Marine Surveyor in Fort Lauderdale and Miami
Marine Surveyor in Fort Lauderdale and Miami
Veteran Yacht Services does pre-purchase surveys, insurance condition and value surveys, damage surveys and yacht appraisals in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, including Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood, Miami, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. The surveyor is John P. DeGoede IV, a USCG 100-ton Master, SAMS member and United States Marine Corps veteran, based in Stuart, FL. Call 269-998-6767.
Buying farther north? See our Palm Beach County marine surveyor page.
How to find a good surveyor when you’re buying in Fort Lauderdale
Start with credentials. Experienced surveyors are members of SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) and/or NAMS (National Association of Marine Surveyors) and keep up with those organizations’ strict educational and ethical standards. Anyone can print a business card or set up a website claiming to be a surveyor.
Be careful with the cheapest quote. A surveyor who charges much less than everyone else is typically inexperienced or not fully committed to the profession. An experienced surveyor charges a reasonable fee, delivers a complete survey of the vessel’s condition, and gives useful feedback on repair options and resources.
Know what the survey should cover. Every system is inspected, tested if possible, recorded and written up. Engine internals aren’t opened, and no computer is hooked up for fault codes. Read the overview of a marine survey inspection and our pre-purchase survey page.
Surveys we do in Broward and Miami-Dade
Pre-purchase survey
Get a pre-purchase survey before you buy a new or used boat. The report covers the vessel’s overall condition and performance. Sea trial time is part of our pre-purchase quote, and one pre-purchase survey can cover both buying and insurance. See pre-purchase marine surveys.
Insurance condition and value survey
An insurance survey helps the insurance company decide whether a vessel is a reasonable risk. We evaluate the boat’s structural components and its general safety for its intended use. See insurance marine surveys.
Damage and claim survey
We do damage surveys for owners and insurers. See damage and insurance claim surveys.
Yacht appraisal
An appraisal gives you the boat’s fair market value for financing, an estate settlement, a legal case or a donation. Every survey we do includes an appraisal of the boat’s value. See yacht appraisal.
Boat research packs
A boat research pack covers a model’s known issues, typical specifications and pricing research before you buy. It is desk research and does not replace a survey.
Who does the survey
John P. DeGoede IV holds a USCG 100-ton Master License with Sailing and Towing endorsements and is a SAMS member. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a former Firefighter/Paramedic. He is one of the instructors for the Chapman School of Seamanship Yacht and Small Craft Surveying course. More on his accreditation and memberships.
Where we work here
Marinas and yards we work at here include Hurricane Cove Marina and Boatyard, Epic Marina and Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center.
The buyer arranges and pays for the haul-out with the boatyard. We recommend the buyer be there for the survey.
Boats we see here
We survey vessels ranging from 25-ft center consoles to 100-ft yachts.
Recent work in the area
We recently completed appraisals on a 94-foot yacht and a 105-foot yacht, and a pre-purchase survey on a 41-foot center console.
Scheduling and travel from Stuart
We work in Broward and Miami-Dade several times a month. A travel charge applies when the boat is more than a one-hour drive from Stuart. The drive from Stuart takes 1.5 to 3 hours, so a travel charge applies to boats in Broward and Miami-Dade. See what drives the cost of a marine survey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a good marine surveyor in Fort Lauderdale?
Look for an experienced surveyor who is a member of SAMS and/or NAMS, and be careful with the cheapest quote. Ask what the survey covers and get a written quote before you book. Veteran Yacht Services does pre-purchase surveys in Fort Lauderdale, led by John P. DeGoede IV, a USCG 100-ton Master and SAMS member. Call 269-998-6767.
Do you survey boats in Miami and Miami Beach?
Yes. We survey in Miami, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, and we work in Miami-Dade several times a month. The drive from Stuart takes 1.5 to 3 hours, so a travel charge applies.
What’s the difference between SAMS and NAMS surveyors?
SAMS is the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors and NAMS is the National Association of Marine Surveyors. Both are professional organizations with strict educational and ethical standards for their members. John P. DeGoede IV is a SAMS member. Ask any surveyor which organization they belong to.
Request your survey quote
Tell us about the boat and where it sits, and we’ll send you a free quote. Request a quote or call 269-998-6767.
