Sportfishing Yacht Pre-Purchase Survey
Hull and engines evaluated by one surveyor — Jacksonville to Daytona Beach
Sportfishing boats are built to be run hard, and most of them are. Long offshore days, high engine hours and saltwater exposure take a toll that a fresh wax job won't show you.
Captain Don Samson provides independent pre-purchase surveys for sportfish buyers along Florida's northeast coast. A Master Marine Mechanic before he became a surveyor, he evaluates both the hull and the machinery — so you don't need to hire a separate engine surveyor to find out what the diesels have been through.
50+ years in the marine industry
Master Marine Mechanic background
ABYC, NFPA and USCG standards
Detailed written report with photographs
Works for the buyer, not the broker or seller
Call Captain Don at 904-640-1506
What Captain Don Looks For
Every survey is adjusted to the boat's builder, age and equipment. On a sportfish, the inspection focuses on the areas that fail most often:
Engines and generators — service history against hours, cooling and exhaust systems, leaks, mounts and performance under load
Hull, deck and cockpit structure, including cored areas around towers, outriggers and hardware
Running gear, shafts, struts, rudders and through-hulls during haul-out
Fuel, electrical, steering, plumbing and bilge systems
Livewells, mezzanine systems, fighting chair and rod holder mounts
Electronics, safety equipment and documentation
Previous repairs, modifications and deferred maintenance
The survey includes a haul-out and sea trial. Underway, engine temperatures and pressures, steering, controls, gauges and vibration are all observed under real operating conditions.
Your Written Report
You receive a detailed report with photographs, findings and recommended actions — the documentation you need to negotiate with the seller, satisfy your lender and insurer, and plan for what's coming. Captain Don reviews the findings with you by phone afterward, whether or not you attended the survey.
Service Area
Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach. Surveys are performed at marinas, boatyards and private docks throughout the region. Out-of-state buyers are welcome; attendance is not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
$30 per foot, with an $800 minimum. Haul-out fees are paid separately to the boatyard. Call with the vessel details for an exact quote.
-
Captain Don's mechanical background allows him to evaluate the engines and generators as part of the survey, including under load during the sea trial. If the engine history raises concerns, he may recommend additional diagnostics or fluid analysis.
-
Call as soon as your offer is accepted. Captain Don works around contingency deadlines and typically delivers the written report within a few days of the inspection.
-
Yes. The bottom and running gear cannot be properly evaluated in the water.
-
Before you close on a sportfishing boat anywhere between Jacksonville and New Smyrna Beach, talk to Captain Don.
One surveyor. Hull and engines. Five decades of hands-on experience.