DB Marine Survey, based in Oxfordshire, is happy to travel to most areas in the UK. Please contact me to discuss if your location is possible.
It is the client’s responsibility to organise removing the boat from the water, be it a dry dock, cranage or slipway. I am happy to discuss the best options available in your location.
Preferably, hulls need to be pressure washed prior to a survey inspection. Without the removal of marine growth, debris, etc, it is not possible to tell the condition of paint systems or the extent of corrosion and pitting, resulting in a limited survey report.
Pre-Purchase Survey
A pre-purchase survey examines the boat’s structural integrity using ultrasonic thickness testing, hammer testing, pit depth analysis, assessing corrosion and initial build quality.
The survey will also check that the cathodic protection is adequate and that the paint systems are offering good protection. Hull apertures are checked for integrity and freeboard. Any faults found will be graded as Urgent recommendation, recommendation or advisory.
Hull Survey
A hull survey examines the boat’s structural integrity using ultrasonic thickness testing, hammer testing, pit depth analysis, assessing corrosion and initial build quality.
The survey will also check that the cathodic protection is adequate and that the paint systems are offering good protection. Hull apertures are checked for integrity and freeboard. Any faults found will be graded as Urgent recommendation, recommendation or advisory.
Valuation
Valuation is best done at the time of a survey as the full condition of the vessel can be assessed.
A walkthrough valuation can be done, but it will be on the grounds that the unseen hull is in good condition, requires no work.
Insurance Survey
An insurance survey is very similar to the pre-purchase survey, but it is generally requested by insurance companies for older already owned boats to prove they are not an insurance risk.
The report will focus more on the insurability of the vessel than whether the fridge works or the carpet smells.
In Water Assessment
An in-water assessment may be requested to decide whether it is worth taking a boat out of the water for a full survey. This could save time and money on lifting, slipping or docking costs. An insurance company may require a full survey, but only a hull survey was carried out, so an in water assessment can ‘top-up’ the existing survey.
