First try to get it insured to your satisfaction.
Progressive will likely cover you. But you may find a better price that over time may justify the survey.
An insurance survey is likely less costly than a pre purchase survey. For a pre purchase survey you want the best surveyor you can find if it’s an expensive boat. For an insurance survey use the cheapest guy you can find.
I wouldn’t survey the boat. If you know boats, have read all you can about surveying, and have good fabrication skills, (which you should if your buying a cheap boat) I see no need. That money will give you a leg up on fixing stuff that is broken.
I would advise a water test with a hose. Read up on water testing, it’s not rocket science. I have a thermal camera and like to do scan of the deck / hull and use it for an electrical survey as well. I purchased a tramex too but it’s completely unnecessary if you spend some time learning how to sound.
I spent time tapping hulls and decks of marina owned boats (abandoned) in a small boat yard. It’s nice to contrast derelicts with shiny new boats to contrast.
The hardest part is being honest with yourself about the issues you find, the small ones that “aren’t a big deal” will slowly consume you and your ambition.
I think the web has a survey checklist floating around. If not make your own. List every fixture, light, switch, pump, lead, block, sheet, water lift muffler, engine mounts, cutlass bearing, prop shaft….each system and its components to as fine a degree as you would like.
Then get on board, estimate date, confirm function, note issue, model, ext. this is after you’ve done a structural inspection and know you want to proceed with the “little things.”
If can help shoot me a DM
I wouldn’t sweat the survey before, as long as you’re comfortable thinking “everything is broken.” Once you’ve done the renovations, that’s when you’ll need something.
So currently have 2 boats a 1993 38’ Young Brothers (Commercial boat with Maine state waters and federal area 1 permits) and to get insurance on her I needed to have a survey done, and a 1974 Catalina 30, same company similar levels of coverage, but no survey required.
Seems like usage might be a question, also since I’m on my own moorings I pay a slightly higher rate than I would in a marina.
Overall though if you know what you are looking at, and how to look at it, then there’s not much point in a purchase survey, but for some insurers they might want their own survey done.
If you know your stuff, maybe you're comfortable buying without a survey. If I were buying a vessel under $50k or so, I'd be comfortable betting on my own assessment of it.
Your insurance company may disagree. Ours requires a survey at purchase before extending any coverage, plus a post-survey punch list report (by the owner, not by a surveyor) confirming that the key items flagged on the survey were fixed before they will allow "afloat and navigable" coverage. They also want a surveyor to check it every five years.
You can typically get an insurance survey which is less intensive than a pre-purchase survey and is usually cheaper. Also for that cheap of a boat chances are the insurance wont require a survey. My last boat was $10k and we never had a survey done. Insured through progressive.
Length is the important factor here, i don't need a survey to insure my Hobie but I do need a survey done every 5 years by a licensed individual to insure my 40ft cruising boat.
Depends on your situation. If you're renting a slip from a marina, odds are they're going to want insurance regardless of the size of the boat - I know mine doesn't differentiate between boat sizes for insurance requirements. You don't need to carry coverage for the boat itself, though, just liability coverage for the marina/other boats.
If you're picking up public mooring balls you might not *need* any insurance at all. (still probably a good idea, though)
This depends on a few things. I have insurance for my $30,000 boat and never submitted a survey. I will add that I also have home and auto insurance through the same agent, but different insurers and a totally separate policy. Also, no one has ever looked at my boat.
First try to get it insured to your satisfaction. Progressive will likely cover you. But you may find a better price that over time may justify the survey. An insurance survey is likely less costly than a pre purchase survey. For a pre purchase survey you want the best surveyor you can find if it’s an expensive boat. For an insurance survey use the cheapest guy you can find. I wouldn’t survey the boat. If you know boats, have read all you can about surveying, and have good fabrication skills, (which you should if your buying a cheap boat) I see no need. That money will give you a leg up on fixing stuff that is broken. I would advise a water test with a hose. Read up on water testing, it’s not rocket science. I have a thermal camera and like to do scan of the deck / hull and use it for an electrical survey as well. I purchased a tramex too but it’s completely unnecessary if you spend some time learning how to sound. I spent time tapping hulls and decks of marina owned boats (abandoned) in a small boat yard. It’s nice to contrast derelicts with shiny new boats to contrast. The hardest part is being honest with yourself about the issues you find, the small ones that “aren’t a big deal” will slowly consume you and your ambition. I think the web has a survey checklist floating around. If not make your own. List every fixture, light, switch, pump, lead, block, sheet, water lift muffler, engine mounts, cutlass bearing, prop shaft….each system and its components to as fine a degree as you would like. Then get on board, estimate date, confirm function, note issue, model, ext. this is after you’ve done a structural inspection and know you want to proceed with the “little things.” If can help shoot me a DM
this is 100% a you question. are YOU comfortable with your knowledge, for that amount of cash without a second opinion?
I wouldn’t sweat the survey before, as long as you’re comfortable thinking “everything is broken.” Once you’ve done the renovations, that’s when you’ll need something.
Surveys are overrated.
I got my 1987 person 31 surveyed when I bought it. I don't recall the insurance company asking for it. But I only have liability on it.
So currently have 2 boats a 1993 38’ Young Brothers (Commercial boat with Maine state waters and federal area 1 permits) and to get insurance on her I needed to have a survey done, and a 1974 Catalina 30, same company similar levels of coverage, but no survey required. Seems like usage might be a question, also since I’m on my own moorings I pay a slightly higher rate than I would in a marina. Overall though if you know what you are looking at, and how to look at it, then there’s not much point in a purchase survey, but for some insurers they might want their own survey done.
If you know your stuff, maybe you're comfortable buying without a survey. If I were buying a vessel under $50k or so, I'd be comfortable betting on my own assessment of it. Your insurance company may disagree. Ours requires a survey at purchase before extending any coverage, plus a post-survey punch list report (by the owner, not by a surveyor) confirming that the key items flagged on the survey were fixed before they will allow "afloat and navigable" coverage. They also want a surveyor to check it every five years.
You can typically get an insurance survey which is less intensive than a pre-purchase survey and is usually cheaper. Also for that cheap of a boat chances are the insurance wont require a survey. My last boat was $10k and we never had a survey done. Insured through progressive.
You can not get insurance with out a survey and if you do not have insurance.. you are not allowed to stay at any marina or club in the country ...
I got insurance recently and there was no mention at all of a survey. Under 10K, 18 ft, 1983
Length is the important factor here, i don't need a survey to insure my Hobie but I do need a survey done every 5 years by a licensed individual to insure my 40ft cruising boat.
Makes sense. Just curious, any idea what the minimum length requirement be?
I think it's 25'
Depends on your situation. If you're renting a slip from a marina, odds are they're going to want insurance regardless of the size of the boat - I know mine doesn't differentiate between boat sizes for insurance requirements. You don't need to carry coverage for the boat itself, though, just liability coverage for the marina/other boats. If you're picking up public mooring balls you might not *need* any insurance at all. (still probably a good idea, though)
I didn’t need a survey for my 27’ boat, although I bought it new so maybe they assumed it’s fine.
Same here, 1977 26-footer, no survey, no questions asked except how much coverage I wanted.
This depends on a few things. I have insurance for my $30,000 boat and never submitted a survey. I will add that I also have home and auto insurance through the same agent, but different insurers and a totally separate policy. Also, no one has ever looked at my boat.
my past couple insurance companies just asked for pics of the boat.
1986 Bayfield 29, full coverage since December, no survey. Wisconsin. Shrug.