Fair Market Yacht & Boat Appraisal in Southeastern Florida
Fair Market Yacht & Boat Appraisal in Southeastern Florida
USPAP-compliant fair market value appraisals for financing, estate, legal, and donation needs — Treasure Coast to Miami Beach — Veteran Yacht Services, Stuart, FL.
If you need documented fair market value on a boat or yacht — for financing, an estate settlement, a legal matter, or a donation — a USPAP-compliant appraisal is the product built for that job. USPAP is the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Owners, attorneys, banks and lenders, and advisors land here for the same reason: they need value documentation, not a purchase walkthrough and not an underwriting checklist.
Veteran Yacht Services provides a USPAP-compliant appraisal that documents your vessel’s fair market value. Appraisals can be prepared for financing, estate settlements, legal cases, and donations.
This is not the same product as an insurance underwriting (C&V) survey. If you need coverage binding or renewal work, see our insurance marine survey page.
Ready to talk about an appraisal? Request a USPAP-compliant yacht appraisal quote, call 269-998-6767, or email john@veteranyachtservices.com.
What Is a USPAP-Compliant Fair Market Yacht Appraisal?
A USPAP-compliant fair market appraisal is a professional valuation of the vessel’s fair market value, prepared with USPAP coursework and USPAP context. Veteran Yacht Services offers this work for purposes such as financing, estate settlements, legal cases, and donations. It is a value-documentation product — not a buyer’s pre-purchase inspection, and not an underwriting insurance survey.
It is a USPAP-compliant appraisal backed by completed USPAP coursework. It is not an ASA professional appraisal designation, and it is not a “USPAP-certified appraiser” title.
Fair market value, documented for a purpose
The focus is fair market value documentation for a stated purpose: financing, estate settlements, legal cases, and donations. We don’t publish IRS form numbers, court-acceptance guarantees, or lender checklist templates on this page. Confirm what the requesting party actually needs when you book.
USPAP in plain language
USPAP is the standards framework for credible appraisal practice. John’s published education includes the USPAP 15-hour Course, plus later USPAP update courses listed below. We describe this work as a USPAP-compliant appraisal. That means completed USPAP coursework and an appraisal prepared in that context — not a separate credential titled “USPAP-certified appraiser.”
What this page leaves out
Valuation details belong in the assignment, not here. You won’t find sample comps, fee tables, or filler of the “typical value of a 40-foot…” variety on this page.
What a Yacht Appraisal Is Used For
A USPAP-compliant appraisal documents your boat’s fair market value for a stated purpose. Name the purpose when you call. It shapes how the assignment is set up, and it keeps you from ordering a survey when you need an appraisal, or the other way around.
Financing
Some lenders want a documented value before they’ll finance or refinance a boat. Ask the lender whether they want an appraisal, a survey or both, then call us with that answer. We don’t publish a list of lenders that accept our work, and we won’t promise any lender will accept it.
Estate settlements
When a boat is part of an estate, the executor, the family or the estate attorney usually needs a documented fair market value. We provide the appraisal. How the estate is handled is a question for your attorney.
Divorce
When a boat has to be divided or bought out in a divorce, both sides need a number they can point to. A USPAP-compliant appraisal gives a documented fair market value prepared for that stated purpose. We don’t give legal advice, and we don’t take sides. Your attorney can tell you what the court or the agreement needs.
Legal cases
Disputes over a sale, a partnership or damages can turn on what the boat was worth. We document value for the matter. We don’t promise a case outcome, and we don’t give a blanket expert-witness guarantee.
Donations
If you’re donating a boat, your tax advisor will tell you what documentation you need. We provide the fair market value documentation. We don’t give tax advice or IRS form instructions.
Insured value
Owners sometimes want a documented value to set or review how much the boat is insured for. Ask your carrier first: many want an insurance condition and value survey, which looks at risk as well as value. If the carrier wants a stand-alone appraisal, we can do that too. See insurance surveys if you’re not sure.
Other purposes
If the purpose isn’t on this list, call 269-998-6767 and describe it. If an appraisal isn’t the right product, we’ll tell you.
