Sailboat & Rigging Surveyor Chicago IL

Great River Marine Surveying provides professional sailboat surveys, rigging inspections and sail condition evaluations in Chicago, Illinois and throughout the Lake Michigan boating market.

We work with sailboat buyers, owners, insurance companies, lenders, brokers, yacht clubs and marinas requiring independent vessel inspections and professional written marine survey reports.

Chicago is one of the Midwest's most significant sailing markets, with sailboats operating from multiple Lake Michigan harbors and yacht clubs throughout the city and North Shore.

Great River Marine Surveying's Chicago operation already provides sail and rigging surveys as part of its established marine-survey services.

Sailboat Surveying Services in Chicago

Great River Marine Surveying provides a range of professional inspection services for sailing vessels.

Services may include:

• Pre-Purchase Sailboat Surveys

• Insurance Sailboat Surveys

• Condition & Value Surveys

• Rigging & Sail Surveys

• Standing Rigging Inspections

• Running Rigging Inspections

• Chainplate Inspections

• Mast & Boom Inspections

• Sail Condition Evaluations

• Sailboat Appraisals

• Damage Surveys

• Hull & Structural Inspections

• Electrical System Inspections

• Auxiliary Engine Inspections

• Mechanical & Systems Inspections

• Sea Trials

• Out-of-Water Hull Inspections

The exact scope depends upon the vessel, purpose of the survey, accessibility and requested services.

Pre-Purchase Sailboat Surveys in Chicago

A professional pre-purchase sailboat survey provides an independent evaluation of the vessel before a buyer completes the transaction.

Sailboats incorporate structural and operating systems that differ significantly from those found on many powerboats.

Depending upon the vessel and agreed scope, the inspection may include accessible portions of the:

• Hull

• Deck

• Cabin structure

• Bulkheads

• Stringers

• Keel

• Rudder

• Steering system

• Standing rigging

• Running rigging

• Chainplates

• Mast

• Boom

• Deck hardware

• Winches

• Sail-handling equipment

• Auxiliary engine

• Fuel system

• Electrical systems

• Plumbing systems

• Navigation electronics

• Safety equipment

• Interior accommodations

• Ground tackle

• Other installed equipment

When appropriate and available, the pre-purchase survey may also include an out-of-water inspection and sea trial.

Sailboat Rigging Inspections

Rigging is one of the most important systems aboard a sailing vessel.

Great River Marine Surveying provides rigging and sail condition evaluations for sailboats in the Chicago and Lake Michigan market.

Depending upon accessibility, the inspection may examine:

• Shrouds

• Stays

• Turnbuckles

• Terminals

• Chainplates

• Attachment points

• Running rigging

• Mast components

• Boom components

• Deck fittings

• Winches

• Blocks

• Sail-handling equipment

• Other accessible rigging components

Our existing rigging service is a visual, non-destructive inspection of accessible components. Deck-level rigging is normally inspected to approximately 10 feet above deck, while spreaders, tangs and upper rigging can be evaluated when the mast is unstepped or otherwise made accessible.

Standing Rigging Inspection

Standing rigging supports the mast and is a critical structural component of a sailing vessel.

Depending upon accessibility, the surveyor may visually evaluate:

• Upper shrouds

• Lower shrouds

• Forestays

• Backstays

• Turnbuckles

• Swaged terminals

• Mechanical terminals

• Clevis pins

• Cotter pins

• Toggles

• Chainplates

• Mast attachment areas

• Other accessible fittings

Observable conditions may include:

• Corrosion

• Broken wire strands

• Cracking

• Deformation

• Loose fittings

• Improper installation

• Wear

• Age-related deterioration

• Other visible deficiencies

Because many upper-rig components cannot be adequately inspected from deck level, additional access may be required when a more comprehensive rigging evaluation is requested.

Chainplate Inspections

Chainplates transfer rigging loads into the vessel's structure and deserve particular attention during sailboat inspections.

