Boat Research Packs for Used-Boat Buyers

Done-for-You Boat Research Packs for Used-Boat Buyers

Known issues, typical specs, and forum themes for a specific year/make/model — desk research packaged by Veteran Yacht Services.

Shopping a used boat and already eyeing a year, make, and model? Don’t worry about doing the homework — we’ll do it for you. John will pull what the public web and marine forums say about that model family, then package a clear summary so you can decide whether a candidate vessel is even worth a haul-out survey.

Disclaimer: A Veteran Yacht Services boat research pack (and Pricing research, if you add it) is desk research from public sources — a packaged summary about a year, make, and model. It is not a marine survey. It is not an appraisal (including not a USPAP appraisal). It is not an on-vessel inspection, and it does not replace a pre-purchase survey before you buy or a USPAP appraisal when you need documented fair market value.

Request a research pack or call 269-998-6767. When you’re ready for an on-vessel look, see our pre-purchase marine survey page.

What Is a Done-for-You Boat Research Pack?

A research pack is a written summary of publicly available information about a specific year, make, and model — commonly discussed known-issue themes, typical specifications, and recurring patterns from marine forums and the open web. Veteran Yacht Services packages that research into a clear buyer-facing summary. It is desk research — not an on-vessel inspection.

Built around one year / make / model

You tell us the target year, make, and model (plus any variant or engine notes you already know).

What you receive

A clear written summary covering known-issue themes, typical specs, and forum / reputation patterns as found in public sources — written for a shopper. Completeness isn’t guaranteed; public discussion can be wrong, outdated, incomplete, or not apply to a specific hull.

What you do not receive

No haul-out, sea trial, moisture readings, engine teardown, USPAP value conclusion, or “pass/fail” certificate. Nothing in the pack is a condition report on your candidate vessel — but rather a review of documented pros and cons of that model family / candidate vessel.

Research Pack vs. Survey vs. Appraisal

No — a research pack is not a marine survey and not an appraisal. A pre-purchase survey is an on-vessel (accessible-areas) condition and performance inspection with a written report. A USPAP-compliant appraisal documents fair market value for stated purposes. A research pack is desk research from public sources.

Research pack vs. pre-purchase survey

A pre-purchase marine survey inspects accessible areas of a real vessel and produces a written report. A research pack never visits the candidate vessel.

Research pack vs. USPAP appraisal

A USPAP fair market yacht appraisal documents value for financing, estate, legal, and donation needs. A research pack does not produce a USPAP appraisal conclusion. (USPAP = Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.)

Research pack vs. insurance / C&V survey

An insurance marine survey helps an insurer assess whether a vessel poses a reasonable risk. A research pack is not underwriting documentation.

Still deciding which product?

See our types of marine surveys guide, or request a research pack and describe where you are in the buy.

What’s Inside the Pack (and How We Research It)

Research draws on the public web and marine forums. Findings are organized into known-issue themes, typical specs, and recurring owner/shopper discussion patterns for that year/make/model. John packages a clear summary. Sources are public; completeness is not guaranteed.

Known-issue themes

Patterns commonly discussed for that model/year family — themes reported in public sources, not confirmed defects on the buyer’s specific hull.

Typical specifications

Publicly listed or commonly cited specs for orientation (length, power, layout themes as available). Not a substitute for the listing or builder documentation for this hull.

Forum and public-web themes

Reputation and ownership-pattern themes as they appear in public discussion. We don’t claim private-forum credentials or that we’ve read every thread ever posted.

How John packages it

John packages the summary for clarity. Gathering public material may be assisted by tools; what you get is still a clear written summary with boundaries — not “AI surveyed your boat.”

Pricing Research (Optional Companion Product)

Pricing research ($99) gives you a clear idea of what you should pay / expect to pay for a vessel (year/make/model and condition class as you describe). It uses trusted pricing sources and our many years of experience in the marine field. It is not a USPAP appraisal and not a survey — see the disclaimer near the top of this page.

What you get

A packaged summary so you have a grounded expectation of what to pay for that kind of vessel — not an “appraised value” and not a USPAP opinion of value.

How we price it

We draw on trusted pricing sources and our many years of experience in the marine field to frame what you should expect to pay.

