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• What qualifications do you have ?
As the founder partner of Yacht and Boat Surveys Ltd, I hold the Diploma in Yacht and Small Craft Surveying and am a full member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying. In addition, I have been involved in boating for the past 40 years. In that time, I have owned a diverse range of craft, both sailing and powered boats, have undertaken a number of renovation projects and have recently built two GRP day sailers
• Do you belong to a professional body?
Yes, I am a member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying with qualifications in marine surveying that are also recognised by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.
• Are Yacht and Boat Surveys Ltd Insured?
Yes, we carry full professional indemnity insurance.
| Bottom board and locker bottoms will be lifted during a survey and that is why it is helpful if the boat is stripped out prior to the survey. | • What type of boats do you survey?
Yacht and Boat Surveys Ltd carry out surveys on all type of craft, especially wood, steel and GRP up to 45m in length.
• How much does the survey cost?
We work to a formula supported by the International Institute of Marine Surveying that relates length to beam, with an adjustment to take into account particular complexities. Our minimum fee is £150 (inc VAT) and an approximate guide would be to work on £10/ft LOA.
• What do I get for my money?
As well as peace of mind, knowing that you have the fullest possible information about the investment you are about to make or professional advice about the condition of your existing investment, the survey you receive from Yacht and Boat Surveys Ltd will be in line with the agreed format of the International Institute of Marine Surveying, (the professional body to which Yacht and Boat Surveys Ltd belongs). The bound report you receive will be between 10 – 30 pages and be fully illustrated.
• Does my vessel have to be out of the water to be surveyed ?
Essentially yes, although, pending a risk assessment, we can usually undertake a survey if the craft is ‘in the crane slings’. However, if it is not possible to have the craft out of the water, preferably 4 – 5 days prior to the survey, we can carry out a limited survey but clearly we can not comment on the underwater part of the craft.
| Without stripping this down further and taking the paint back to bear metal, the vertical rust line on the heel of the rudder might be indicative that the casting has cracked. If so, the rudder is at danger of breaking away. | • How long does a survey take?
That depends on the size and complexity of the craft. For a comprehensive pre-sale survey on a 30 footer, Yacht and Boat Surveys Ltd would expect to allow a working day.
• How soon after the survey will I receive the report ?
On completion of the survey, we will contact you by either phone or email to give you a verbal synopsis of our findings. The fully illustrated report, (which will be between 10 and 30 pages in length) will be with you within the next 5 working days.
• Do you do osmosis tests?
Yes, we take moisture readings where it is appropriate to do so, i.e. provided the craft has been out of the water for at least 5 days and it’s not raining ! If there is visual evidence of significant osmotic degradation, then this would feature in the report and we would want to discuss forward action with you.
• Do you do engine surveys?
The general condition of the engine and associated equipment, as much as can be ascertained at the time of the survey, is included in the report. However, we would not run the engine up nor test the transmission in action since, ideally for a survey, the craft should be ashore. In addition, we do not carry out tests such as compression test, exhaust emission or water outflow temperature / rate. If the condition of the engine or installation indicates that more detailed reporting is advised, we will discuss this with you. 
| This engine was actually in good condition and had been looked after but the associated wiring needed to be tidied up. |
• Do you do issue gas and electrical safety certificates?
As part of the report, we discuss the condition of installations such as gas, electricity, water and fuel lines. We do not however, as part of a routine survey issue safety certificates. If the issuing of such certificates is a requirement for you to meet perhaps insurance company requests or Local Boat Safety Schemes then at the time of agreeing the scope of the survey we will discuss this with you.
• Do you survey rigging?
Assuming the mast is stepped, we can only comment on those parts of the spars and rigging that we can reach from deck level. If, following assessment of the spars and rigging at this level there are indicators that a more comprehensive survey of the rigging may be required, this will form a recommendation in the report and at that stage we can discuss with you how to take that forward. 
| The owner of this Eventide had laid out all the spars and rigging so that a detailed report could be provided.
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• If repair work is involved, do you indicate what should be done and how much it might cost?
Yes, this will form part of the recommendations.
• Can you recommend yards to do the work?
We can certainly contact local yards on your behalf, discuss requirements and offer advice to you. However, one of the Codes of Practice of the International Institute of Marine Surveying, of which we are members, is that surveyors must at all times retain their independence.
• Are you able to oversee the work?
Yes, one of the services we offer is comprehensive project management. Our rates for this can be discussed.
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