Survey & On-Water Demonstration
Survey day is the day the truth comes out. The haul-out, the mechanical inspection, the on-water demo — and what to watch for in each.
What Survey Day Covers
The Surveyor Sets the Agenda
Your surveyor sets the order of work for survey day. The buyer pays all costs for the survey, the haul-out, and the mechanical inspection.
Haul or Nothing
Skipping the haul-out is the single most expensive mistake a trawler buyer can make. Out of water is the only way to evaluate hull, props, shafts, and rudders honestly.
Mechanical Inspection
A separate diesel mechanic — independent of the surveyor — inspects engines and major systems. Two sets of expert eyes catch what one set will miss.
The Clearest Eyes
A good surveyor brings the clearest eyes on the boat. Be present, ask questions, take notes, and let them work without rushing the process.
On-Water Demonstration
The underway demo proves how the boat actually performs — engines under load, steering, electronics, and the rhythm of running her at cruising RPM.
Document Everything
Photos, videos, notes, deficiency lists. The record of survey day is what shapes the renegotiation conversation that follows.
Five Questions for Survey Day
Is your surveyor independent of the seller and listing broker?
Have you scheduled a separate diesel mechanic for the engine inspection?
Are you hauling the boat to inspect everything below the waterline?
Will the on-water demonstration include running at cruising RPM long enough to load the engines?
Are you photographing and noting every deficiency in real time?
The Long Versions
The PassageMaker articles that walk through every part of survey day.
Haul Over the Map
Every pin marks a survey day Jeff and the JMYS team have attended — boats in the slings, in yards across the country and beyond. See the full #SlingsShots gallery and our coast-to-coast survey reach on Haul Over The Map.
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