PRICING & SCOPE
Marine survey pricing in Florida depends on the vessel and the scope of the inspection. The factors below explain what drives a quote up or down. For a written estimate on your specific boat, request a quote with the make, model, length, year, location, and survey type.
Florida marine survey pricing is driven by vessel length, vessel type, onboard systems, scope of work, and access. Request a quote with the boat details for an accurate number.
There is no single average. Pricing scales with length, complexity, and survey type. The most accurate number for your vessel comes from a written quote.
Most surveyors quote a per-foot baseline that scales with vessel length, then adjust for vessel type, systems, scope, and access. Per-foot rates are a starting point, not a final price.
Vessel length, vessel type, engine count and type, onboard systems (generator, AC, watermaker, hydraulics, electronics), survey scope, haul-out and sea trial requirements, specialty testing, vessel access, and travel.
Per-foot pricing correlates with time on the boat. Longer vessels have more hull, more thru-hulls, more systems, and more equipment to evaluate.
Yacht surveys cost more per foot than smaller boats because yachts carry more systems and more documentation per foot. See the yacht survey service page.
Sailboat surveys cover hull, mechanical, electrical, and safety scope plus rig, sails, and standing and running rigging. Length and rig complexity drive the price.
Catamarans typically cost more than monohulls of the same length because there are two hulls, often two engine and fuel systems, and additional structure (bridgedeck, crossbeams, hull-to-deck joints) to inspect.
Outboard center consoles, bay boats, and bowriders generally cost less to survey than larger inboard vessels because they carry fewer onboard systems.
Trawlers and motor yachts vary widely. Single-engine cruising trawlers are simpler than twin-diesel motor yachts with generators, watermakers, and full electrical and electronics packages.
Pre-purchase surveys are the most comprehensive scope (hull, mechanical, electrical, safety, valuation), so they typically carry the highest fee for a given vessel. See the pre-purchase survey service page.
Insurance condition-and-value surveys are scoped to the underwriter’s requirements (current condition, fair market and replacement values, ABYC and safety compliance summary). See the insurance survey service page.
Damage surveys are scoped to the incident and the repair work in question, so the fee depends on the extent of damage and the documentation required. See the damage survey service page.
Appraisal pricing depends on whether a physical inspection is required and on the use of the report (sale, financing, donation, estate, legal). See the appraisal survey service page.
No. Haul-out, pressure wash, short-haul yard fees, and sea trial captain fees are billed by separate businesses (the boatyard and the captain) and are never part of the surveyor’s fee. Confirm both before booking.
A marine survey evaluates engine installation, integration, and operation. Internal mechanical teardowns, compression testing, and full ECU diagnostics are typically a separate marine mechanic engagement and are billed separately.
Specialty testing (moisture mapping, thermal imaging, ultrasonic thickness, corrosion testing, oil analysis) is generally an add-on. Some are included in scope, others are quoted separately.
Surveys within the primary South Florida service area are quoted at standard rates. Vessels outside that area, or in remote or restricted-access yards, may carry a travel component.
Standard pricing applies across South Florida (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Martin Counties). Send the vessel details and location for a written quote. Service area: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, and all South Florida service areas.
A marine survey is a multi-hour evaluation of hull, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, safety, electronics, and (where applicable) rig. Over half the surveyor’s work is hidden from the client: vessel staging and preparation before the inspection, and detailed report writing afterward. High-quality surveyors also carry significant operational costs (professional certifications, institutional memberships, continuing education, insurance), all of which factor into the fee.
A pre-purchase survey is typically a small fraction of the purchase price and routinely identifies hidden defects, deferred maintenance, or compliance issues that can cost $20,000 or more to remediate. The survey is a low-cost investment with significant ROI potential. Most buyers and lenders consider it standard due diligence.
For a deeper look at what a survey actually catches: how seacocks fail and why surveyors flag them, exhaust system dangers, and more resource articles.
Send the vessel make, model, year, length, hull type, engine package, major onboard systems, location, survey type, and whether you need a haul-out and sea trial. Request a quote.
The most accurate number for your vessel is a written quote tied to its specifics. Get a quote.
