Expert Marine Surveyor in Florida
Buying a boat? See pre-purchase surveys or start with a boat research pack. Need a documented value? See yacht appraisals.
Damage and Claim Surveys After a Storm, Collision or Sinking
When a boat is damaged, the claim needs a clear record of what happened to it. We document the damage in accessible areas, write it up, and review the repair quotes. Every damaged item should be on the report, and nothing unrelated to the incident should be added. We work for owners, and for adjusters and insurers who need a local surveyor in Stuart and along the Treasure Coast. A damage survey documents findings. It doesn’t promise that a claim gets paid.
What to do after your boat is damaged · Damage and claim surveys
Pre-Purchase Surveys Before You Buy a Boat
Buying a boat? A pre-purchase survey is a detailed inspection of the vessel’s condition and performance before money changes hands. We inspect the accessible hull and deck structure and the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems, then write up what we find. The report also gives you the surveyor’s opinion of fair market value, which helps when you negotiate, budget for work, or walk away.
Buyers often want a haul-out and a sea trial for a fuller picture. The buyer pays for and arranges the haul-out. The seller arranges for the captain to run the boat during the sea trial or limited trial run. The limited trial run or sea trial is included, and I always recommend the buyer be present for the survey.
A pre-purchase survey is not the same survey as an insurance condition and value survey. The purpose is different. When you first buy a boat, the pre-purchase survey can work for insurance. After a couple of years, the insurance company may ask you to get an insurance survey before renewing your policy.
We are based in Stuart, FL, and survey along the Treasure Coast and south through Miami. Pre-purchase surveys
Call 269-998-6767.
USPAP-Compliant Yacht and Boat Appraisals
When you need a documented fair market value, a USPAP-compliant appraisal is the product built for it. Our appraisal work is led by an Accredited Senior Appraiser, Machinery & Technical Specialties, Marine Surveys – Yachts (ASA). Owners, attorneys, lenders and advisors order them for financing, estate settlements, divorce, legal cases, donations and insured value. Tell us the purpose when you call, and we’ll make sure you order the right product.
Boat Research Packs for Buyers Before a Survey
Still shortlisting boats? We do the desk research on the year, make and model you’re considering: known issues, typical specs and what owners and surveyors report. Do this homework before you pay for a haul-out and survey. A pack is not a survey or an appraisal. Order online and you’ll get a confirmation email with a PayPal link.
Insuring or renewing? An insurance condition and value survey helps the insurance company decide whether the vessel is a reasonable risk. We look at structural components and general safety for the boat’s intended use. Insurance surveys
Who Does the Work
Veteran Yacht Services is veteran-owned and operated. John P. DeGoede IV leads the surveys and appraisals. He is a SAMS Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS), an Accredited Senior Appraiser, Machinery & Technical Specialties, Marine Surveys – Yachts (ASA), a USCG 100-ton Master with Sailing and Towing endorsements, and instructor of the Chapman School of Seamanship Yacht and Small Craft Surveying course. We are members of SAMS, ASA, ABYC and NFPA.
Where We Work
We’re based in Stuart, FL. We survey along the Treasure Coast, including Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, and south through Palm Beach County to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Stuart and Treasure Coast surveys
For a quote, use the contact form or call 269-998-6767.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a marine surveyor in Stuart, FL do?
We inspect boats and write a report of what we find in accessible areas. From Stuart, FL, we do damage and claim surveys, pre-purchase surveys, USPAP-compliant appraisals, and boat research packs for buyers who are still shortlisting. Call 269-998-6767 if you are not sure which one you need.
Which survey do I need after my boat is damaged?
After a storm, collision, grounding, fire, or sinking, you need a damage and claim survey. We document the damage in accessible areas, write it up, and review the repair quotes. The report is a record of findings, not a promise that the claim gets paid.
Do I need a survey before I buy a used boat?
Yes. A pre-purchase survey is a detailed condition and performance inspection before money changes hands, with a written report you can use to buy, renegotiate, or walk away. If you are still shortlisting year, make, and model, start with a boat research pack, then book the survey once you have a specific boat.
Types of Marine Surveys
Pre-purchase, insurance, appraisal or damage claim? Each survey answers a different question, and ordering the right one saves time and money.
Survey Costs
Why the cheapest survey can cost you more.
Overview of Inspection
During the inspection process, our expert marine surveyors thoroughly examine all accessible areas of the vessel, from the bow to the stern. This includes a comprehensive review of the hull and deck structures, as well as the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.
However, it’s important to note that we don’t engage in destructive testing, so we don’t disassemble any systems or compartments to gain access to every part of the vessel. Any fixed parts or compartments are not considered “accessible” within the normal scope of our inspection.
That said, if disassembly is required to assess the condition of a particular system, our surveyor may recommend a further inspection by a qualified marine technician as part of the report.
In addition, our report includes the surveyor’s opinion of the vessel’s fair market value, which is helpful when setting a sale price or negotiating a purchase price.
We also offer:
- Yacht Deliveries
- Consulting
- Private Boat Handling Instruction
