Typical Areas Included in a Pre Purchase Survey

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• 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