Eberle Marine Surveys – Types of Surveys

The most comprehensive type of survey which is normally done prior to the purchase of a new or used boat. This should be an exhaustive inspection covering every detail affecting the boat’s condition and safety including a thorough evaluation of all onboard systems, structural integrity of all components, extent of existing problems, suggestions for upgrades and needed repairs.
The vessel is best inspected both in and out of the water and underway for a trial run.
The pre-purchase survey also provides an estimate of fair market value to make sure you don’t pay too much, along with an opinion of insurability and replacement cost.

This inspection is required by insurance companies when a vessel is acquired and at periodic intervals thereafter to insure a safe risk for coverage.
Many aspects of the pre-purchase inspection are covered, but with greater emphasis on potentially hazardous flaws and safety issues.
Precise identification of all valuable gear and an opinion of the vessel’s fair market value and insurability are always included.
For older boats and new policies, insurance underwriters normally require a haulout inspection, but policy renewal surveys are typically completed in the water dockside.

Similar in scope to the pre-purchase inspection, a pre-sale survey is ordered by the current owner who would like to document vessel condition and perhaps attend to repairs prior to listing his boat for sale.
Listing brokers are happy for you to complete this inspection as they will use the report as an advertising tool which typically expedites the sale of your boat.
Brokers will often reimburse all or part of your survey expense when the vessel sells.
For a variety of reasons, this inspection report should not be used by a prospective buyer who should always commission and attend his own survey.

In the event you can not travel to make a personal inspection of a boat for sale, a one or two hour onboard preliminary inspection can be completed to let you know if the vessel has any significant structural flaws or signs of neglect.
This can help you decide to commit to a full survey or look elsewhere.

The purpose of an appraisal is to establish a boat’s fair market value pursuant to loan financing, estate settlements or donating the vessel.
The scope is similar to that of an insurance survey, but can also include estimates as to how projected repairs or refits will change the boat’s value.

This inspection is usually ordered and paid for by your insurance company after a vessel has suffered a covered loss such as heavy grounding, collision, flooding, fire, lightning strike, storm or other damage.
The surveyor’s job is to insure the vessel is restored to her pre-loss condition at a fair price.
The boat owner has the right to choose and pay his own surveyor for a second opinion, independent of whom the insurance company assigns.

Rigging inspections aloft, corrosion and stray current testing, moisture metering and other specific inspections are available.

Click to view surveyor listing on The Marine Surveyor Marketplace

Rob Eberle, SAMS® AMS®

Accredited Marine Surveyor
Yacht Survey Specialist Since 1988
Better Business Bureau Rating A+

Eberle Marine Surveys
1310 National Ave.,
New Bern, North Carolina 28560

(252) 670-1976(O)
(252) 635-1958(F)

Serving all of Coastal North Carolina