Where accessible, our surveyors may evaluate chainplates and surrounding areas for observable:

• Corrosion

• Leakage

• Moisture intrusion

• Cracking

• Movement

• Deformation

• Fastener concerns

• Deck deterioration

• Structural deterioration

• Other visible conditions

Interior access varies greatly between sailboat designs, and some chainplate components may be concealed behind cabinetry, liners or other structures.

Running Rigging Inspection

Running rigging controls sails and sail-handling equipment.

Depending upon accessibility and requested scope, the surveyor may inspect:

• Halyards

• Sheets

• Control lines

• Reefing lines

• Travelers

• Blocks

• Cleats

• Clutches

• Winches

• Furling equipment

• Other accessible sail-control systems

Observable wear, chafing, deterioration or damaged hardware may be documented in the final report.

Mast & Boom Inspection

The mast and boom form the primary spar structure of the sailing rig.

Accessible areas may be examined for observable conditions involving:

• Corrosion

• Cracking

• Deformation

• Fasteners

• Gooseneck fittings

• Mast step

• Mast partners

• Boom fittings

• Hardware attachment

• Electrical wiring

• Navigation lights

• Other accessible components

Upper mast components may require the mast to be unstepped or otherwise made safely accessible.

Sail Condition Evaluation

Great River Marine Surveying can also evaluate the observable condition of sails when they are available and accessible for inspection.

Depending upon the assignment, observations may involve:

• Mainsails

• Headsails

• Genoas

• Jibs

• Other sail inventory

• Sailcloth condition

• Seams

• Stitching

• Reinforcement areas

• Attachment points

• Hardware

• Visible repairs

• General deterioration

Sails that are stored, bagged or otherwise inaccessible may require additional arrangements for examination.

Your company's published rigging service specifically includes evaluation of both rigging systems and sail inventory.

Insurance Sailboat Surveys

Sailboat owners may require a marine survey when:

• Obtaining new insurance coverage

• Renewing an existing policy

• Changing insurance companies

• Moving the vessel to a new marina

• Financing or refinancing the vessel

• Documenting condition and value

• Meeting insurer requirements for an aging vessel

Our insurance and Condition & Value surveys document the vessel's observed condition, equipment and estimated value as applicable to the assignment.

Some insurers may also request additional information regarding rigging age or condition on older sailing vessels.

Sailboat Condition & Value Surveys

A Condition & Value survey can provide documentation regarding the sailboat's observed condition and estimated market value.

Depending upon the requested scope, the inspection may include:

• Vessel identification

• Hull and deck

• Rigging

• Machinery

• Electrical equipment

• Fuel systems

• Plumbing

• Safety equipment

• Navigation equipment

• Interior

• Installed equipment

• General condition

• Valuation considerations

Condition & Value surveys may be used for insurance, financing, ownership documentation or other purposes.

Sailboat Appraisals

Great River Marine Surveying can provide professional valuation services for sailing vessels.

A sailboat appraisal may be requested for:

• Insurance

• Financing

• Probate

• Estate planning

• Divorce

• Legal proceedings

• Vessel donation

• Partnership matters

• Purchase or sale

• Fair market value determination

Factors affecting sailboat value may include:

• Make and model

• Age

• Hull condition

• Deck condition

• Rigging

• Sail inventory

• Auxiliary engine

• Electronics

• Interior condition

• Maintenance history

• Upgrades

• Comparable vessels

• Current market conditions

Sailboat Damage Surveys

Sailing vessels may sustain damage from:

• Groundings

• Collisions

• Allisions

• Storms

• Dismastings

• Rigging failures

• Dock impacts

• Keel strikes

• Rudder impacts

• Machinery incidents

• Transportation

• Other marine casualties

A sailboat damage survey can provide independent documentation of observable conditions following an incident.

Depending upon the casualty, affected components may include the hull, keel, rudder, mast, boom, standing rigging, running rigging, chainplates, sails or other vessel systems.

