Value of the Survey-Prep Guides
These survey-prep guides are built to save buyers time, money, and unnecessary travel.
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Each guide is model-specific and
focuses on the exact construction details, failure points, and inspection patterns that matter for that particular yacht. Instead of generic checklists or broker descriptions,
you get a structured, step-by-step reference that lets you evaluate a boat properly before committing to a surveyor, flights, haul-outs, or negotiations.
Every guide highlights the known structural hotspots, the areas surveyors look at first, and the red flags that change the value of the boat.
You also get the questions that should be asked directly to the owner, a tailored photo checklist, a sea-trial procedure, and a realistic negotiation framework based on actual condition—not guesses or seller optimism.
The goal is simple: help buyers make informed decisions, avoid expensive surprises, and approach each yacht with the same discipline a professional surveyor would use.
Whether you are shortlisting boats remotely or preparing for a full survey, these guides provide clarity at a fraction of the cost of a single inspection or travel day.
The Underwriting File Builder helps you avoid paying for the wrong survey.
New in 2025–2026: The Underwriting File Problem
Today, a “good boat” can still become a dead-end deal if the proof trail is missing. Insurers and marinas increasingly want clear evidence of critical systems (rigging age, through-hulls, gas, electrical) before coverage can bind.
While buyers still deal with an insurance company, the actual decision is made by the underwriter — the person or team assessing the risk behind the scenes.
Start with our
Insurance Readiness Pack (USD 9). It gives you the photo proof set, seller request emails, and the one-page surveyor brief that help you avoid expensive surprises before you book travel, haul-outs, or surveys.
What Our Clients Say
"Technically astute and refreshingly honest. This is the kind of analysis that helps people make better decisions."
— Jack
“The Amel 55 survey-prep guide from TrueNorth Yacht Advisors is one of the most cost-effective tools I’ve used in a major purchase. The photo checklist alone made the guide worthwhile, allowing me to evaluate listings properly before committing time or money. For USD 29, it delivered structured, model-specific insight that would normally take years of experience to acquire. It helped me approach sellers and surveys with confidence and discipline. I am now purchasing their higher-tier services and highly recommend TrueNorth Yacht Advisors to other buyers.”
— Dan Cooper
