hull
• 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...

• Inspecting for grounding damage
• Identifying areas of further repair
• Fibre glass de-lamination
• Distortion of hull
• Examination of internal structure

Keel and Ballast

• Type of keel and materials used
• Examination for signs of movement or grounding damage
• The hull structure in the position of the keel (inspecting for cracks or distortion)
• Inspection of keel bolts and security

Yacht Super Structure

• General inspection of superstructure (e.g. coach roof, deck houses etc)
• Decks, firmness underfoot, possible 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
• Examination of hull to deck joint

Stern Gear

Examination of the following aspects of yacht and boat stern gear;

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

Steering Gear

• Rudders
• Moisture content readings
• Rudder bearings
• Steering systems e.g. hydraulic, wire or tiller
• Steering pedestals
• Emergency steering
• Autopilots

Inspection of Deck Fittings (typically including)

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

Examination of Seacocks and Through Hull Fittings

Including;

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

Windows and hatches

• Windows
• Companionway doors and hatches
• Deck hatches
• Portlights
• Flybridge and cockpit screens
• Identification of Leaks

About Nick Healey, Pre-Purchase Surveyor for Yachts and Small Craft in Cornwall, Devon and other European locations

Your yacht pre purchase survey will be conducted by Nick Healey. Nick is an experienced yacht surveyor and is an accredited 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 nine year yacht surveying career.

Nick is also a keen waterman and is involved in many watersports including yacht cruising and racing, yacht deliveries, surfing and surf boat rowing. Nick has logged more than 15K nautical miles.
[Read more about Nick]

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