What to Have Ready
- The purpose (financing, estate, divorce, legal, donation, insured value or other)
- Vessel type and length
- Where the boat is kept: Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, elsewhere on the Treasure Coast, or farther south
- Any written instructions from the lender, attorney, executor, carrier or advisor
- Any earlier survey or appraisal report you have
USPAP-Compliant Appraisal vs. Insurance Survey (C&V) vs. Pre-Purchase
A USPAP-compliant appraisal documents fair market value for financing, estate, legal, and donation needs. That is this page. An insurance / C&V survey helps the insurer assess whether the vessel is a reasonable risk, evaluating structural components and general safety for its intended purpose. See insurance marine survey in Florida. A pre-purchase survey is a detailed condition and performance inspection before purchase. See pre-purchase marine survey in Florida. Damage / claim surveys are post-incident documentation — see our marine damage & claim survey in Florida page.
If a third party said “get an appraisal” but meant an underwriting survey — or the reverse — contact us and share the request. Better to clarify than to order the wrong product. For a plain-language overview of survey types, see our types of marine surveys guide.
What to Expect
Appraisal work starts with the stated purpose and the vessel. Where a physical inspection applies, we examine accessible areas: hull and deck, systems as far as they can be reached, non-destructive scope. The focus is fair market value documentation, not a purchase-negotiation toolkit and not an underwriting checklist. Confirm at booking what access, haul-out, and documentation this assignment needs. We don’t publish a fixed comps methodology, database names, or report page counts on this page.
Purpose and assignment clarity
Financing, estate, legal, donation, or another stated purpose — name it. Purpose drives how the assignment is framed.
Vessel access and inspection
Where a physical inspection applies, we work within accessible areas. No destructive testing as normal scope. If disassembly is required for a fair evaluation, we may recommend a qualified marine technician. Logistics — keys, yard, haul-out — get confirmed when you book. Haul-out is not an always-included package.
Written appraisal
You receive professional fair market value documentation for the stated purpose. Sample comps are not published on this page.
Related survey products
If you also need condition survey work — pre-purchase, insurance/C&V, or damage/claim — that may be a separate product. Confirm with us rather than assuming one assignment covers every need.
Why Choose Veteran Yacht Services for Your Appraisal
Veteran Yacht Services is a veteran-owned marine surveying company based in Stuart, FL, serving Southeastern Florida. We are SAMS, ABYC, and NFPA members. Appraisal work is led by John P. DeGoede IV, whose published Education includes the USPAP 15-hour Course, with additional completed USPAP update and ASA machinery/marine appraisal coursework (course certificates — not an ASA designation) and related survey training. He also holds a USCG Master license and instructs the Chapman School of Seamanship Yacht and Small Craft Surveying course.
Recent appraisal work includes a 94-foot yacht and a 105-foot yacht in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami area.
This is USPAP-compliant appraisal work and USPAP coursework completed. It is not an ASA professional appraisal designation, and it is not a “USPAP-certified appraiser” title. There is no such thing as a USPAP-certified appraiser.
Credentials and standards
- Veteran-owned and operated
- SAMS — Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (members)
- ABYC — American Boat & Yacht Council
- NFPA — National Fire Protection Association
- Offers USPAP-compliant fair market appraisals; John’s Education includes the USPAP 15-hour Course
- USCG 100-ton Master License, with Sailing and Towing endorsements
- Instructor, Chapman School of Seamanship — Yacht and Small Craft Surveying
USPAP and appraisal continuing education
The courses below are John’s USPAP and appraisal continuing education. Every ASA item is a course-completion certificate only. That is continuing education. It is not an ASA professional appraisal designation, and none of it creates a “USPAP-certified appraiser” title.
USPAP coursework completed
- Completed ASA course: 2024 15-Hour USPAP Update for Personal Property, Gems & Jewelry & Machinery & Technical Specialties
- Completed ASA course: 7-Hour USPAP Update for Personal Property, Gems & Jewelry & Machinery & Technical Specialties
American Society of Appraisers (ASA) — machinery, technical, and marine appraisal continuing education
Course completion only. Not an ASA designation.
