Testimonial

"Thank you for all your assistance over and above your surveying duties, it was very much appreciated. I was very satisfied with both your professionalism and the way you looked after my interests, given I am based in Brisbane. I will advise you once she arrives here."

P.Geroff

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If you've never had a marine survey performed, or are considering using our services as a new client, please take some time to peruse the FAQ page. The following are a few examples of the questions that are frequently asked:

"How much do you charge for a survey?"

We aim to be the BEST. You will be paying for knowledge, experience, and integrity.
Our prices are in the general range of other reputable surveyors. We know that we are not the cheapest. There are cheaper options out there but as per usual it is a case of buyer beware.

"How long does it take to do the survey and when will I get the report?"

To quote a wise, old Surveyor, "It all depends!"

If the Surveyor is allowed to work unfettered, and if the vessel is free of clutter and all areas are able to be accessed with relative ease, most vessels can be inspected in a few hours.
In order to finalize the report, more time must be given in the office for conducting research to determine the vessel's values, along with formalizing notes, recommendations, and creating a suitable photo presentation.
With few exceptions, the report will usually be delivered within 3 days.

"What information does your survey report contain?"

Our pre-purchase survey reports vary in length, depending on the size and complexity of the boat, followed by an attachment of digital photographs. The contents include:

A detailed description of the yacht and its systems.
A "notes" section containing any non-standard conditions or other remarks.
Recommendations regarding safety and maintenance.
An informed opinion regarding replacement cost.
Accurate fair market value.
Photographs of the boat, including unusual features or problems.

We will formally deliver the report electronically in the form of a "pdf" file. PDF is a common type of secure file which can be viewed or printed on virtually any computer or operating system. Lenders and insurers we have dealt with in recent years have accepted and prefer this format.

"After receiving it, who has the 'right' to my survey report?"

The report is prepared for you - you contract us to perform the work and we work solely for you with no connection to any other party. We will not reveal our opinion of the fair market value to the broker, seller, or any one else, until or unless you authorise disclosure to those parties.
The report is delivered or sent directly to you and no-one else...it is your exclusive property. No-one has the right to ask for it, or demand to possess it, or see it. It is not transferable to any other person or entity UNLESS YOU release it to them. The intended users of the report and appraisal are you and those lenders and underwriters considering financing or insuring your vessel.

"Should I be present for the survey?"

We encourage the buyer to attend, especially if the survey is being conducted for pre-purchase reasons. You should allow the Surveyor to work unfettered so that he or she can follow their protocol and uncover all of the vessel's defects. This is not to say that you should not ask questions, however if you do have questions it is very helpful to raise them at or near the end of the field inspection. When the field inspection is complete, the Surveyor will point out defects or any findings that you should be made aware of. This is a more appropriate time to raise questions.
It is not as important that a vessel owner be present for an insurance survey.

"Do I have to have the boat Slipped?"

If you're having a pre-purchase survey performed on the vessel it should go without saying that you would want to know what condition the keel and wetted surfaces, propulsion machinery, steering machinery, thru-hulls, etc., are in before you make a decision to buy. A lender or an underwriter probably will not loan or insure the vessel if they don't have a survey report that indicates what condition the hull's wetted surfaces are in.
If the survey is for insurance renewal you should check with your underwriter to see if they may require that she be slipped for inspection of the wetted surfaces.
You may be better off buying a boat with blisters than buying a boat previously repaired to a poor standard. There are many cases on record where blister repairs have been made by laymen who do not know how to make proper repairs. In the end, the materials used for the repair may not be compatible with the original hull resin, resulting in a situation that is worse than the original blister!

"Do you perform a compression check on the engine?"

We do not perform compression checks. If you are planning to invest your hard-earned money in a boat that you know nothing of, we strongly recommend that you contract a qualified, reputable marine mechanic to thoroughly survey all aspects of the engine, on top of checking compression.

"Do you perform seatrials?"

Yes, we do seatrials.
During the trial the Surveyor will not operate the vessel.
You should arrange with the broker or owner to provide a representative (Captain, broker, etc.) to master the vessel so that the Surveyor can work unfettered to witness all of the vessel's pertinent operating systems.

"Why should I select your company to survey the boat?"

Integrity - Integrity is a Surveyor's most important qualification. Our reputation for honesty and integrity is most important to us. We believe in treating all parties fairly, avoiding any conflict of interest. We are not involved in selling boats, equipment, or services, nor do we have any financial interest in any organization that does. We will not be influenced to inflate a vessel's worth by relationships with brokers. Likewise we will not find fault with a vessel simply to undermine a broker or the seller.

Experience – We have extensive experience on the water and out, we are members of the of Marine Surveyors Association (AMS).International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveying (AIMS) and Royal Institute Naval Architects (RINA). We are all boat owners like you, active in the local boating community. Each of us has cruised extensively in both power and sailing yachts.

Independence - We work only for you, our Client. Our surveying business is very diverse and our financial survival does not depend on referrals from brokers. Our survey report will not be influenced by a desire for future business from the broker, lender, or seller.

Hull Surveying | Pre-Purchase Surveys | Condition Surveys | Mooring Inspections | Insurance Surveys