Hull & Structural Inspection

The hull and structural components of a sailboat form the foundation of the vessel.

Depending upon accessibility and construction, the survey may examine observable portions of:

• Hull

• Deck

• Bulkheads

• Stringers

• Structural supports

• Cabin structure

• Keel attachment areas

• Rudder

• Transom

• Mast step

• Chainplate attachment areas

Observable conditions such as cracking, moisture intrusion, deterioration, previous repairs or impact damage may be documented.

Keel Inspection

The keel is a particularly important component during a comprehensive sailboat survey.

When accessible, observations may involve:

• Keel condition

• Keel-to-hull joint

• Evidence of grounding

• Cracking

• Fairing condition

• Corrosion where applicable

• Keel bolts where accessible

• Structural attachment areas

An out-of-water inspection generally provides substantially better access to the keel and underwater hull.

Rudder & Steering Inspection

The survey may also examine accessible portions of the:

• Rudder

• Rudder stock

• Bearings

• Steering cables

• Quadrants

• Pedestal

• Wheel

• Tiller

• Autopilot components

• Other steering equipment

An out-of-water inspection may be important where grounding, rudder damage or underwater impact is suspected.

Auxiliary Engine & Machinery

Most cruising sailboats are equipped with an auxiliary propulsion engine.

Depending upon accessibility and survey scope, observations may include:

• Engine

• Engine mounts

• Cooling system

• Exhaust

• Fuel system

• Transmission

• Shaft

• Propeller

• Charging system

• Batteries

• Controls

• Instrumentation

Additional engine testing may be available depending upon engine type and requested services.

Electrical Systems

Sailboats can contain increasingly complex AC and DC electrical systems.

Depending upon accessibility, the surveyor may review observable portions of:

• Batteries

• Battery switches

• DC electrical panels

• AC electrical panels

• Circuit protection

• Shore-power systems

• Battery chargers

• Inverters

• Alternators

• Wiring

• Navigation lights

• Bilge pumps

• Electronics

• Other installed electrical equipment

Observable deficiencies can be documented in the completed survey report.

Navigation & Electronics

Modern sailing vessels may carry extensive navigation and communication equipment.

Installed systems may include:

• GPS

• Chartplotters

• Radar

• AIS

• VHF radios

• Autopilots

• Depth sounders

• Wind instruments

• Speed instruments

• Multifunction displays

Operational observations may be made where practical and included within the agreed survey scope.

Out-of-Water Sailboat Surveys

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

Hauling the sailboat provides access to areas such as:

• Underwater hull

• Keel

• Keel-to-hull joint

• Rudder

• Propeller

• Shaft

• Strut where applicable

• Saildrive or outdrive where equipped

• Through-hulls

• Transducers

• Anodes

• Underwater damage

The marina or boatyard normally performs the haul-out while the marine surveyor conducts the inspection.

Sailboat Sea Trials

A sea trial can provide additional information regarding vessel operation.

Depending upon scope and conditions, observations may include:

• Auxiliary engine performance

• Steering

• Controls

• Instrumentation

• Vibration

• Operating temperatures

• Navigation electronics

• Autopilot

• Sail-handling equipment when conditions permit

• General vessel operation

The ability to operate sails during a sea trial depends upon weather, vessel setup, crew availability and the agreed inspection scope.

Chicago & Lake Michigan Sailing Market

Chicago has a substantial concentration of sailing vessels located along the city's Lake Michigan waterfront.

Great River Marine Surveying provides sailboat inspection services for vessels located throughout the Chicago harbor system and surrounding Lake Michigan communities.

Assignments may be coordinated at or near:

• Burnham Harbor

• Belmont Harbor

• Montrose Harbor

• DuSable Harbor

• Monroe Harbor

• 31st Street Harbor

• Diversey Harbor

• Jackson Park Harbor

• Wilmette Harbor

• North Shore Lake Michigan

• Other regional marinas and boatyards

Your existing Chicago marine-surveyor page specifically identifies Burnham, Montrose, DuSable and Belmont among the harbors your Chicago operation serves.

