Much of a motor yacht's value, and of any motorboat or power boat, sits in the engine room. The survey reads the engines under load, the systems running, and both against their records.
1. What Is Checked on a Motor Yacht
Main engines under load
Stepped load: temperatures, pressures, smoke and rpm; the difference between twin engines. Compression/blowby tests, if needed, with an independent engine technician. More: engine survey.
Shaft line and propellers
Alignment, shaft bearings, seals, propeller damage; vibration recorded under way.
Generator and electrics
Generator under load; AC/DC panels, leakage current, thermal imaging for hot connections. More: electrical survey.
Fuel and exhaust
Fuel hoses, filters, tank connections; exhaust run and waterlock.
Bottom and slamming signs
On planing boats, the bottom shell and stringer bonds; signs of hard slamming.
Flybridge and hydraulics
Flybridge attachment, trim tabs, passerelle and platform hydraulics.
2. How the Survey Runs
- Ashore: hull moisture (at least a week out of the water), sounding, seacocks, rudder, drive.
- On deck and below: structure, watertightness, electrics, gas, safety equipment.
- At sea: engines, steering and systems under load.
- Report: 70+ pages with readings and photos, A-B-C priorities; 2-3 working days.
3. Notes by Make
Separate guides for Azimut, Ferretti, Princess and Sunseeker: Azimut, Ferretti, Princess, Sunseeker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scope: The survey is non-destructive and nothing is dismantled; details on the survey types page.
Findings we often see on site
- Corroded exhaust elbow: Salt crystals and rust on the outside of the mixing elbow; high elbow temperature on sea trial.
- Collapsed engine mounts: Mount rubbers oil-soaked and cracked; the engine sits low on one side.
- Propeller cavitation and blade tip damage: Nicks and bends at the blade tips, spongy erosion on the blade face.
Continue with this topic
- Fresh water and watermaker: Tank, heater and membrane checks.
- Repower: The systems a repower touches.
- Air conditioning and heating: Seawater circuit and fuel-fired heater.
- Stabilisers: Surveying and retrofitting.
- Fast boat survey: Bottom, transom and drives.
- Trawler survey: What to check on a long-range boat.
Related Pages
Send make, model, year, engines and marina; we reply with an itemised written quote.
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