Why Have a Pre-Purchase/Buyer's Marine Survey?

Buying a used boat is not like buying a used car. Cars are built in the millions by large companies using predictable automated manufacturing processes under a myriad of quality standards and controls. The used car has a "known" history of performance, reliability, and value that can be found in many publications.

Boats are not as precisely built. There is much handwork using low-volume processes and methods that do not always produce consistency. Boats built in the same year by the same company are often found to be quite different from each other. This is the "nature of the beast" where low volume manufacture coupled with the reliance on skilled workers does not always produce a consistent and predictable product. Although some manufacturers are better than others, even the best have had their problems.

Once the vessel is a few years old, all bets are off. Now the condition and value of the vessel is more reflective of its usage and its level of maintenance and care. We've seen boats built forty years ago that were in better overall condition than similar ones from the 1990s. There are no standard rules here and the age of the vessel has no bearing on its condition. Although the machinery and accessories may have a history of reliability, the vessel itself is generally an unknown. Each boat is an individual and tells its own story.

Why Have a Buyers Marine Survey? Here are several reasons:

1. The primary reason for a survey is for the safety of the vessel and the crew. The ocean is not an agreeable environment for land-based air-breathing mammals. Your safety at sea is dependent on the vessel and on your own knowledge and seamanship skills. A proper marine survey will cover the vessel. Knowledge and seamanship are your responsibility.
   
   
2. Secondly, you have a strong financial interest when buying any boat. Its condition and value should be of great importance to you. Being well informed can help you to make sound financial decisions up front and well before you actually own the boat.
   
   
3. How about getting marine insurance or financing? Most marine insurance underwriters and financial institutions will require an acceptable condition and value survey. It's a bit late to find out about the boat after you've bought it. You'll have no recourse with the seller and the problems uncovered by the surveyor will be yours alone.

In short, a Pre-Purchase Marine Survey can protect you and your family both physically and financially.