Preparation Requirements
Our guidelines for preparing your boat for a survey
To ensure your survey runs smoothly & provides accurate results, certain steps should be made before the inspection takes place. This helps us to access all necessary areas of the vessel to be able to carry out a thorough assessment.
Please make sure the vessel is clean & accessible, with personal belongings & unnecessary equipment removed from lockers, bilges & storage compartments. Systems such as the engine, electrical supply & batteries should be operational & ready for testing, where possible. For out-of-water surveys you’ll need to arrange a haul-out with your local boatyard in advance.
Any documentation relating to the vessel—such as service history, maintenance records, or previous surveys—should be available on the day. If a sea trial is required, please ensure the vessel is fuelled, crew is available if needed & appropriate permissions are in place.
Let us know if there are any known faults or limitations in advance, as this allows us to tailor the inspection accordingly.
Following these steps helps maximise the value of the survey & ensures a more efficient, accurate service. If you have any questions about how to prepare, don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.
- All marine growth should be removed from the hull & fittings to allow full inspection of the underwater surfaces. Salt, marine fouling & slime retain moisture. The hull must be allowed to dry before any moisture readings can be taken.
- If the vessel is to be held in slings, an appropriate amount of time will need to be booked with the yard to allow inspection below the waterline to take place. Wooden boats in particular require extra time to be inspected. This cost is covered by the client.
- Keys & access to the vessel including all exterior lockers on the day will need to be arranged ahead of the survey.
- Relevant documentation should be made available, including invoices, service records & manuals.
- A mains power supply with fully charged, connected service batteries will be required if systems are to be tested. An adequate amount of fuel should be available if a river or sea trial has been agreed.
- Stowed belongings not relevant to the survey should be removed.
- Access panels & fastened soles should be released or removed to allow easy & efficient access.