Viking Pre-Purchase Marine Survey
Hull and engines evaluated by one surveyor — Jacksonville to Daytona Beach
Buying a used Viking is a serious investment, and the boat you see at the showing is the boat the seller wants you to see: fresh detailing, a clean engine room, a well-kept interior. What you need to know is what's happening underneath that.
Captain Don Samson provides independent pre-purchase surveys for Viking buyers along Florida's northeast coast. Before he was a marine surveyor, he spent decades as a Master Marine Mechanic diagnosing and repairing the same diesel engines and vessel systems he now inspects. On a Viking, that matters: most buyers are told to hire a hull surveyor and a separate engine surveyor. Captain Don evaluates both — the structure and the machinery — from a mechanic's point of view.
50+ years of marine experience
ABYC standards
Detailed reports with photographs
Independent evaluation for the buyer
Call Captain Don at 904-640-1506
Know What You Are Buying
Viking yachts are built for demanding offshore use. They are also complex vessels, with powerful diesel engines, generators, advanced electrical systems, navigation electronics and specialized fishing equipment.
A boat can look excellent during a showing and still have problems that are difficult to spot. Deferred engine maintenance, corrosion, electrical modifications, moisture intrusion and aging equipment can all lead to substantial expenses after the purchase.
A Viking pre-purchase survey gives you a clearer picture of the yacht’s present condition before you sign the final paperwork.
What the Survey Covers
Every survey is adjusted to the Viking’s model, age, equipment and condition. Captain Don examines the vessel’s accessible structure and major onboard systems, including:
Hull, deck and accessible structural components
Engines, generators and machinery spaces
Fuel, exhaust and cooling systems
AC and DC electrical systems
Steering and propulsion equipment
Navigation electronics and controls
Plumbing, sanitation and bilge systems
Cockpit and fishing equipment
Safety equipment and vessel documentation
Interior systems and visible signs of water intrusion
Previous repairs, modifications and maintenance concerns
Haul-Out and Sea Trial
A proper pre-purchase survey of a Viking should never stop at the dock.
During the haul-out, Captain Don inspects the bottom, through-hull fittings, propellers, shafts, struts, rudders and the rest of the accessible underwater gear. This is where impact damage, blistering and previous repairs tend to show up.
The sea trial shows how the boat performs under real operating conditions. Engine temperatures and pressures, steering response, controls, gauges, vibration and onboard systems are all observed while underway.
Haul-out and sea trial are arranged with the seller or broker and the boatyard; haul-out fees are billed separately by the yard. Captain Don can help coordinate scheduling.
Your Written Survey Report
After the inspection, you receive a detailed report with photographs, findings and recommended actions. It documents the yacht's observable condition and identifies deficiencies that may affect safety, operation, insurance or value.
Your report can help you:
Make an informed purchase decision
Negotiate repairs or price with the seller
Satisfy your lender and insurance company
Plan for upcoming maintenance
Request additional inspections where needed
Captain Don reviews the findings with you by phone after the report is delivered and is available to answer questions afterward.
Buying From Out of State?
Many of Captain Don's Viking surveys are for buyers who cannot be on the boat in person. You don't need to attend the survey. He will walk you through the major findings by phone, and the report with photographs gives you what you need to move forward with a remote closing.
Viking Yacht Surveys Along Florida's Northeast Coast
Samson Marine Surveying serves Viking buyers, owners, lenders and insurers throughout Northeast and Central East Florida:
Jacksonville
St. Augustine
Palm Coast
Flagler Beach
Ormond Beach
Daytona Beach
New Smyrna Beach
Surveys are performed at marinas, boatyards and private docks throughout the region. If the Viking is located outside this area, call to discuss availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pricing generally starts around $30 per foot. The final cost depends on the yacht's size, model, equipment, location and scope of inspection. Check this page for more about pricing or give us a call.
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Most buyers are working against a contingency deadline. Call as soon as your offer is accepted; Captain Don will do his best to fit the survey into your timeline, and the written report is typically delivered within a few days of the inspection.
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Captain Don's mechanical background allows him to evaluate the engines, generators and related systems as part of the survey, including observation under load during the sea trial. If the engine history or the sea trial raises concerns, he may recommend additional diagnostics or fluid analysis. If your lender, insurer or a manufacturer warranty transfer requires an inspection by an authorized dealer, he can advise you on that as well.
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Yes. The hull below the waterline and the running gear cannot be properly evaluated in the water. Haul-out fees are paid to the boatyard separately from the survey fee.
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Most surveys take several hours. A larger or more heavily equipped Viking, or one with a haul-out and sea trial the same day, may take a full day.
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You are welcome to, but it is not required. Captain Don will explain the major findings and answer your questions after the inspection.
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The report is prepared to the standards lenders and insurers expect from a pre-purchase survey and includes the photographs, findings and valuation information they typically require. If your lender or insurer has specific requirements, let Captain Don know before the survey.
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If you are considering a Viking in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach or New Smyrna Beach, talk to Captain Don before you close.