Sailboat & Rigging Survey – Cocoa Beach, FL

Sailing Vessel Inspections on the Space Coast

A sailboat survey needs to consider the hull, auxiliary systems, and the sailing rig as related parts of the vessel. Great River & Lakes – Marine Surveying Co. welcomes sailboat and rigging survey inquiries around Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, and the nearby Indian River and Banana River waterways.

Our Cocoa Beach office is planned to open in November 2026. Contact us to confirm availability, the vessel's location, and the required inspection scope. Tell us whether the assignment is for purchase, insurance, general condition, or a specific rigging concern.

General Sailboat Survey or Specialized Rig Inspection?

A general marine survey can include accessible mast supports, chainplates, deck fittings, steering, auxiliary machinery, and rigging observations within its scope. It does not automatically include climbing the mast, removing fittings, unstepping the rig, or inspecting every concealed attachment.

If you need an aloft inspection, a rigger's evaluation, or access to hidden components, discuss it before the appointment. The agreed method and access should be clear in the quote and report. Photographs from deck level cannot establish the condition of every masthead fitting or internal component.

What Sailing-Vessel Areas May Be Examined?

• Accessible hull structure, bulkheads, deck, and mast support areas.

• Visible chainplates, standing and running rigging, and deck hardware.

• Steering, rudder arrangements, and accessible keel attachments.

• Auxiliary engine installation, fuel, electrical, plumbing, and bilge systems.

• Navigation equipment, ground tackle, and safety equipment.

• Sails and sail-handling equipment to the extent agreed and safely accessible.

Age, design, construction, modifications, and access affect the inspection plan. Provide maintenance records and known concerns, including any rig replacement, grounding, dismasting, water intrusion, or structural repair history.

Planning the Rigging Access

Tell us whether the mast is stepped, unstepped, or partially disassembled. An unstepped mast may allow access to areas that are difficult to view from deck, while some loaded or operating conditions will not be demonstrated. Agree on the limitations rather than assuming one arrangement covers every inspection need.

Remove unnecessary stored gear from accessible inspection areas where safe. Obtain permission from the owner and facility for the proposed work. Specialist rigging activity may need separate scheduling and equipment; confirm responsibility and cost in advance.

Haul-Out Near Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island

Underwater access may be needed to examine the keel, rudder, propeller, shaft, saildrive, through-hull fittings, and hull bottom. Harbortown Marina in Merritt Island advertises haul-and-launch services. Confirm current lift suitability, draft clearance, scheduling, outside-contractor access, and charges directly with the yard. No affiliation is implied.

Supply length, beam, draft, weight, keel type, and lifting instructions. For a catamaran, beam and cross-structure configuration are especially important to the handling plan. A boat located on the Banana River or at Port Canaveral may require a movement plan and an agreed operator to reach the selected facility.

Sailing and Auxiliary-Power Trials

An operating trial can be included when appropriate to the assignment and conditions. Discuss whether the purpose is to observe auxiliary propulsion, steering, sail handling, or other systems. The seller or an agreed qualified operator remains responsible for vessel handling.

Weather, depth, operating space, access, and vessel readiness can limit what is safely demonstrated around the lagoon waterways or during a coastal trial. The report should identify uncompleted tests and the reasons. A short engine run at the dock is different from an underway evaluation.

Catamarans and Cruising Sailboats

Catamarans may involve twin machinery installations, two hulls, bridge-deck and cross-structure areas, and duplicated systems. Cruising monohulls may have extensive charging, navigation, water, and other equipment accumulated through refits. Send a current equipment list so the scope reflects the actual boat.

Engine diagnostics, oil analysis, moisture measurements, thermal imaging, or borescope inspection may supplement the survey when appropriate and available. These are not automatically included in every package and do not replace a specialized rig or machinery evaluation.

Insurance and Purchase Requirements

If the insurer has asked for a rigging report or a particular inspection method, send its written instructions before booking. Confirm that the recipient accepts the proposed scope and surveyor qualifications. A general condition report may not satisfy a separately requested rig inspection.

Buyers should allow time after the inspection for specialist opinions, repair estimates, and reviewing findings before acceptance. See our Cocoa Beach pre-purchase survey page for the broader purchase process.

Request a Sailboat Survey Quote

Request a survey with year, builder, model, length, beam, draft, rig type, engine details, exact location, and intended use. Include the mast's current arrangement, requested haul-out or trial, and any insurer checklist. Call 1-877-921-2628 or email surveyor@greatrivermarine.com.

Local planning reference: Harbortown Marina services. Photo: Port Canaveral marina by Balou46, November 11, 2015, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed to fit the page; an area photograph, not a rigging inspection.