Combined package

Want both model homework and a pricing expectation? Order the research pack and Pricing research together for $179.

How to request

Request a package or call 269-998-6767. Intake: year/make/model, location preferences if any, and whether you want the pack only, Pricing research only, or the combined package.

Pricing — What to Expect

Product	Price
Done-for-you research pack (one year/make/model)	$99
Pricing research (idea of what to pay / expect to pay)	$99
Combined (research pack + Pricing research)	$179

Request a research pack or call 269-998-6767.

Do I Still Need a Pre-Purchase Survey?

Yes — if you are serious about buying. A research pack helps you decide whether a year/make/model is worth pursuing. It does not inspect your candidate vessel. Before purchase, a pre-purchase marine survey remains the right product for purchase risk.

Lenders often won’t finance used boats without a professional survey, and insurers are often hesitant without one — see our pre-purchase and why get a survey pages.

When you’ve shortlisted a real boat, request a pre-purchase survey quote or call 269-998-6767.

Why Order a Research Pack from Veteran Yacht Services

Veteran Yacht Services is a veteran-owned marine surveying company based in Stuart, Florida, serving Southeastern Florida. We’re SAMS, ABYC, and NFPA members. Desk research is packaged by the same practice that does real surveys and appraisals — so moving to a pre-purchase survey is a natural next step when you’re ready.

Credentials

Veteran-owned and operated
SAMS — Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (members)
ABYC — American Boat & Yacht Council
NFPA — National Fire Protection Association
John P. DeGoede IV: lifelong boater and sailor; former Firefighter/Paramedic; United States Marine Corps veteran
USCG Master License, Near Coastal 50 GRT, with Sailing and Towing endorsements
Instructor, Chapman School of Seamanship — Yacht and Small Craft Surveying

More on credentials: marine surveyor accreditation.

Clear product boundaries

We won’t pretend desk research is a survey. The pack is homework; the survey is the inspection.

Path to the next step

Research pack → shortlist → pre-purchase survey quote when a real hull is on the table.

Service area

Based in Stuart; we serve Southeastern Florida including Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami Beach. Research packs are desk products and can be ordered remotely; surveys are scheduled in the corridor. Context: small craft and yacht surveying.

How to Request a Research Pack

Helpful details: year, make, model; any hull variant or engine notes you already know; a listing link if you have one; whether you want Pricing research too (or the $179 combined package); whether you’re local to SE Florida and may want a survey next; and your timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a done-for-you boat research pack?

A packaged written summary of publicly available known-issue themes, typical specs, and marine-forum / public-web discussion patterns for a specific year/make/model. John packages the summary. It is desk research — not an inspection of your candidate vessel.

Is this a marine survey?

No. See the disclaimer near the top of this page. A pre-purchase survey inspects accessible areas of a vessel — pre-purchase marine survey.

Is this an appraisal?

No. See the disclaimer near the top of this page. For documented fair market value, see our USPAP yacht appraisal page.

What sources do you use?

Public web sources and marine forums. We don’t claim access to every private group, and we don’t guarantee completeness.

How much does it cost?

Research pack $99. Pricing research $99. Both together $179.

Do I still need a pre-purchase survey?

Yes — if you plan to buy. Desk research helps you shop; it does not inspect the candidate vessel.

Who should skip the research pack and go straight to a survey?

Buyers who already have a specific hull under contract or a hard deadline, or who need lender/insurer documentation now, should start with the appropriate survey or appraisal product. See types of marine surveys.

Where is Veteran Yacht Services based?

Stuart, Florida, serving Southeastern Florida from the Treasure Coast through Miami Beach. Research packs are desk products; surveys are scheduled in the service corridor.

What is Pricing research?

$99 research on what you should pay / expect to pay for a vessel, using trusted pricing sources and our many years of experience in the marine field. Not a USPAP appraisal and not a survey.

Can I buy both?

Yes — combined package $179 (research pack + Pricing research).

Ready for desk research on a year/make/model? Request a research pack, call 269-998-6767, or email john@veteranyachtservices.com.

When you’ve shortlisted a real boat, request a pre-purchase survey quote.