North Shore Sailboat Surveys

Our sailboat surveying coverage can extend north from Chicago to established Lake Michigan sailing communities.

Depending upon scheduling and vessel location, coverage may include:

• Evanston

• Wilmette

• Winnetka

• Glencoe

• Highland Park

• Lake Forest

• Waukegan

• Winthrop Harbor

This complements your existing Chicago and dedicated North Shore location coverage without requiring separate keyword pages for every individual type of sailboat survey.

Great Lakes Sailboat Considerations

Sailboats operated on Lake Michigan experience conditions that differ from vessels in year-round warm-water markets.

Important considerations may include:

• Seasonal use

• Winter lay-up

• Freeze protection

• Mast stepping and unstepping

• Seasonal rigging setup

• Moisture intrusion

• Corrosion

• Aging rigging

• Deck hardware leakage

• Keel and rudder condition

• Machinery winterization

• Battery storage

• Deferred maintenance

Winter storage can also provide excellent access for certain hull, keel, rudder and rigging inspections.

Surveys While the Mast Is Unstepped

One of the best opportunities to inspect normally inaccessible upper rigging can occur when the mast has been removed for winter storage or maintenance.

With the mast unstepped and safely accessible, additional components may become available for visual examination, including:

• Spreaders

• Upper terminals

• Masthead fittings

• Tangs

• Stay attachment points

• Mast wiring

• Navigation-light fixtures

• Other upper-rig components

Your company's published rigging scope specifically notes that spreaders, tangs and upper rigging can be evaluated when the mast is unstepped or otherwise made accessible.

Rigging Surveys for Insurance

Owners of older sailboats may occasionally be asked by an insurance company to provide information regarding the age or observed condition of standing rigging.

A focused rigging survey can document accessible rigging components at the time of inspection.

Great River Marine Surveying's published rigging service identifies insurance underwriting and renewal as one of the common reasons clients request rigging inspections.

Rigging Surveys for Pre-Purchase Buyers

A buyer considering an older sailboat may wish to supplement a comprehensive pre-purchase marine survey with a more focused evaluation of the vessel's rigging and sails.

This can be particularly valuable when:

• Rigging age is unknown

• Replacement history is unavailable

• Corrosion is visible

• The vessel has been stored for an extended period

• The boat has experienced a previous rigging failure

• Significant offshore or heavy-weather use is planned

• The sail inventory represents substantial replacement cost

The inspection can help the buyer better understand observable rigging and sail condition before closing.

Professional Sailboat Survey Reports

Following the inspection, Great River Marine Surveying prepares a professional written marine survey report.

Depending upon the assignment, the report may include:

• Vessel identification

• Vessel specifications

• Photographic documentation

• Hull observations

• Structural observations

• Deck observations

• Rigging findings

• Sail observations

• Machinery observations

• Electrical observations

• Safety-equipment findings

• Observed deficiencies

• Recommendations

• Valuation information when applicable

Focused rigging and sail surveys can also be documented separately according to the requested scope.

Schedule a Sailboat or Rigging Survey in Chicago

If you need a sailboat surveyor or rigging surveyor in Chicago, Illinois, contact Great River Marine Surveying to discuss your vessel, its location and the type of inspection required.

We provide pre-purchase sailboat surveys, insurance surveys, Condition & Value surveys, standing and running rigging inspections, sail condition evaluations, sailboat appraisals, damage surveys, haul-out inspections and sea trials throughout Chicago and the Lake Michigan region.

Great River Marine Surveying currently lists its dedicated rigging and sail survey service starting at $14 per foot, with final pricing dependent upon vessel length, location and requested scope.

Request a sailboat or rigging survey today.

Great River Marine Surveying Company

Phone: 1-877-921-2628

Email: surveyor@GreatRiverMarine.com