New boat and yacht PDI, before delivery
A licensed marine surveyor checks your new boat before you accept it: hull and gelcoat, deck, seacocks and bilge pumps, engines, electrics and electronics, rigging and sails, safety gear and a sea trial.
New boats can arrive with gelcoat damage, poorly fitted through-hulls, wiring faults or missing safety gear. A licensed surveyor checks the boat at the dealer or yard and on a sea trial, so problems are fixed under the dealer's responsibility.
What can go wrong
- Gelcoat chips and damage from transport or launch
- Through-hulls and hoses not double-clamped
- Bilge pumps or float switches not working
- Electronics not set up or not working
- Safety gear in the deal missing
How it works
Book in two minutes
Tell us what to check, the address and the date. Confirm your email with a 6-digit code.
A verified expert visits
A mechanic, engineer, inspector or surveyor near you calls, then checks every item on the list with you.
You get the report
A clear verdict, every issue with photos and notes, and what to ask the seller to fix before you sign.
The full checklist: 38 checks
The expert marks each check as OK, Issue or N/A, with notes and photos. Checks marked with a label only apply to that type.
Papers and identity
- Hull number (HIN) matches the papers
- Registration or documentation and title
- Invoice, warranty and owner's manuals
Hull and deck
- Hull: cracks, gouges, repairsBest checked out of the water.
- Moisture meter readings on hull and deck
- Deck: soft spots or delaminationTap and press around fittings.
- Gelcoat or paint: crazing, fading, chips
- Keel and keel boltsSailboats
- Rudder, bearings and steering
- Transom: solid, no rot or flex
- Propellers, shafts and anodes
Through-hulls and bilge
- Seacocks open and close, hoses double-clamped
- Bilge pumps, float switches and alarm work
- Bilge is dry, no oil or fuel smell
- Fuel tanks and lines: no leaks or rust
- Fresh water, holding tank and heads work
Engines
- Engines start cold and idle smoothlyEngine
- No oil, fuel or coolant leaksEngine
- Raw water impeller and cooling flowEngine
- Exhaust elbows and risers: no corrosionEngine
- Outdrive or gearbox: no leaks, shifts cleanly
- Electric drive battery health and chargingElectric and hybrid
Electrical and electronics
- Batteries, switches and charger
- Shore power and inverter
- Wiring is tidy, no corrosion or burn marks
- Navigation lights
- Chartplotter, VHF radio, depth sounder, autopilot
Rigging and sails
- Mast and spreaders: no cracks or corrosionSailboats
- Standing rigging: wires, swages and chainplatesSailboats
- Sails: tears, UV damage, stitchingSailboats
- Winches, blocks and running riggingSailboats
Safety and sea trial
- Life jackets, throwable and life raft
- Fire extinguishers and engine room suppression
- Flares, horn and EPIRB in date
- CO and gas detectors work
- Anchor, chain and windlass
- Sea trial: top speed, no vibration, steers straight
- Trailer: tyres, lights, rollers and brakes, if included
Questions
Who does a boat PDI?
Only licensed or accredited marine surveyors.
Is a sea trial included?
Yes, when the dealer allows it.
Check it before you sign for it
Available in India and the USA. We confirm the fee with you before the visit.
Book a boat or yacht check