Boat surveys explained
Which survey does she need?
Buying, insuring, after damage, a valuation or SPVC 2025 coding. Plain answers, and surveyors who offer each one.
Survey by survey
Find the one that fits.
Buying a boat
A pre-purchase survey looks at the whole boat before you buy: hull, deck, rig, engine and systems. It is usually done out of the water, often with a short sea trial, and it helps you agree the price and arrange insurance.
Find surveyors for thisInsurance
An insurance survey records the boat's condition and value for your insurer. Insurers often ask for one on an older boat, or at renewal.
Find surveyors for thisAfter damage
A damage survey records what happened, what needs repairing and what it may cost, usually for an insurance claim.
Find surveyors for thisA valuation
A valuation gives the boat's market value, for a sale, a loan or an estate.
Find surveyors for thisSPVC 2025 coding
A coding examination checks a small vessel against the MCA's Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code before it is used commercially for sport or pleasure, such as for charter. It is arranged with a Certifying Authority.
What the 2025 Code changedBoat Safety Scheme
A Boat Safety Scheme examination checks an inland boat's gas, fuel and electrical installations. Most UK inland waterways ask for a current certificate. It looks at safety installations only, so many buyers also commission a pre-purchase survey.
Narrowboats: BSS examination or survey?Before you instruct a surveyor
Ask well. Arrive ready.
Seven questions worth asking
- Which professional body do you belong to?Membership means training, a code of conduct and a complaints route.
- Do you hold professional indemnity insurance?Ask for the insurer and the level of cover.
- Out of the water, afloat, or both?A pre-purchase survey usually needs a lift-out. Who books it?
- Is a sea trial included?And who provides the skipper and the fuel.
- May I see a sample report?It shows how clearly they explain what they find.
- When will the report be ready?Useful if a sale or an insurance renewal has a date.
- What does the fee cover?Travel, lift-out, rig or engine inspections can be extra.
Before survey day
Owners ask
Good questions.
What is the difference between a survey and a BSS examination?
A Boat Safety Scheme examination checks an inland boat's gas, fuel and electrical installations against a fixed list. A survey looks at the whole boat, the hull and engine included. Many narrowboat buyers arrange both.
Do I need a survey for insurance?
Insurers often ask for one on an older boat, or at renewal. Ask your insurer what they need. A recent pre-purchase survey may be enough.
Can one surveyor do more than one kind?
Often, yes. Many surveyors offer pre-purchase, insurance and valuation surveys. Each listing shows the surveys that surveyor offers.
Find a surveyor near your boat.
Free to search. A free account keeps your shortlist on the website and in the app.
