Buying
Yacht survey day prep — buyer and seller coordination
How to prepare for pre-purchase survey day on a used cruiser — haul-out booking, seller documents, access, timing, and what buyers should bring before the surveyor arrives.
Introduction
Most pre-purchase surveys that go wrong fail on calendar and access, not on hidden osmosis. Yard slots fill in spring, sellers forget engine keys, and deposit clocks expire while everyone waits for a weather window. This guide is the coordination layer between your deposit contract and the surveyor's report — what to confirm one to two weeks before survey day on Baltic and North Sea cruisers.
Cross-read survey cost bands, what to expect in the survey, and model context on Hallberg-Rassy HR 36 or Najad 390.
Need structured paperwork review first? See pre-survey assessment and the survey service hub.
Timeline — two weeks to survey day
| When | Buyer action | Seller action |
|---|---|---|
| T-14 days | Confirm survey scope in writing (hull, rig, engine, moisture grid) | Confirm haul-out yard and date |
| T-10 days | Book travel if remote; share surveyor contact with seller | Gather service invoices, rig date, battery age |
| T-7 days | Verify deposit conditions still allow survey window | Charge batteries; clear lockers surveyor needs |
| T-3 days | Reconfirm yard haul-out time and blocking | Provide keys, tool list, known defects list |
| T-1 day | Weather check; confirm surveyor ETA with seller | Boat accessible; fuel for engine test if scoped |
Build slack for one weather delay — rescheduling a yard in May costs more than an extra hotel night.
Documents to request before haul-out
Ask the seller for a single PDF bundle (or shared folder):
- Registration and title — matches hull ID on Swedish registration guide if SE-flagged
- Last 3–5 years service — engine, saildrive, standing rigging
- Previous surveys — insurance or pre-purchase (even if old)
- VAT / import papers — see VAT status
- Known defects list — honest list speeds survey and negotiation
Missing rigging invoices on a Hallberg-Rassy 342 or Linjett 35 is not a deal-killer — but it shifts budget from "maybe" to "plan for replacement."
Haul-out and yard logistics
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lift time confirmed | Surveyors bill waiting time; yards charge standby |
| Blocking plan | Keel support for fin-keel vs long-keel differs |
| Power on the hard | Some yards cut shore power during lift — plan for engine test timing |
| Bottom cleaning policy | Know if yard prohibits buyer scrubbing before photos |
| Re-launch slot | Seller pays if survey is for their sale; clarify in writing |
For production cruisers like Bavaria 34 Cruiser or Beneteau Oceanis 37, saildrive access often needs extra blocking height — tell the yard before lift day.
Access and safety on board
Surveyors need:
- All cabin keys and engine bay access
- Batteries charged for engine start and instrument checks
- Removed clutter from bilges and chain lockers they must inspect
- Honest disclosure of frozen seacocks or stripped screws — surprises extend the day
Buyers should bring:
- Notebook, phone for photos (if surveyor allows), copy of agreed scope
- Sea trial checklist if trial follows survey
- Contact for advisory if findings may kill the deal
Do not pressure the surveyor to finish early — scope compression misses moisture grids and rig issues that matter on HR 37-class offshore boats.
After survey — first 48 hours
- Read the full report before reacting — reading a survey report
- Get one yard quote for safety-critical items only
- Model repair credits against your reserve — compare ownership cost calculator
- Re-survey only for agreed repairs — budget in survey cost guide
If findings are structural, cross-check model-specific risks on red flags in used yachts.
FAQ
Q: Should the seller attend survey day?
A: Often yes for access questions, but the surveyor works for you if you hired them. Avoid seller-surveyOR side conversations without you present.
Q: Can we survey afloat only to save haul-out cost?
A: Possible for insurance scope; pre-purchase on GRP cruisers over ~25 years usually needs hard-standing for keel and moisture — see survey cost FAQ.
Q: What if the yard cancels?
A: Trigger deposit extension clause immediately; do not let the survey window expire silently.
Q: Trial before or after survey?
A: Many buyers survey first, trial after critical safety items are understood — but calm-weather trials before haul-out are valid if scoped.
Next steps
Compare candidates on yacht models, use compare HR 36 vs Najad 390, or book buyer advisory for deal-specific timing.