Pre-Purchase Boat Survey in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Great River Marine Surveying provides professional pre-purchase boat surveys in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and throughout the Geneva Lake boating area, including Williams Bay, Fontana and surrounding Southern Wisconsin communities.

A boat purchase can involve a substantial investment, and appearance alone does not reveal the condition of the hull, structure, propulsion machinery, electrical systems or other equipment aboard the vessel.

Our pre-purchase surveys provide buyers with an independent professional assessment before completing the transaction.

Pre-Purchase Boat Surveys in Lake Geneva

A pre-purchase marine survey is designed for buyers considering the purchase of a used boat or yacht.

Depending upon vessel type, configuration and accessibility, the inspection may include:

• Hull and structural components

• Deck and cockpit

• Transom

• Stringers and bulkheads

• Main propulsion engines

• Outboards or sterndrives

• Transmissions

• Fuel systems

• Steering equipment

• AC and DC electrical systems

• Batteries and charging equipment

• Shore-power systems

• Plumbing

• Bilge systems

• Navigation electronics

• Safety equipment

• Ground tackle

• Interior accommodations

• Installed marine equipment

The purpose is to identify observable conditions that may affect safety, reliability, value or the buyer's decision to proceed with the purchase.

Why Have a Boat Survey Before Buying?

A used vessel can contain deficiencies that are difficult for a buyer to recognize during a walkthrough.

Examples may include:

• Moisture intrusion

• Structural deterioration

• Soft deck areas

• Transom problems

• Previous collision damage

• Improper repairs

• Electrical deficiencies

• Fuel-system deterioration

• Aging hoses

• Machinery concerns

• Deferred maintenance

• Freeze-related damage

• Inoperative equipment

Finding significant issues before closing gives the buyer an opportunity to make a more informed decision about the vessel.

Depending upon the purchase agreement, survey findings may also help the buyer determine whether to proceed, request repairs, renegotiate or seek additional specialist inspections.

Powerboat Pre-Purchase Surveys

Geneva Lake supports a substantial recreational powerboat market.

Great River Marine Surveying can provide purchase surveys for qualifying:

• Bowriders

• Runabouts

• Wake and surf boats

• Performance boats

• Deck boats

• Pontoon and tritoon boats

• Cabin cruisers

• Express cruisers

• Fishing boats

• Motor yachts

• Larger recreational powerboats

Powerboat inspections consider the propulsion configuration as well as the vessel itself.

Depending upon the boat, propulsion may include single or multiple outboards, sterndrives or conventional inboard engines.

Yacht Pre-Purchase Surveys

Larger boats and yachts can contain significantly more equipment than smaller recreational vessels.

A yacht may incorporate:

• Twin propulsion engines

• Generator systems

• Multiple battery banks

• Shore-power equipment

• Inverters

• Battery chargers

• Air-conditioning

• Heating systems

• Navigation electronics

• Hydraulic equipment

• Extensive plumbing

• Multiple heads

• Galley equipment

Each additional system can affect the vessel's condition, maintenance requirements and future ownership costs.

For that reason, a yacht purchase survey should evaluate accessible structural, mechanical and electrical systems as part of the complete vessel.

Engine & Propulsion Inspection

Propulsion machinery is often one of the most expensive components aboard a boat.

Depending upon propulsion type and accessibility, the survey may include observable portions of:

• Engines

• Engine mounts

• Outboards

• Sterndrives

• Transmissions

• Cooling systems

• Exhaust systems

• Fuel systems

• Propeller shafts

• Propellers

• Steering systems

• Engine controls

• Instrumentation

Operational testing may be conducted when practical.

Additional services such as compression testing, oil analysis or specialized engine diagnostics may be appropriate depending upon the vessel and engine configuration.

Internal mechanical evaluation or computerized manufacturer diagnostics may require a qualified engine technician.

Hull & Structural Inspection

The vessel's hull and structure are fundamental parts of a pre-purchase survey.

Depending upon construction and accessibility, inspection may include observable:

• Hull surfaces

• Deck structure

• Transom

• Stringers

• Bulkheads

• Hull-to-deck joint

• Engine beds

• Structural supports

• Keel

• Rudder

• Interior structural areas

Fiberglass vessels may be evaluated for observable cracking, moisture concerns, soft areas, delamination, impact damage and evidence of previous repairs.

Electrical & Marine Systems

Modern boats can contain extensive electrical equipment.

The survey may review accessible:

• Batteries

• Battery switches

• Electrical panels

• Circuit protection

• Shore-power connections

• Battery chargers

• Inverters

• Wiring

• Navigation lighting

• Bilge pumps

• Navigation electronics

• Other installed electrical equipment

Electrical problems can range from relatively minor deficiencies to issues affecting reliability or safety.

Out-of-Water Inspection

For a comprehensive pre-purchase survey, an out-of-water inspection is strongly recommended whenever practical.

Hauling the vessel allows the surveyor to inspect areas that cannot be properly evaluated while the boat remains in the water.

These may include:

• Underwater hull

• Propellers

• Shafts

• Struts

• Rudders

• Sterndrives

• Through-hulls

• Transducers

• Anodes

• Keel

• Bottom coatings

• Evidence of grounding or impact

The buyer generally coordinates and pays the marina or boatyard directly for haul-out services.

Sea Trial

A sea trial allows the vessel and propulsion systems to be observed under operating conditions.

Depending upon boat type and agreed scope, observations may include:

• Engine startup

• Operating RPM

• Engine temperatures

• Gear engagement

• Steering

• Throttle response

• Trim systems

• Navigation electronics

• Vessel handling

• Vibration

• Bilge systems

• Other operational equipment

A sea trial complements the static inspection but does not replace specialized mechanical diagnostics.

Freshwater & Winterization Considerations

Geneva Lake is a freshwater boating environment, but vessels in Wisconsin also experience seasonal storage and winterization.

Improper winterization can damage:

• Engines

• Generators

• Freshwater plumbing

• Water heaters

• Air-conditioning equipment

• Pumps

• Sanitation systems

When a boat is surveyed while winterized, certain systems may not be available for complete operational testing.

Those limitations can be documented in the survey report.

Independent Survey Reports for Boat Buyers

Following the inspection, Great River Marine Surveying prepares a professional written report documenting the vessel's observable condition within the agreed survey scope.

Reports may include:

• Vessel information

• Equipment observations

• Photographs

• Survey findings

• Recommendations

• Identified deficiencies

• Valuation information when included in the assignment

The marine surveyor is independent of the seller, broker and repair facility and provides findings based upon the vessel's condition at the time of inspection.

Serving Lake Geneva, Williams Bay & Fontana

Great River Marine Surveying already provides marine-survey coverage throughout Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, Fontana and Geneva Lake, including pre-purchase, insurance, appraisal and Condition & Value work.

Pre-purchase inspections can be coordinated at:

• Marinas

• Boat dealerships

• Storage facilities

• Boatyards

• Private docks

• Other accessible vessel locations

Our broader Chicago-area service territory also provides coverage throughout Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

Schedule a Pre-Purchase Boat Survey in Lake Geneva

If you are considering purchasing a boat or yacht in Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, Fontana or elsewhere on Geneva Lake, contact Great River Marine Surveying Company before completing the transaction.

Provide the vessel's year, manufacturer, model, length, propulsion type and current location.

Survey requests can also be submitted online at GreatRiverMarine.com/surveyrequest.

Great River Marine Surveying Company

Lake Geneva & Southern Wisconsin

1-877-921-2628