Why the Final Pre-Purchase Survey Report Matters — A Descriptive Guide Buying a boat is more than a purchase: it’s a commitment to safety, maintenance costs and long-term value. The final pre-purchase survey report turns an inspection into usable knowledge. A well-written descriptive report tells the story of the vessel’s… Read More »Pre Purchase survey report
“How old is the saildrive boot?” It’s a question I almost always ask, and almost always get the same answer: silence, followed by “Look, I don’t know—I think they replaced it.” No documentation, no invoice, no legible label. Out of 490 survey reports in my archive, 80 concern boats with… Read More »Saildrive: The Boot Whose Age No One Knows
I’m glad to share that I’ve just completed and been awarded the Certificate in Superyacht Surveying from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy (Informa Connect Academy). Superyachts are not simply larger boats. They are bespoke vessels, each one different, where construction, machinery, safety systems and the rules that govern them must be read… Read More »Lloyd’s Maritime Academy Certificate in Superyacht Surveying
Keel‑to‑Hull Repairs: When Good Lamination Hides a Bad Bolt The Danger of “Over-Lamination” in Hull-to-Keel Repairs: When GRP Thrives but Mechanics Fail A textbook hull-to-keel joint is the ultimate backbone of a sailboat’s safety. Yet, during my marine surveys, I frequently encounter a paradox: structural repairs that are flawless in… Read More »Keel bolts and nuts – Pre purchase survey discover
This short video shows some issues that have come to light during pre-purchase inspections.Osmosis can manifest in various forms, and therefore must be treated in different ways.Osmosis is not an enemy to be feared: you just need to understand it. Out of over 500 inspections we’ve performed on yachts in… Read More »Osmosis video
This weekend, we decided to mark on a map the places we’ve visited over the past two years. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing many interesting boats and meeting lots of boat owners, captains, brokers, and shipyards… We hope the coming years continue in the same vein! Interactive map of… Read More »Where we’ve been over the past two years: nearly 500 surveys!
When I board a boat for a pre-purchase inspection, one of the first things I do is walk the deck. Not a quick stroll, but a systematic walk, with a small plastic hammer in my hand and my ear to the deck. It looks like a quaint ritual, and to… Read More »Soft spots in the deck: the sounding test that few know how to perform properly
The video of the survey for the Azimut 26 meters provides an in-depth look at the inspection conducted at the prestigious Azimut shipyards in Viareggio by SEA Superyacht Experts Alliance. Together with my team, we carried out a thorough inspection on land, having the privilege of examining every detail of… Read More »Azimut 26M survey
Measurement of Paint Thickness on Fiberglass: A Non-Destructive Test to Assess Quality and Condition Painting fiberglass materials is a crucial process in various applications, from boating to industrial sectors. Assessing the state and quality of the paint is not only important from an aesthetic point of view but also essential… Read More »NDT on paintings of fiberglass boat
The Lead Keel: Resilience and Memory of an Impact In the world of sailing, the keel is a fundamental element for the stability and safety of a sailboat. Among the various types of keels, those made of lead offer unique characteristics that deserve to be explored, especially when discussing their… Read More »Lead keel, hidden crash.