Surveyors
A full pre-purchase survey will cost you somewhere between £500 & £1000; if the survey is out of the water it will also cost between £200 & £400 docking charges depending how the boat is taken out of the water - dry dock and slipway are generally cheaper than a fixed crane. A mobile crane that has to be brought on site may be costly - be wary, sometimes the price quoted is one-way only so you would pay twice the figure quoted i.e. for taking out and for putting back in the water.
Onsite Facilities
Boat Lift
Jet Washing
Blacking
The level of survey is your choice. It can be a full pre-purchase survey of the whole craft, or an "in the water" report of the boat interior (internal services and quality of fit out etc.) or an out of the water hull survey alone, or simply an engine report. Remember that if seeking marine finance, the survey must include a valuation.
If you have specific questions or worries, put the questions in writing to your surveyor before the inspection, asking for specific answers.
Also ask if they carry Professional Indemnity insurance & if they are a member of a professional association. Membership to each association is shown beneath each surveyors name. The list given below explains this further.
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The Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association. Members have to pass an entry examination and submit reports for approval before accreditation by the Association -
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. Members have to hold a suitable marine based qualification or many years of experience within the marine sector -
The International Institute of Marine Surveying. Members have to submit reports for approval before accreditation by the Institute -
Diploma in Marine Surveying offered by the IIMS
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Association of Boat Safety Scheme Examiners. Members have to be qualified Boat Safety Scheme examiners
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Incorporated Engineer - Engineering Council
It is important to ask the surveyor what they are going to inspect and what they are't; what they will do and what they won't do - there is no set routine/format as to what constitutes a pre-purchase survey. We would suggest speaking to several surveyors and asking for a copy of a sample survey report so that you can compare the content and detail provided by each surveyor. Some surveyors will also include the issue of a new BSS Certificate if everything complies.
National Marine Surveying
Whilst we have provided the contact details for the various surveyors listed, selection of the surveyor by the customer is the customer's ultimate discretion. We do however suggest that the surveyor selected holds the appropriate insurance and is a Member of a relevant professional body; including, but not limited to YDSA, from whom a full list is available at https://ydsa.co.uk/find/surveyors/
Our list above does not serve as a guarantee for or against the individuals involved and any works they may have carried out on your behalf.
MarSurv
Elliot Berry
Dip.Mar.Sur, F.I.I.M.S, F.I.DIAG.E, FNIBME, MIMarEST., MNI., A.M.RINA., ARSPH., NACE
Narrowboat Surveyor
0844 567 7709 or 07500 881 731
visit website
East Hill Marine Limited
Vortex Marine
Martin Ridge
IEng IMarEng MIMarEST MIET MCMS
Marine Technical Consultant, Surveyor and BSS Examiner
07802 423 070
visit website
