A marine surveyor is an independent professional who inspects and evaluates vessels for condition, value, safety, and compliance. Think of them as a combination of home inspector, appraiser, and structural engineer, but for boats. Their reports are used by buyers, sellers, insurance companies, lenders, and courts to make decisions involving real money.
The quality of a survey depends entirely on the individual surveyor's knowledge, experience, and thoroughness. A lazy surveyor who spends two hours on a 50-foot boat will miss things that a careful surveyor spending six hours on the same boat will catch. Choosing the right surveyor matters more than choosing the cheapest one.
This is the most detailed type of survey and the one most people think of when they hear "marine survey." A pre-purchase survey covers the entire vessel: hull condition, structural integrity, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, safety equipment, navigation electronics, rigging (on sailboats), and cosmetic condition. The surveyor identifies deficiencies, safety concerns, and maintenance items, and provides an estimated fair market value.
For a 45-foot motor yacht, expect to pay $900-$1,575 for the survey, plus the cost of a haul-out ($500-$1,500) to inspect the bottom. The survey takes 4-8 hours depending on vessel complexity. The report will be 15-40 pages with photographs.
The pre-purchase survey is your last line of defense before committing six or seven figures to a used boat. Never skip it. The survey cost is trivial compared to what you're spending on the boat, and the findings can save you from buying a money pit or give you negotiating leverage to reduce the purchase price.
Insurance companies require a survey to issue or renew a policy, typically for boats over a certain age (usually 10-20 years) or value. The insurance survey is less detailed than a pre-purchase survey — it focuses on safety, seaworthiness, and overall condition rather than a comprehensive deficiency list. The surveyor confirms the vessel is in acceptable condition and provides a replacement or agreed value.
Insurance surveys cost roughly the same as pre-purchase surveys ($20-$35/foot) but may not require a haul-out unless the insurer specifically requests one or the surveyor identifies a concern that requires bottom inspection.
A pure valuation — no physical inspection or a very limited one. Used for estate purposes, divorce proceedings, donations, and financing. The surveyor determines fair market value based on comparable sales, current market conditions, vessel specifications, and (if applicable) a limited inspection. Cost: $300-$1,000 depending on vessel size and purpose.
Conducted after an incident — collision, grounding, fire, flooding, lightning strike, or storm damage. The damage surveyor documents the extent of damage, determines the cause, estimates repair costs, and may assess whether the vessel is a total loss. Insurance companies typically hire their own surveyor, but you should consider hiring one independently if the claim is significant.
Damage survey fees vary widely based on the complexity of the incident and the scope of damage. Expect $500-$3,000+ for a thorough damage survey with a detailed repair cost estimate.
A combined condition assessment and valuation, often required by lenders for marine financing. It's essentially a pre-purchase survey commissioned by the bank. The lender wants to know: is the boat worth what the buyer is paying, and is it in acceptable condition to secure the loan? C&V surveys cost the same as pre-purchase surveys.
The two primary accrediting organizations for marine surveyors in the US are:
SAMS has three membership levels: Affiliate (learning/apprenticing), Associate (working toward full accreditation), and Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS). The AMS designation requires a minimum of five years of surveying experience, passing a written exam, submission of sample survey reports for review, and peer evaluation. SAMS is the larger of the two organizations and has members throughout the US and internationally.
NAMS offers Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS) designation. Their certification process includes education requirements, experience documentation, exams, and peer review. NAMS tends to have a stronger presence in certain regional markets.
Honestly, the individual surveyor's experience and reputation matter more than which organization's initials follow their name. Both SAMS-AMS and NAMS-CMS designations indicate a baseline level of competence and professionalism. What you really want is a surveyor who has extensive experience with your type and size of vessel. A surveyor who specializes in large motor yachts may not be the best choice for a 40-foot catamaran, and vice versa.
For diesel engine specifics, see our diesel engine maintenance checklist to understand what these systems require.
If electrical issues are found, you'll want a qualified marine electrician to provide repair estimates.
A proper pre-purchase survey includes a haul-out for bottom inspection. In-water surveys are limited because the surveyor can't assess the bottom paint condition, through-hulls, running gear, rudder, keel attachment, or hull below the waterline. Some surveyors will use a diver for underwater inspection, but this is not equivalent to a haul-out inspection in terms of thoroughness.
Insurance surveys may accept an in-water survey with diver inspection, especially for boats that are difficult or expensive to haul (large yachts, boats in areas without travel lifts). But for a pre-purchase survey, insist on a haul-out. The $500-$1,500 haul cost is cheap insurance against buying a boat with undisclosed bottom issues.
Find accredited marine surveyors in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach through the YSN service directory.
The buyer pays for the pre-purchase survey. It's your report, commissioned for your benefit. The seller pays for the haul-out in some markets (Northeast US), while the buyer pays in others (Florida). This is negotiable and should be addressed in the purchase agreement before the survey is scheduled.
Yes, and you should. Attending the survey gives you a firsthand look at the boat's condition, the opportunity to ask questions, and context for the written report. A good surveyor will explain what they're looking at and why it matters as they work through the inspection. Plan to be there for the full duration — it's several hours well spent.
Every used boat has issues; the survey tells you what they are. After receiving the report, you have three options: (1) accept the boat as-is and proceed with the purchase, (2) negotiate a price reduction or require the seller to make repairs before closing, or (3) walk away from the deal. Your purchase agreement should include a survey contingency that gives you the right to withdraw based on survey findings.
Insurance companies typically require a new survey every 5-10 years, depending on the vessel's age and value. Beyond insurance requirements, a voluntary condition survey every 3-5 years is good practice for catching developing issues early. It's much cheaper to address a small area of delamination than to rebuild an entire cored deck.