Dockside Marine Surveyors performs pre-purchase and insurance surveys on boats and yachts in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County. Owner Evan McLean is a SAMS Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS®) in Yachts & Small Craft and is ABYC certified. Every survey includes an in-water and haul-out inspection and a sea trial, followed by a written report typically within 24 hours.
- SAMS Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS®)
- ABYC Certified
- Chapman School of Seamanship
- Report typically within 24 hours
Boating in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County and is known as the “Venice of America,” with 165 miles of inland waterways inside city limits. The New River runs through downtown and is a main route for boats. Port Everglades, owned by Broward County, gives deep-water access to the Atlantic.
Broward County had more than 47,000 registered vessels in 2021, and the city hosts the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which bills itself as the largest in-water boat show in the world. With that many boats changing hands, a survey is how a buyer learns what a particular boat is.
What a Dockside survey covers
- Wetted surfaces, topsides and internal structural members
- Deck and superstructure
- Machinery spaces and fuel systems
- Bilges and through-hulls
- Electrical systems
- Safety requirements and gear
- Navigation equipment, amenities and comfort
- A sea trial under way
Dockside surveys the hull and every system aboard except the engines. For a pre-purchase survey, Evan recommends a separate engine survey by a certified engine surveyor.
Surveys for buyers, owners and insurers
A pre-purchase survey tells a buyer the condition of the boat before the sale closes, so the offer reflects what the boat is. An insurance survey documents the boat’s condition for an underwriter, and many insurers will not cover a used boat of a certain age, length or value without one.
When a client hires Dockside, Evan works for that client alone. Findings are not shared with the seller, the broker or anyone else.
The surveyor
Evan McLean is a Florida native who has owned and navigated boats throughout Florida and the Bahamas. He holds a BS from the College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University and graduated in the top 5% of his marine survey course at the Chapman School of Seamanship. He mentored with American Yacht Surveyors for two years before becoming ABYC certified and earning the SAMS AMS® designation. Dockside has surveyed sportfish and motor yachts up to 90 feet, including Viking, Lazzara, Ocean Alexander, Hatteras and Bertram.
Fort Lauderdale boat survey FAQ
Do you travel to Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Dockside is based on the Treasure Coast and travels to the boat anywhere in Florida, at a marina, a private dock or a boatyard for the haul-out.
How long does a yacht survey take?
A standard survey takes a few hours to a full day, depending on the boat’s size and systems. The sea trial adds 30 minutes to an hour.
Can you survey a boat I am looking at during the boat show?
Call 561-789-8765 to schedule. The survey itself, with the haul-out and sea trial, is arranged with the seller after the boat is under contract.
What does a survey cost?
The fee depends on the vessel’s length and type and the purpose of the survey. Send the vessel’s location, type and length through the quote form, or call 561-789-8765.
Will the seller see my report?
No. The report goes to the client who hired Dockside.
Schedule a survey in Fort Lauderdale
Call 561-789-8765, email info@docksidemarinesurveyors.com, or request a quote online. Payment by credit card (4% fee), check, wire transfer or Zelle.