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  • Home
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  • Marine Surveyors Notebook
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Typical Areas Included in a Pre Purchase Survey

 Below is a comprehensive Checklist for this type of survey. The extent of what is included in a survey will vary based on the circumstances and  vessel which is the subject of the survey

  • Registration documents (Flag state, CIN/HIN, Builder’s Plate)
  • Ownership history
  • CE/RCD  compliance (RCD Category, DoC, Annex XV, manuals)
  • VAT/Tax status evidence
  • Maintenance history & service records
  • Previous survey reports
  • Stability booklet (if applicable)
  • Engine logbooks, hours & service intervals
  • Insurance claims history


  • Hull material condition (FRP, steel, aluminium, wood, composite)
  • Osmosis survey (FRP) – moisture readings, blistering, delamination
  • Plate thickness measurements (steel/aluminium)
  • Weld inspection (aluminium/steel)
  • External hull plating/panels – impact damage, deformation
  • Keel/hull joint (sailing yachts)
  • Keel bolts, grounding evidence
  • Rudder condition, bearings & stock
  • Stern gear apertures, P-brackets, skegs
  • Through-hull fittings – material, bonding, valve operation
  • Antifouling condition and substrate adhesion
  • Sacrificial anodes & galvanic corrosion evidence


  • Structural members – floors, frames, stringers, bulkheads
  • Bulkhead bonding (FRP) / welds (metal craft)
  • Tanks (freshwater, fuel, black/grey) – condition & leaks
  • Bilges – structure, contamination, limber holes
  • Evidence of grounding, impact or fatigue
  • Transom structure & lifting points
  • Interior linings removed as accessible


  • Deck core moisture (for FRP/foam/balsa)
  • Cracks, crazing, gelcoat condition
  • Windows, hatches & portlights – seals and operation
  • Pulpits, stanchions & lifelines – integrity, bedding & backing plates
  • Guardrails, pushpits, deck safety gear
  • Toe rails, cleats, fairleads, bollards & windlass foundation
  • Cockpit sole & lockers – water ingress, hinges, drains
  • Hardtop, flybridge structures (motor yachts)
  • Davits, cranes, tender lifting arrangements


  • Helm operation (wheel/tiller)
  • Cables, hydraulic lines, rams & fluid levels
  • Autopilot drive unit
  • Rudder stock play, bearings & seals
  • Steering gear quadrant, tiller arm, mechanical linkages


  • Main engine(s) – visual inspection, mounts, leaks, corrosion
  • Compression evidence (record review or indication via running)
  • Belts, hoses, clamps
  • Fuel system – filters, lines, tank condition
  • Exhaust – waterlock, riser, backflow risk
  • Cooling systems – raw-water pump, strainers, coolant
  • Engine controls
  • Shaft, coupling, stern-gear alignment
  • Stuffing box / PSS / lip-seal condition
  • Propeller condition, pitting, cracks, blade geometry
  • Auxiliary engines / wing engines (if fitted)

Additional for Motor Yachts

  • Multiple engine synchronisation
  • Waterjet/IPS/Pod drive inspection
  • Power steering/hydraulic booster systemsAdd an answer to this item.


  • Batteries – condition, age, installation, securing
  • Charging systems – alternator, shore charger, solar/wind
  • 12V/24V DC distribution
  • 230V/120V AC system – polarity, protection devices
  • Shore power inlet, RCD/GFCI testing
  • Wiring condition, chafe points, bundling, terminations
  • Bonding and earthing systems
  • Generator – installation, starting, AC output
  • Inverters, isolation transformers


  • Fuel tanks – corrosion, baffles, breathers
  • Fuel filters & water separators
  • LPG installation – locker, drains, regulator, shutoff
  • Freshwater pumps, accumulator, heaters
  • Heads/toilets – manual/electric, hoses, Y-valves
  • Grey/black water tanks & discharge systems
  • Bilge pumps – automatic/manual, alarms
  • Seacocks – operation, bonding, material suitability


  • Fuel filters & water separators
  • LPG installation – locker, drains, regulator, shutoff
  • Freshwater pumps, accumulator, heaters
  • Heads/toilets – manual/electric, hoses, Y-valves
  • Grey/black water tanks & discharge systems
  • Bilge pumps – automatic/manual, alarms
  • Seacocks – operation, bonding, material suitability

Diesel heaters – installation, exhaust routing

  • Reverse-cycle AC units – running checks
  • Ventilation fans
  • Insulation, condensation issues


  • Chartplotter, radar, AIS (Tx/Rx), depth, log
  • Autopilot – function & steering engagement
  • VHF/DSC radio, antenna, handheld backup
  • Compass – deviation & mounting
  • Nav lights – LED/halogen, wiring
  • Wind instruments (sailing yachts)


  • Mast & boom – corrosion, cracks, fittings
  • Standing rigging – wire age, terminals, chainplates
  • Chainplate bedding & bulkhead attachments
  • Running rigging – halyards, sheets, blocks
  • Winches – condition, service status
  • Furler / reefing systems
  • Sails – condition, wear, UV strip, measurements
  • Mast step & compression post


  • Joinery condition, moisture/damp
  • Floors, stringers visible through access points
  • Upholstery, bunks, headlining
  • Galley systems – cooker gimbals, gas shutoffs, ventilation
  • Refrigeration
  • Condensation/mould evidence
  • Door latches, locks, hinges


  • Lifejackets & expiry dates
  • Liferaft – service date
  • EPIRB – battery date, GPS activation
  • Flares – expiry
  • Fire extinguishers & fire blanket
  • Fire suppression systems in engine room
  • Bilge pumps & alarms
  • Grab bag, torches, first-aid kit


  • Engine starting (cold)
  • Gear engagement
  • Vibration & alignment under load
  • Steering response
  • Trim, list, behaviour through waves
  • Autopilot test
  • Max RPM vs manufacturer specification
  • Windlass & anchoring test
  • For sailing yachts:
  • Hoisting sails, reefing, mast pumping, helm balance


  • Findings categorised (cosmetic / moderate / serious)
  • Critical defects requiring immediate attention
  • Structural or safety issues
  • Compliance gaps (RCD, ISO, MCA if applicable)
  • Market valuation based on condition & comparison


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Wicklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

+353 (86) 9191411

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