Boat Surveys

Pre-Purchase & Insurance Surveys

A comprehensive survey is an essential process to establish and evaluate the condition of a boat for the perspective first time buyer or well seasoned owner alike. Before embarking on the exciting purchase or setting sail over the horizon you want to be aware as to the condition of all of the structural and operational components. With a pre-purchase survey we make a full appraisal inspecting every aspect onboard, report our findings in person to you while supplying all of the information in a clear and concise report with accompanying photographs for reference. As a part of our service we can advise on methods and options to remedy any repairs or alterations which maybe required and are always available for follow up support.

When purchasing a boat there are number of elements which require inspection to ensure the integrity of the vessels components, their ability to function and operate correctly providing a safe, watertight boat to use. In todays boating world there are numerous different materials and methods used in the construction process ranging from traditional timber boats through to cutting edge full carbon fibre yachts. However the same essential areas require inspection no matter the type, style or planned use of the boat. Every boat should have the hull, hull fittings, structural members, decks, cabin and superstructure, machinery, electrical, rudder and propellers inspected and tested operationally. At Seal Marine we pride ourselves on being vigilant with an eye for detail, utilising various means to complete our surveys with the aid of thermal imaging cameras, ultrasonic thickness measurements and borescope equipment in conjunction with more traditional practices such as percussive testing, visual inspections and moisture meters we don’t rely on any one method when conducting our surveys. We use all available methods and equipment to inspect every aspect of the boat including hard to reach areas prone to access and space limitations and with the introduction of thermal imaging equipment to our surveys it provides us with the ability observe abnormalities with which which previously would have been unseen, used on every survey we conduct to capture images of the hull, bottom, deck and cabin or superstructure for analysis with the intension of identifying water damage, delimitation and disbonding of fibreglass, repairs and patches which maybe obscured by paint and coatings. Equally as important is the technology can give us the confidence that there are not indications abnormalities. Upon request machinery and electrical components can also be included within the thermal imaging component of the survey, for more information on thermal imaging and infrared radiation go to our Thermal Imaging page.

Blistering caused by osmosis

How does a boat survey work?

We make the process of completing the survey as seamless and stress free for you as we can, buying a new boat is an exciting time which can also be a little overwhelming at the same time. It is recommend that a full survey with a sea trail and engine inspection is conducted during the survey inspection, we co-ordinate with the sales broker or private seller to arrange a suitable time gain access to the boat to conduct the survey and sea trail. On completion of the survey a full report with both thermal and digital images is completed and forwarded to you for review, we then go through the report in person covering all areas of the survey giving you the buyer a complete understanding as to the condition of the boat along with recommendations on approaching repairs or alterations you may wish complete. What we won’t do is leave you with a big, long wordy report with no context in what being reported on, lots of items written in a report can be perceived as negative or in fact the boat is in a bad condition, which most likely is not the case at all. Our service includes guiding you through the findings in an open, honest yet pragmatic fashion giving you the buyer or owner the correct information to make an informed decisionions when considering the boat.

What do we look for during a boat survey?

The most important factors surround the boats hull, structural integrity and the ability to remain watertight and afloat, with a number of materials used in the construction process which all have their own positive and negative attributes. Common materials found are glass reinforced plastic’s (GRP), wood, steel and aluminium with some composite and carbon fibre construction methods also used. The most asked after issues we come across are osmosis, delamination and disbonding in GRP, oxidasitaiton of both steel and aluminium and the rotting in wood. Different materials require different approaches for inspecting as not all methods are suitable in the various situations. Combinations of visual and percussive are typically a very good starting point followed by thermal scanning with ultrasonic thickness measuring being very beneficial for steel and aluminium. Typically there will be telltale signs which point us in the direction of any underlying issues such as surface blisters in gelcoats and paint topcoats, inconsistent audible soundings in percussive tests, soft and spongy decks underfoot and rust stains to mention a few. With the aid of the thermal imaging camera we are now able to detect repairs beneath paints as well as the delamination and disbonding in GRP and composite boats. During the course of the survey we inspect just about every inch of the boat in a systematic manner following a precise method and the with the aid of a checklist ensuring nothing gets forgotten or missed. It all begins with a walk around the boat before starting with the internal inspection then moving onto the external decks and hull, finishing off with the thermal imagery. This allows us to be aware of the location of tanks, internal structural members and fittings within the hull and bilge which will become evident during the percussive soundings, thermal scans ultrasonic soundings and moisture measurements. throughout the course of the survey we inspect the following points as a minimum;

Hull : Bottom : Transom : Topsides : Decks : Cabin/Superstructure : Windows & Portholes : Paint & Gelcoat Condition : Rudders : Propellers : Safety & Handrails : Tenders : Internal Structure : Navigational Equipment : Cabin Equipment & Furnishings : Safety Equipment : Support Systems : General Machinery & Electrical Condition

What should you do if there are areas of concern?

Firstly, don’t panic just about every part of a boat is repairable the important point is that the issue has been identified and therefore can be fixed. During our reporting process we discuss the findings in depth and prioritise what to focus on, from the must fix now to ongoing maintenance and cosmetics work. Given that the hull condition, structure and watertight integrity are all very important if any of these areas show abnormalities further investigation is recommend. Additional inspections can be by further thermal imaging, ultrasonic thickness measurements of metals, opening and removal of linings and components through to core samples.

Corroding discharge outlets

We conduct

Pre-Purchase Surveys : Thermal Imaging : Insurance Surveys : Damage & Condition Surveys