What Is a Marine Survey, and Why Should You Get One?

As a boater for over 40 years, I understand that owning a boat can be the best thing ever. Whether it’s hanging out at the dock or doing a trip to the Thousand Islands, what’s not to like? However, like everything else, there is balance. What you get in terms of enjoyment can be offset by the sheer number of moving parts. Like owning a house, there are repairs and maintenance. It’s essential to address a crucial question: What is a marine survey, and why do you need one? A marine survey is the key to understanding what needs to be done maintenance and repair-wise, what these things may cost and get a good idea of what the boat is worth. This is where a marine survey comes in. Hiring a skilled marine surveyor is like hiring a home inspector before you buy or sell your home. It is your best bet to ensure that you are making clear-headed, informed, objective decisions about what you are buying or what you are selling. Oh, and lastly, your insurance company will need a survey in order to issue insurance.

What is a Marine Survey?

A marine survey is an inspection of a vessel conducted by a professional marine surveyor. The surveyor examines the vessel from bow to stern, looking for potential problems affecting its safety, performance, or value.

The different types of marine surveys are:

Pre-Purchase Survey

There are several different types of marine surveys. Are you considering purchasing a boat? Selling a boat? Need to have your insurance renewed? Have damage you need to have assessed? Which type of survey you need depends on your situation.

The most common survey is the pre-purchase survey. Often (just like with a home inspection), a prospective buyer will conditionally make an offer on a boat pending a survey. A pre-purchase survey is a professional report that identifies what is good about the vessel, what is not so great, and what needs to be repaired. It then gives an approximate valuation. 

A pre-purchase survey is very often used as a negotiating tool. “This much needs to be fixed. It will cost this. Therefore, you should deduct this much from the asking price.” Very often, the amount saved in negotiation is more than the price of the survey itself, making it money well spent. 

This survey also offers you peace of mind: You know exactly what you are buying. We have all heard of people moving into their new home and suddenly find out the furnace needs to be replaced. Imagine the boating equivalent of suddenly finding out the deck of the boat needs to be stripped off and replaced.

In terms of what is covered in a pre-purchase survey, the short answer is “everything except.” And there are several possible exceptions.

• If it is a sailboat, Is the mast up? This makes it very challenging to inspect the rigging, and an extra charge would be levied for a surveyor to go up the rigging in a bosun’s chair to inspect it.
• Is the boat in the water? To inspect the hull, rudder, propellers and through hulls, the boat would have to be hauled out at the buyer’s expense. 
• Does the boat run properly? This would require a sea trial, which would add to the cost. The current owner would also have to take the boat off the dock with the surveyor to evaluate the performance. 
• Do you want a comprehensive survey of the engine? This would require hiring a licensed mechanic or engineer to determine this. 

How far you take a pre-purchase survey is up to you. But it goes without saying that the more thorough the survey, the lower the chances for unpleasant surprises later.

Appraisal Survey

If you already own a boat, you may want to get a general list of what your maintenance priorities should be. You may also be considering selling and want to provide a survey ahead of time to justify your valuation. Appraisal survey focuses on key aspects of the boat, such as its structural integrity, safety equipment, and compliance with relevant standards. It provides a professional valuation based on the vessel’s age, maintenance history, and overall state. 

Unlike a pre-purchase survey, it is typically less detailed and does not usually include operational systems testing or a sea trial unless specifically requested. The survey report is concise and gives a clear picture of the vessel’s condition and value without delving into exhaustive details for future repairs.

Insurance Survey

While boat insurance is not legally mandatory in Ontario, most marinas and financing companies require proof of insurance. The frequency with which this insurance must be renewed depends on the individual insurance company and the boat’s value, age, and composition. 

In the context of pleasure boats, a vessel valued at CAD 100,000 or more is often considered high-value by insurance providers. Also, unique or rare vessels, even with slightly lower financial value, may still be considered high-worth due to limited availability or historical significance. A boat over 40 feet might be considered high worth due to higher purchase and maintenance costs. Some boats have advanced electronics, navigation systems and other high-tech features that may change its classification to high-worth. 

