What is a yacht survey and sea trial, and what do they cost?

At a glance

Two checks, two jobs

A sea trial shows the yacht working. A condition survey shows what state she is in. Both normally take place after you have signed the purchase agreement and paid the contractual deposit, but before final acceptance and completion. Your rights to reject, the deadlines and the costs depend on the signed agreement.

What a pre-purchase survey covers

Motor Boat & Yachting says a pre-purchase or condition survey should cover "just about everything". The surveyor uses non-destructive testing and photographs, and lists anything they could not reach. Common gaps include enclosed fuel tanks, specialist systems, and tenders and toys unless you ask for them. Many general surveyors do not survey engines, so a separate marine engineer is common, ideally one who knows the engine make. On complex engines, oil sampling and borescope checks are used.

On a yacht of 24 m or more, expect the survey team also to look at:

• the class society's records and any outstanding recommendations, if the yacht is classed;
• the flag and commercial certificates, if the yacht charters;
• maintenance logs, refit history and equipment manuals.

Under the 2021 MYBA sale contract, oil sampling can take place once the deposit has been received (Hill Dickinson).

What it costs

There is no published price list for surveying a superyacht. Surveyors quote case by case, on size, age, complexity and location, and a larger yacht usually means more days aboard, a team rather than one surveyor, separate engine and electrical specialists, and travel.

The published prices we found are for smaller boats, mainly in the United States: Boatzon (2026) puts hull and systems surveys for boats of that kind at about $25–$45 per foot. These figures do not scale to a superyacht and are not a minimum for one. Ask two or three surveyors for itemised quotes.

Sea trial costs are mainly fuel, crew time and any move to a yard. Who pays is set in the contract. Under the 2021 MYBA form, the contract specifies costs the seller may deduct if the buyer rejects the yacht (Hill Dickinson); read that clause before you book the trial.

How the timing works

If a deadline passes without a valid rejection, you may have to complete the purchase or lose the deposit (Stephenson Harwood). Book your surveyor and the yard slot before you sign, so the work fits inside the contract's dates.

Why it is worth it

SuperyachtNews (2016) reported an owner who bought a 29 m yacht without a full professional survey and estimated that the repairs it then needed cost him about $1.5 million.

What to ask your broker

1. What are the deadlines in this contract for the sea trial, the survey and any notice of defects, and when does each one start?
2. Is the surveyor experienced with this type and size of yacht and its hull material?
3. Will the surveyor cover engines and generators, or do I need a separate engineer?
4. How many days aboard, how many people, and what will the report cover?
5. Is there a yard slot for the haul-out inside the contract's dates?
6. What costs can the seller deduct from my deposit if I reject the yacht?

When this is not the right choice

• Skipping the survey on a used yacht is almost never sensible.
• Relying on an insurance survey instead. An insurance survey may be narrower than a purchase inspection; ask your surveyor what each covers.
• Relying on the yard's own trials for a new build. They do not replace an independent inspection before you accept delivery.

If you are getting ready to make an offer, one of our partner yacht sales brokers can help you plan the trial and survey around the contract's dates.

Questions people ask