- Completed ASA course ME101 — Fundamentals of Machinery and Technical Specialties Valuation
- Completed ASA course ME185 — Appraisal 101 for Marine Surveyors, Attorneys, Insurance Underwriters and Adjusters
- Completed ASA course ME186 — Yacht Appraising for the Marine Survey
- Completed ASA course ME201 — Introduction to Machinery & Equipment Valuation & Cost Approach to Value
- Completed ASA course ME202 — Sales Comparison Approach and Basic Appraisal Models (Apr 17, 2026)
- Completed ASA course ME203 — The Income Approach & Advanced Topics
- Completed ASA course ME204 — Report Writing
- Completed ASA course ME208 — Marine Survey
Related marine and legal continuing education
- Chapman Professional Mariner Training; Yacht & Small Craft Surveying; Fundamentals of the Damage and Claims Survey; Advanced Damage and Claim Survey
- ABYC Marine Electrical Advisor; ABYC outboard service, seacocks and thru-hulls, outboard/sterndrive corrosion
- IAAI Marine Fire Investigation; Preparation for the Marine Fire Scene; and related Florida ATC fire-investigation CE
- Boaters University: Diesel Maintenance & Troubleshooting
More on accreditation: marine surveyor accreditation.
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. Corridor context: small craft and yacht surveying.
How we approach cost
Don’t choose professional marine work mainly because it is the cheapest. Experienced SAMS and/or NAMS members charge a reasonable fee. Appraisal pricing is a custom quote for the vessel and the assignment. This page does not publish fee schedules, per-foot rates, or sample comps. Request a quote.
How to Request a Quote
- Use the contact form, or
- Call 269-998-6767, or
- Email john@veteranyachtservices.com
Helpful details when you reach out: appraisal purpose (financing, estate, legal, donation, or other), vessel type and LOA, location, and any lender, attorney, or advisor instructions you were given. If you’re not sure whether you need an appraisal, an insurance survey, or a pre-purchase survey, say so. We’ll help you sort it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USPAP-compliant fair market yacht appraisal?
A professional valuation of the vessel’s fair market value prepared with USPAP context. It is a value-documentation product for a stated purpose, not a buyer inspection and not an underwriting survey. “USPAP-compliant” and completed USPAP coursework are not the same thing as a “USPAP-certified appraiser” title, and they are not an ASA designation.
What purposes do you appraise for?
Financing, estate settlements, legal cases, and donations, as listed on our site.
Do donation appraisals meet IRS requirements?
Fair market value documentation for donation-related needs. Confirm requirements with your tax advisor — we don’t give tax advice or IRS form instructions.
How is an appraisal different from an insurance survey?
Insurance / C&V supports underwriting risk for coverage (insurance survey page). A USPAP-compliant appraisal documents fair market value for financing, estate, legal, and donation needs.
How is an appraisal different from a pre-purchase survey?
Pre-purchase is a detailed condition and performance inspection before you buy (pre-purchase survey page). An appraisal documents fair market value for a stated purpose. It is not a purchase-negotiation inspection.
Where do you work?
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. Home base: Stuart, FL.
Can I get a boat appraisal for a divorce?
Yes. A USPAP-compliant appraisal documents the boat’s fair market value for the stated purpose, which gives both sides a documented number. Veteran Yacht Services doesn’t give legal advice or take sides; your attorney can tell you what the court or agreement needs.
Do I need an appraisal or a survey to set my boat’s insured value?
Ask your carrier first. Many want an insurance condition and value survey, which looks at risk as well as value. If the carrier asks for a stand-alone appraisal, a USPAP-compliant appraisal documents fair market value for that purpose.
Do you need an appraisal to settle an estate with a boat in it?
An estate usually needs a documented fair market value for the boat. Veteran Yacht Services provides USPAP-compliant appraisals for estate settlements. How the estate is handled is a question for your attorney.
What do you need from me to start an appraisal?
The purpose (financing, estate, divorce, legal, donation, insured value or other), the vessel type and length, where the boat is kept, and any written instructions from the lender, attorney, executor or advisor. Any earlier survey or appraisal report helps too.
Do you do yacht appraisals on the Treasure Coast?
Yes. Veteran Yacht Services is based in Stuart, FL and does USPAP-compliant appraisals along the Treasure Coast, including Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound, and south through Palm Beach County to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Call 269-998-6767.
Wondering what it costs? See what drives marine survey cost, or read what a marine survey inspection covers.
Ready for a fair market appraisal quote? Request a USPAP-compliant yacht appraisal quote, call 269-998-6767, or email john@veteranyachtservices.com.
Boat damaged? See damage and claim surveys.
