Protect your investment - verify safety & Value
Determine the type of Survey you need
Below are descriptions of Surveys addressing specific needs. In reality, many of our survey categories overlap to help you purchase, finance and insure your vessel. All surveys are extensive, legal documents, adhering to and citing mandatory regulations.
NOTE: Insurance & Finance Underwriters ALWAYS accept reports from SAMS AMS Surveyors, often requiring the designation, recognized as the industry's leading standard.
Gain professional advice. Confirm the boat is sound, meets mandatory safety requirements and determine its fair market value.
Learn standards used and what's involved.
Fulfill insurance underwriter's needs for a comprehensive condition & value report including replacement costs.
Learn how we fulfill your insurer's requirements.
Finance Appraisals
Before a lender commits to financing your vessel, they require our report including fair market valuation. We work for you and are bound to SAMS Marine Survey Code of Ethics.
Damage Claims
We work with insurers to assess damage costs. Or, we can work for you to offer a second professional opinion vs insurer appraisals and ensure repair standards.
Yacht Transport Inspections
During loading, securing and prior to transport, this survey offers you a legal snapshot of your vessels condition prior to a road journey.
Pre-Purchase Survey
Before you purchase, gain professional advice
When you find that boat you're interested in buying, you want to make sure it is structurally and mechanically sound, meets mandatory safety requirements, and is fairly priced.
The Pre-Purchase Survey is a thorough inspection including it's fair market value in it's current condition. This is a comprehensive evaluation including the boat's structural integrity, mechanical and electrical systems, engine and drive train, electronics, cosmetic condition, helm and steering, fuel tank and delivery, plumbing and through hulls and safety equipment.
Your Survey Report may typically range from 25 to 40 pages, depending on the vessel size and complexity. This includes photo documentation and a list of any deficiencies citing specific mandatory US Coast Guard regulations and Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and recommended standards of American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Deficiencies are documented and prioritized by safety level.
The survey generally requires the boat to be hauled to include non-destructive percussion and moisture testing of the hull and inspection of the keel, rudder and bearings, through hulls, drive shaft, sail drive or drive unit, propeller, struts, cutlass bearings and anodes.
An included sea trial should be conducted to evaluate steering and control functions, engine and drive system performance and overall vessel stability.
Although it often takes a full day to perform this Pre-Purchase Survey, we can generally deliver the report within 24 hours.
Ask our opinion...
We are happy to have a free discussion about the boat you are interested in and whether it's cost and other risk factors warrant a survey.
Insurance Inspections
Gain Insurance with a SAMS AMS Insurance Survey
You may have a boat and need insurance, particularly for acceptance into most marinas and Winter storage yards.
The Insurance Survey is a complete condition and value report that most leading insurance companies need for used boats you are purchasing but in many cases is also a requirement for many boats every 3 to 5 years. We work for you and our report is a legal, professional document fulfilling the requirements of insurance underwriters.
Although survey content overlaps with Pre-Purchase Surveys, the Insurance Survey delivers our valuation of the replacement cost and safety evaluations for their risk assessment toward coverage and premiums.
Boat owners, who perform upgrades and refits, should consider a new, current Insurance Survey to ensure enhanced coverage to protect their additional investment in their vessel
Insurance needs...
We would be pleased to speak with you about how our Insurance Survey meets the needs of Insurance Companies to protect your boat.