The due diligence that separates a sound purchase from an expensive mistake.
A yacht can look immaculate and still hide problems that cost more than the discount you negotiated. The difference between a sound purchase and an expensive mistake is almost always the quality of the due diligence.
A marine survey is not optional. An independent surveyor examines the hull and structure, the systems, the rig, and signs of trouble that an owner may not volunteer — moisture in the deck, osmosis in older hulls, corrosion, fatigue. On a yacht of any value, the cost of a survey is trivial against what it can save you.
Surveys tell you the condition. The sea trial tells you how she actually behaves. Watch how she sails and handles, how the engine performs under load, how the systems run in operation, and listen — unusual noise is often the first sign of something worth investigating.
On a sailing yacht, the rig deserves particular attention. Standing rigging has a working life — often considered to be around ten years — and replacement is a significant cost. The sail wardrobe, too, wears and is expensive to renew. Know the age of both before you agree a price; they are legitimate points of negotiation.
A well-documented maintenance and refit history is worth paying a premium for. Gaps in the record are the single most reliable warning sign — not because they prove neglect, but because they mean you cannot know.
You should not do this alone. A good buyer’s broker represents your interests and knows the market. An independent surveyor owes their judgement to you, not the seller. Together they are the difference between confidence and hope. Part of our role is making sure you are introduced to the right ones.
If you have a yacht in mind, we can help you think through the survey and the questions worth asking — and connect you with surveyors and brokers who will protect your interests.
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