Procedure for a yacht survey
The path to a safe purchase decision

From the on-site inspection to the report: Here you can find out how an inspection typically works, which areas are inspected and how you can best prepare yourself.

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Below you will find a brief overview of the classic procedure for a boat or yacht survey in Croatia, Slovenia or Italy.

A checklist for optimal preparation also ensures that everything runs smoothly on the day of the assessment.

The path to your survey report

How a yacht appraisal typically works

A good survey stands and falls with the preparation. If access, documents, craning, test drive and contact persons are clarified in advance, the yacht can be inspected on site in a structured manner and without unnecessary interruptions.

01

Send request

You submit yacht details, berth, exposé and desired time frame for the preparation of the offer.
02

Coordinate appointment

Coordination of the viewing appointment with the buyer, broker, owner, skipper and marina.
03

Prepare yacht

Prepare access, keys and documents. Cover the entire body and tarpaulins.
04

On-site assessment

Carrying out the assessment and recording the findings in accordance with the agreed scope.
05

Sea Trial

If agreed: Testing of motor, cooling, control, switching, instruments and behavior under load.
06

Report and decision

Photo documentation, findings, priorities and recommendations as a basis for purchase or repair planning.

Optimum crane planning

Which crane variant fits your survey?

In practice, most questions arise around craning. The decisive factor is whether a moisture measurement is planned, whether the yacht is to remain ashore after the survey or whether it is to go straight back into the water.

Variant 1

Moisture measurement or osmosis check

For a usable moisture measurement, the boat must be dry for at least 5 days. A measurement directly after uncraning is only of limited value.

  • AT LEAST 5 DAYS DRYING TIME Crane the boat in good time and clean the underwater hull.
  • DRYING PHASE ON LAND The underwater hull can dry out.
  • SURVEY TAG Inspection, moisture measurement and further testing on board.
  • SEA TRIAL If a sea trial has been agreed, the boat is put back in the water after the inspection on land.

Variant 2

Boat should remain on land

This option is ideal if antifouling, polishing, repairs, service work or winter storage are planned immediately after the inspection.

  • PRE-MAY Launch with inspection in the water and testing of the systems on board.
  • THEN Sea trial / test drive, if agreed.
  • AFTERNOON Craning and cleaning the underwater hull.
  • CONCLUSION Inspection of hull, rudder, propeller, shaft, saildrive/Z-drive, anodes and onboard passages.

Variant 3

Boat should remain in the water

This procedure makes sense if the yacht is to continue to be used after the survey or is to remain at the mooring.


  • EXCHANGE Either the day before or on the morning of the day of the tour.
  • PRE-MAY Start with inspection of the UW ship, drives, rudder, etc...
  • CRANE BACK INTO THE WATER Ideally in the late morning or early afternoon
  • THEN Sea trial and other inspections in the water

A tip for saving costs

If no moisture measurement has been agreed and the boat is to remain in the water after the inspection, it is usually sufficient to leave the boat on the crane or travel lift for approx. 40 minutes to 1 hour on the day of the inspection.

Advantage: In most marinas you then only pay for ONE crane operation.

For a smooth process

Checklist for optimal preparation

In order to ensure a smooth process for all parties involved, you will find below a list of all organizational matters that need to be clarified in the run-up to the viewing. We will of course be happy to support you through all these steps.

Obtain consent from the owner

Of course, every appraisal first requires the owner’s consent.
Responsibility: Client, broker

Clarify insurance cover

If a test drive is to be carried out, it must be ensured that the boat has valid hull cover.
Responsibility: Client, Broker

Organize skipper

In the event that neither the client nor the owner are present during the test drive, a skipper authorized by the owner is required.
Responsibility: Client, broker, owner

Arrange crane or slip appointments

Please note that in the event of a moisture measurement, the boat should be taken out of the water at least 3 days before the assessment.
Responsibility: Client, broker, owner

Planning and unplanning

All covers or winter persennings must be taken down before the survey and then re-planned.
Responsibility: Client, broker, owner

Ensure access and paperwork

Ensure that all necessary keys (access, motors) are available for the inspection. In the case of a test drive, also the necessary registration documents.
Responsibility: client, broker, owner

Save time, avoid gaps

Typical delays Avoid

Below you will find a list of typical pitfalls that delay the assessment process or prevent individual checks. Please pay particular attention to these.

Batteries empty

Service and starter batteries should be charged and ready for operation.

Fresh water tank empty

Ensure a minimum fill level for testing the boiler and pumps.

Lack of access

Bulky or heavy objects restrict accessibility.

Machines warmed up

To assess the cold start behavior, do not warm up the machines in advance.

Missing keys

A classic that occurs again and again.

Lack of insurance cover

…or permits for carrying out the Sea Trial.

Result: The survey report

Structured
report

Clearly structured according to areas, findings and priorities (depending on the order).

Comprehensive
photo documentation

For the best possible traceability for all parties involved.

Recommendations &
Priorities

Clear prioritization of all findings and recommendations for repair.
Years of experience with boats
0 +
Expert opinion
375 +
Independent
50 %
View reference reports

Frequent Questions

The duration of the inspection depends primarily on the type of boat, size and scope of the inspection. For boats or yachts up to 50 feet, the inspection can usually be carried out within one day. For larger yachts, a second day may be required, depending on the equipment. The exact duration will be stated in the offer.

Visual access is useful for a meaningful assessment of the underwater hull. We recommend a crane in any case.

As a rule, the client, broker or owner organizes the crane appointment. The buyer usually bears the costs for craning or handling the marina.

If the weather is unsuitable, the sea trial may be postponed or only carried out to a limited extent. Inspection on land or at the mooring is often still possible, provided the conditions are safe. Additional travel costs may be incurred in the event of a postponement.