Marine Surveyor in Palm Beach County
Marine Surveyor in Palm Beach County
Veteran Yacht Services does pre-purchase surveys, insurance condition and value surveys, damage surveys and yacht appraisals in Palm Beach County, including Jupiter, Juno Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Palm Springs, Lake Worth, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. 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.
We work in Palm Beach County several times a month. Buying farther south? See our Fort Lauderdale and Miami marine surveyor page.
Surveys we do in Palm Beach County
Pre-purchase survey
Buying a boat in Jupiter, Palm Beach or Boca Raton? Get a pre-purchase survey before money changes hands. 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.
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 also includes an appraisal of the boat’s value. See yacht appraisal.
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.
Boat research packs
Want to know a model’s known issues before you make the trip to see it? A boat research pack covers known issues, typical specifications and pricing research. 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 in Palm Beach County
Yards we work at here include Cracker Boy Boat Works and Seminole Marine.
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 center consoles and yachts up to 70 feet.
Recent work in the area
We recently surveyed a 28-foot center console here.
Scheduling and travel from Stuart
A travel charge applies when the boat is more than a one-hour drive from Stuart. The drive from Stuart takes 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Boats in Jupiter have no travel charge. Boats in Boca Raton have a travel charge. See what drives the cost of a marine survey.
After a storm
When a hurricane or storm hits Palm Beach County, from Jupiter to Boca Raton, we survey damaged boats for owners and their insurers. We work in the county several times a month, at yards that include Cracker Boy Boat Works and Seminole Marine. A damage survey documents what the storm did to your boat, for your own records or for the insurance claim. To set one up, read about our damage and insurance claim surveys or call 269-998-6767.
What a client said
“John did a survey on my boat last week. Great guy, punctual, very thorough, honest, a veteran, and offered suggestions and recommendations. I was more than happy with his services and will definitely use him in the future.”
Chad M., Google, April 2026
Frequently asked questions
Who should I hire for a pre-purchase boat survey in Palm Beach County?
Hire an experienced surveyor who is a member of SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) and/or NAMS (National Association of Marine Surveyors). Be careful with a surveyor who charges much less than everyone else. Veteran Yacht Services does pre-purchase surveys across Palm Beach County, led by John P. DeGoede IV, a USCG 100-ton Master and SAMS member. Call 269-998-6767.
Do you do yacht appraisals in Jupiter?
Yes. We do yacht appraisals in Jupiter and across Palm Beach County, for financing, estate settlements, legal cases and donations. Every survey we do also includes an appraisal of the boat’s value. See yacht appraisal or call 269-998-6767.
Do you travel from Stuart to Boca Raton?
Yes. Boca Raton is in our service area, which runs from Vero Beach to Miami Beach. A travel charge applies when the boat is more than a one-hour drive from Stuart, and it applies to Boca Raton.
What does a survey cost in Palm Beach County?
We quote each boat. Boats up to 50 ft are quoted by the foot and larger boats by the job, and travel beyond a one-hour drive from Stuart adds a charge (none for Jupiter). We don’t publish rates. See marine survey cost.
Do I need to arrange the haul-out?
Yes. The buyer arranges and pays for the haul-out with the boatyard. Sea trial time is part of our pre-purchase quote.
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.
