Pre-purchase yacht and motorboat surveys, Solent and Hampshire
Pre-purchase condition surveys for yachts and motorboats across the Solent, Southampton, Hamble, Portsmouth, Lymington, Cowes and the south coast. Nick Palmer MIIMS.
Hull, deck, rig, engine installation, systems and equipment, in and out of the water where the yard can lift her.
Findings ranked so you can see at a glance what's safety-critical, what needs doing soon, and what's cosmetic.
Not the broker. I don't soften findings to keep referrals coming, and I'll say so plainly if I think you should walk away.
Ring or email after the report with questions, or ask me to look again at anything the seller has since put right.
What a pre-purchase survey covers
This is the deepest look I take at a boat. The point is to give you enough to decide whether to buy, walk, or go back to the seller with a list.
If the yard can lift her, I’ll go over:
- Hull and structure: moisture readings, gelcoat condition, keel and skeg attachment, signs of previous repair or grounding, anything that hints at osmosis.
- Deck, superstructure and fittings: deck moisture, non-slip, stanchion bases, cleats, hatches and windows.
- Rig and sails (on yachts): standing and running rigging, mast and boom, chainplates, sails where I can see them.
- Engine and drivetrain: a visual inspection of the installation, mounts, exhaust, cooling, sterngear and steering. If you want a proper engine survey, I’ll bring in a marine engineer.
- Electrics and plumbing: batteries, charging, distribution, seacocks, hoses and through-hulls.
- Safety kit: gas, fire equipment, nav lights, general provision.
What you get
A written report, usually with you inside a week. Photos throughout, findings ranked (safety-critical, essential, recommended, cosmetic), and some notes on maintenance and likely future spend so you’re not caught out.
Where I work
Most of my surveys are on the Hamble (Port Hamble, Mercury, Universal, Swanwick), in Southampton (Ocean Village, Shamrock Quay, Kemp’s, Saxon Wharf), around Portsmouth and Gosport (Haslar, Gosport Marina, Port Solent), on the west Solent (Lymington, Beaulieu, Bucklers Hard), on the Isle of Wight (Cowes, East Cowes, Yarmouth, Bembridge), and in Chichester Harbour and Emsworth. Poole too, and further afield if the job warrants it.
Booking
See pricing for a rough idea of cost, or drop me a line with the boat’s details and where she is and I’ll come back to you.