Pre-purchase survey
A full condition and value survey before you commit. Hull, systems, safety gear and seaworthiness, with findings ranked so you know what to negotiate.
For buyersKnow the boat before the water does.
Accurate, standards-based marine surveys for buyers, owners and insurers across the Mid Island and beyond. Every vessel inspected by an ABYC-certified surveyor who spent years running a boatyard.
Home port Nanaimo, BC
Pos 49°10′N 123°56′W
Standard ABYC
Tel 250-618-2112
Reading 01/06
Hull laminate · moisture 9–12% · dry
Example readings
Survey types
Six ways we help you make the right call on a boat
Whether you're buying, renewing your insurance or dealing with damage, each survey is built around the decision you need to make, and every report is written so you can act on it.
Insurance survey
Condition and valuation surveys for new policies and renewals, written to give your underwriter exactly what they ask for.
For owners & insurersDamage assessment
After a grounding, collision, sinking or storm, we document the cause and extent of damage and the repairs needed to put it right.
For owners & adjustersVessel appraisal
An independent fair market value for financing, estates, donations or a private sale, backed by condition and comparable vessels.
For lenders & sellersHull & structure inspection
A focused look at laminate, moisture, blistering, keel and stringers when you only need to know whether the structure is sound.
For ownersConsultation & advice
Talk through a listing, a repair quote or a refit plan with someone who has run a boatyard and knows the standards.
For anyone with a boat questionWhat we inspect
Bow to stern, measured against ABYC standards
The American Boat & Yacht Council writes the safety standards boats are built to in North America. We survey against them station by station, so a finding comes with a reason, not just an opinion.
Profile · Laminate & structureScale nts
Station 01 of 07Hull & structure
- STN 01
Hull & structure
Percussion sounding and moisture readings across the laminate. Blisters, delamination, stringers, bulkheads and keel attachment.
Laminate · keel bolts · bulkheads - STN 02
Through-hulls & seacocks
Every opening below the waterline: fitting material, bonding, hose condition, double clamping and whether each valve actually closes.
ABYC H-27 - STN 03
Fuel systems
Tanks, fills, vents, lines and shut-offs, checked for leaks, chafe, labelling and correct routing away from heat and ignition sources.
ABYC H-24 gasoline · H-33 diesel - STN 04
AC & DC electrical
Panels, overcurrent protection, battery installation, wire sizing and shore power. The system where most fires start.
ABYC E-11 - STN 05
Galley & LPG
Propane locker venting, solenoid shut-off, regulator and line runs, and a leak test of the system.
ABYC A-1 - STN 06
Fire & safety gear
Extinguishers, detectors, bilge pumps and alarms, plus the Transport Canada required equipment for the vessel's length.
ABYC A-4 · TC Small Vessel Regs - STN 07
Steering & running gear
Rudder, bearings, shaft, cutless bearing, propeller and the steering system from helm to tiller arm.
Rudder · shaft · propeller
Accurate & reliable reports
A report you can actually use
Each finding is given a priority and paired with a recommendation, so you can see at a glance what's urgent, what can wait and what to bring to the negotiating table. See for yourself in a real, redacted pre-purchase report.
- Plain-language findings with photos
- Priority ratings for every recommendation
- Valuation where your lender or insurer needs it
- Efficient turnaround, then a walk-through of the results
Full sample report · PDF
Pre-purchase condition & valuation survey
Open the sample report
Excerpt · 2017 Boston Whaler 345 Conquest
| System | Finding | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Hull & gelcoat | Very good condition; random moisture readings within the meter's normal range | Sound |
| Distress signals | All recorded signals were expired | A |
| Engine cooling | Salt-like deposits at port and centre charge-air coolers | B |
| AC & batteries | Source grounding untested; no galvanic isolator located | V |
REC 1 / A Before departure, replace with a current Transport Canada-approved, voyage-appropriate set of distress signals.
A before departure · B before use · C maintenance · V specialist check
How it works
Four legs from first call to final answer
No guesswork about what happens next. You'll know when we're coming, what we'll check and when your report lands.
1
Contact us
Call or send the form with your vessel details and timeline. We'll confirm the right survey and book a time, in or out of the water.
2
Survey inspection
A thorough, hands-on inspection of the vessel, inside and out, against ABYC standards.
3
Detailed report
A written report on condition with clear, prioritised recommendations, delivered with an efficient turnaround.
4
Expert advice
We walk you through the findings and answer questions, so you can buy, insure or repair with confidence.
Your surveyor
Steve Allen
“I spent years fixing boats before I started surveying them. I know where the problems hide.”
Steve began his marine career as the owner of a boatyard and repair facility in Nanaimo, where he gained broad, hands-on experience repairing and maintaining all kinds of vessels.
He went on to study the ABYC Marine Standards and earned certification as a Marine Standards Advisor. Today he brings both sides to every survey: a repairer's eye for trouble and a surveyor's discipline for documenting it.
Experience15+ years in the marine industry
BackgroundBoatyard & repair facility ownerNanaimo, BC
CertificationABYC Marine Standards AdvisorAmerican Boat & Yacht Council
Home portNanaimo, Mid IslandTravelling across the Island and beyond
Why an ABYC-certified surveyor
ABYC standards are the benchmark for safety and compliance on recreational boats. A certified surveyor inspects to those standards, which gives buyers, sellers and owners a consistent, defensible picture of a vessel's condition.
What it means for you
Findings tied to a recognised standard carry weight with insurers, lenders and sellers. You get a report that holds up in a negotiation and a clear path to making the boat safe.
Photo gallery
From the dock, the travel lift and the engine bay
A look at recent surveys and the kind of details we document. Tap any photo to see it larger.
Service area
Mid Island and beyond
Based in Nanaimo and surveying at marinas, boatyards and haul-outs across Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Port Hardy and out to the west coast. Farther afield? Ask. We travel for the right job.
South Island
VictoriaLangfordSidneySookeDuncanChemainus
Mid Island · home port
NanaimoLadysmithGabriolaLantzvilleParksvilleQualicum BeachPort Alberni
North Island
CourtenayComoxCampbell RiverPort Hardy
West Coast
TofinoUcluelet
Range rings · 25 / 50 / 100 nmCentred 49°10′N 123°56′W
Request a survey
Tell us about the boat.
Phone250-618-2112
Emailassuredmarinesurvey@gmail.com