Finally, a boat may be built or use premium materials such as carbon fibre and Kevlar.  But as I said above, it all depends on the policies of an individual insurer. 

Insurance surveys are performed according to insurance companies’ requirements. In short, insurance companies are only interested in two things: Is the boat safe? And is it sound? To identify any cracks, moisture, or damage, the survey typically covers the hull and structural integrity, including the deck, keel, rudder, and bulkheads. Electrical systems, such as wiring, batteries, and lighting, are inspected for proper installation and functionality.

In contrast, mechanical systems, including the engine, cooling, fuel, and steering systems, are assessed for wear, leaks, or alignment issues. Plumbing components like water tanks, sanitation systems, and through-hulls are checked for leaks and corrosion. Safety equipment, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, and EPIRBs, must meet regulations and be in good condition. Navigation and communication tools like GPS, radar, and VHF radios are tested for reliability. Additional inspections may include a haul-out for hull examination or a sea trial to evaluate performance.

How Much Does A Marine Survey Cost?

The costs of a marine survey depend on the type(s) of survey you’re looking for, as well as the length and age of the boat. At Kiki Marine, an insurance survey for a vessel under 25 feet starts at $500. For pre-purchase or condition and valuation, the cost starts at $550.00. Above this, vessels measuring 26 to 30 feet are charged at $21 per foot, while those between 31 and 40 feet are $22 per foot. Boats ranging from 41 to 50 feet are priced at $23 per foot. For vessels over 50 feet, a custom quote is provided. If the boat you are looking at is over 15 years old, add $1.00 per foot.

How Do I Choose The Right Marine Surveyor?

Like choosing any professional, it makes a great deal of sense to look for someone with loads of experience – not just in surveying, but in boating generally. Of course, regardless of experience, every surveyor will have a general checklist. However, a more significant amount of experience increases the likelihood of a surveyor knowing many of the finer points missed by the less-experienced – will intuitively know when things look, sound and feel less than optimum. These experiential criteria can become the basis for more in-depth analysis. Also, if parts of the boat require repair, that surveyor will likely have a good idea of what is entailed, how long it will take and how much it could cost. 

What Can You Expect From A Good Marine Survey?

This question should be analyzed according to the entire process – not just the final document. Was it easy to make the appointment? Was the surveyor on time with a positive and professional attitude? Was the document delivered within the promised period? And then, yes, was the document thorough?

The document should not just be a checklist showing an inventory of what is on the boat. Or give non-informative answers to simplified questions like: “Deck condition? Satisfactory”.  In this example, a good survey should give informative qualifiers about what made the deck condition satisfactory.

• Is it just that it is the same or better than boats of similar age? 
• Were there any stress cracks? 
• Are there any points that showed higher levels of moisture? 
• Signs of past repairs and their quality? 
• Any recommendations about certain sections?

It is not enough to get a general sense of a vessel’s condition. A good survey should give exact specifics.

How Can Kiki Marine Help In A Survey?

I have been a boater since 1978. I have owned several boats and sailed professionally for several years. At Kiki Marine, I can now walk onto a boat and, within minutes, have a very good idea of the calibre (or existence) of past maintenance and the likelihood of oversight in several areas. One of the most significant advantages to you is that I may just say, “walk away from this.” And if I do so, I will only charge for the time I’ve spent. There is no sense for either of us to spend the money and the time surveying something that isn’t worth either.

Final Thoughts

A marine survey is more than just a routine inspection—it’s a critical (I would even say required) tool for ensuring safety, confidence, and value in boat ownership. You wouldn’t want to buy a boat that may require thousands of dollars in repairs and time out of the water. And you wouldn’t want to sell a boat that had issues you were not aware of that may come back to bite you later. The investment in a marine survey is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Owning a boat is a uniquely rewarding experience, but it comes with its share of responsibilities and challenges. Just as you wouldn’t buy a house without an inspection, you shouldn’t purchase or sell a boat without a thorough survey. A good marine surveyor combines technical expertise with years of boating experience to offer you a detailed, objective evaluation. By partnering with an experienced surveyor like Kiki Marine, you can buy, sell or insure your vessel with a very clear idea of your boats (or your future boats!) condition.

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