A Mechanic’s Straight Talk on Boat Pre-Purchase Inspection Costs

For 15 years, I’ve had my hands deep in the engines and hulls of boats all over South Florida, from Miami up to Fort Lauderdale. I fix ’em when they break. But before the fixing, there’s the buying. And I’ve seen more guys get excited and buy a floating money pit than I can count. They see a shiny topside and fall in love, not realizing there’s a $10,000 nightmare waiting for them just below the waterline.

That dream of cruising out past Stiltsville can turn into a headache real fast if you skip the most important step: a professional pre-purchase inspection. It ain’t like buying a car. A boat’s biggest, most expensive problems are almost always hidden. A good marine surveyor is your best defense against buying someone else’s neglected project.

People always ask me, “How much is this gonna cost?” and they get nervous about the price. I get it. But let me tell you, the cost of a good survey is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of a new engine or a major hull repair. Understanding these costs before you make an offer is how you stay in control.

So let’s break it down, no fluff. Here’s what you’re really looking at when you pay for a boat inspection, based on what I see every day in the boatyards.

Your First Line of Defense: What a Survey Really Is

Before we talk numbers, let’s be clear on what a pre-purchase marine survey is. Think of it this way: it’s the boat’s complete physical exam. A certified expert comes in and checks the vessel from bow to stern, inside and out. It’s an impartial, professional deep dive into the boat’s true condition.

Why is this so critical? Because I’ve seen it happen. A guy named Ray bought a 38-foot Sea Ray a few years back without a survey. Looked great at the dock. Two months later, he calls me because he’s taking on water. Turns out, the stringers had hidden rot. It was a massive, expensive job that would’ve been caught instantly by any decent surveyor. A survey protects you from that kind of disaster. For any serious buyer, it is absolutely non-negotiable.

The Numbers: Breaking Down Per-Foot Costs and Haul-Out Fees

The industry standard for pricing a survey is based on the length of the boat. It’s a simple system.

Most surveyors in Florida charge somewhere between $20 to $35 per foot. The exact price depends on their experience and your location. So, for a 35-foot boat, you’re looking at a baseline cost of about $700 to $1,225 for the surveyor’s time and report.

But that’s not the whole story. The biggest “extra” cost you need to budget for is the haul-out fee. You have to get the boat pulled out of the water to properly inspect the hull, running gear, and thru-hulls. There’s no skipping this. Haul-out fees are paid directly to the boatyard and typically run about $20 per foot, sometimes more for wider catamarans.

To give you a real-world picture of the total cost, I put this table together based on what I see from here to the Keys.

Boat Size (Length)	Estimated Survey Cost (@ $25/ft avg.)	Estimated Haul-Out Cost (@ $20/ft)	Total Estimated Cost
25-foot Center Console	$625	$500	$1,125
35-foot Cruiser	$875	$700	$1,575
45-foot Sportfish	$1,125	$900	$2,025
55-foot Motor Yacht	$1,375	$1,100	$2,475

Remember, these are estimates. But they show you how the costs stack up. Don’t be surprised when the bill has two parts: one for the surveyor and one for the yard.

What Else Changes the Price? It’s Not Just About Length

That per-foot rate is just a starting point. Several things can move the needle on your final bill. I’ve seen guys get surprised by this, so pay attention.

• The Boat’s Complexity. A simple center console with one outboard is a quick job. A 50-foot Viking with twin diesels, a generator, complex electronics, and multiple air conditioning units? That’s a whole different animal. The more systems there are to check, the more time it takes, and the higher the cost.
• Age and Condition. An older boat needs a much closer look. I surveyed a 1985 Bertram last spring, and I spent an extra two hours just checking for moisture in the hull and corrosion in the wiring. A boat that’s been sitting and looks neglected is a red flag that means more digging for the surveyor. More time equals more money.
• The Type of Survey. Make sure you’re asking for a “full pre-purchase condition and value survey.” That’s the one you need for insurance and financing. Some surveyors offer cheaper, less detailed options like an “insurance renewal survey.” Don’t fall for that; it’s a false economy. It won’t give you the detail you need to make a smart buying decision.
• Travel Time. If the boat is sitting in Key Largo and your preferred surveyor is based in Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay for their travel time and mileage. Always ask about this upfront.
• Sea Trial. The survey should include a sea trial to test the engines and systems under load. Most surveyors include this in their fee, but you should always confirm. You don’t buy a car without a test drive; don’t buy a boat without a sea trial.

“Walk-Throughs” and Small Boats: Don’t Get Cheap on Me Now

I sometimes get calls from guys buying a smaller boat, maybe a 22-footer, asking if they can get by with a cheaper “walk-through” evaluation instead of a full survey. Some surveyors offer this for an hourly rate, maybe $150-$200 an hour. They’ll walk the boat with you and point out what they see, but you don’t get a detailed written report.

Drives me nuts. This is the worst place to save a buck. Without that written report, you have no leverage for negotiation and nothing to give your insurance company. A small boat can still have big, expensive problems. A waterlogged transom on a 22-foot boat can cost $5,000 to repair—way more than the $600 you would’ve spent on a proper survey to find it.

What I Look For: Protecting You From a Money Pit

When I’m hired for a survey, I become your detective. My job is to find every single issue that could cost you money or put you in danger.

We go through the engine and mechanical systems with a fine-tooth comb. I’m checking for leaks, corrosion, weird noises, and signs of poor maintenance. I found a cracked exhaust manifold on a MerCruiser during a sea trial last month—a $3,000 repair the buyer would have inherited.

The hull and structure are next. With the boat out of the water, I’m tapping the hull, looking for delamination, osmosis blisters, and signs of past accidents. The integrity of the hull is everything.

Then it’s the electrical and plumbing systems. I can’t tell you how many boats I see with nightmarish, amateur wiring. It’s a fire waiting to happen. We test every pump, every light, and every switch to make sure it’s safe and functional.

Finally, we check all the safety gear—fire extinguishers, life jackets, flares. It all has to be up to code. Every problem I find goes into the report with a photo. This isn’t to scare you; it’s to arm you with facts.

Using the Report to Your Advantage

That survey report is your single most powerful negotiation tool. If my report says the boat needs $8,000 worth of repairs, you now have two options:

1. Ask the seller to fix the issues before you close the deal.
2. Negotiate $8,000 off the asking price so you can handle the repairs yourself.

Without that professional, written report, it’s just your word against theirs. With it, you have documented proof from a certified expert. It gives you all the power. And when you go to get a loan or insurance, they are going to demand a copy of that survey. It’s a non-negotiable part of the process.

Finding the Right Surveyor

Don’t just search online and pick the cheapest guy. Look for a surveyor with credentials from SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) or NAMS (National Association of Marine Surveyors). It means they’ve been tested and are held to a professional standard.

Even more important, find someone who has experience with the specific type of boat you’re looking at. A guy who surveys sailboats all day might not be the best choice for a high-performance powerboat. Ask for a sample report so you can see the level of detail they provide. A good surveyor is worth their weight in gold.

My Final Word

Look, a pre-purchase inspection isn’t an “expense.” It’s an investment in your peace of mind. It’s the smartest money you’ll spend in the entire boat-buying process. It’s what lets you sign the closing papers with confidence, knowing you’re bringing home a dream, not a disaster waiting to happen.

So, do your homework. Find a good surveyor, budget for the survey and the haul-out, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a boat if the report is ugly. There’s always another boat out there. Making a smart, informed decision is how you make sure your time on the water is all fun and no frustration.

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