“Reliability is designed in… Quality is built in”,
and a good professional Marine Surveyor makes sure it is!

NOTE: If you’re shopping for the least expensive surveyor- I’m probably not it.
Not all Marine Surveys are alike. Nor are all Marine Surveyors. You pay for quality and quality pays you back. If you are shopping for the lowest cost surveyor to inspect this complex machine that you are placing you, your friend’s, your families lives in the hands of, then you are making a costly and possible dangerous mistake. My experience, my training, my dedication, my education, and professionalism add up to what my product is worth. Now after all that, read on, and you’ll find I charge less than the yard that paints the bottom of your boat!

2026 Season Available Services and Costs 

Pre-purchase Survey (Includes Sea Trial) *Currently not offered

• All sizes brokered power vessels: Costs will be quoted based on the age/size/complexity/condition of the boat and hourly rate- minimum of 6 hours. 
• Note: We do not perform private sale surveys. You are strongly advised to hire a “Buyer’s Broker” as if you were buying Real Estate.  
• Sailboats: Costs will be quoted based on the age/size/complexity/condition of the boat and hourly rate- minimum 7 hours.
• Multi-hulls are usually more time consuming.
• Large, complex yachts (>60′) are surveyed at the hourly rate for the time necessary to complete on the on-board survey and write the report.
• Small (<30′) boats: There is a 6 hour minimum charge for pre-purchase surveys.
• Pre-purchase surveys typically include a sea trial which is included in the price quote.
• Diesel, Gasoline, Inboard and Outboard systems inspections by certified techs in house are available and additional.
• Use the Cost Estimator button for a direct personal quote.

2026 hourly rate= $150.00

Condition and Valuation (Insurance Survey) We are temporarily not performing C&V surveys

Valuation (only) Sorry, no longer performed.

Consultation, Electrical, Damage and Claims surveys, pre-commissioning surveys, return surveys, penetrant dye testing, sea trials, galvanic/stray current testing, electrical systems (testing, design, consultation), and/or bonding system analysis billed per hour, ($300 minimum). (Travel expenses apply for the round trip from my office).

“Drive-by” inspections are for far distant customers interested in a local listing. I will do a cursory inspection of the vessel, take photographs, then produce a bulleted list summarizing my findings. The photos will be posted via cloud and the link will be given. This will be billed as 3 hours and mileage round-trip is charged. NOTE: 2 hours of this charge is credited towards a pre-purchase survey if subsequently ordered. Currently not offered.

Open inspection of sails is additional and I will need assistance. (Cursory from deck level Inspection of rigging and a sail inventory/in-bag inspection is included at no additional cost).

Outboard/Inboard- gas or diesel engine surveys (beyond normal observations) includes engine startup, warm-up, lower unit or transmission operation and oil check: Included in a Pre Purchase Survey. (This is a cursory inspection). In depth analysis, especially late model engines, should be done by a factory trained technician-  and referrals are available from my company. Electronic Control Module (ECM) inboard and outboard downloads can be performed by Turnstone Marine Survey outboard professional technicians or dealerships with the appropriate software and billed as a separate service.

Oil Sample Analysis including engine start and warm-up or following the sea trial costs $100 for each sample- engine/transmissions. Boat owner or representative must be present to prepare and start engine(s). (Travel expenses apply if not part of vessel survey).

Travel expenses are not charged for Pre-purchase surveys if the job is within 50 miles of Interstate 95 between Mystic, CT and Portland, ME and the survey value >= $1000.00. MV and Nantucket Island surveys will be charged a minimum of $1000 plus air or ferry transportation costs, parking costs, and island taxi if necessary, but not travel time. Travel expenses will be negotiated before survey. For all other work, round trip mileage from my office to the job will be billed. For surveys in the Boston Metro area, I will advise hiring a SAMS surveyor more local to your project.

Electronically printed reports are emailed upon completion. Optional printed Pre-purchase Survey reports are in a handsome bound report cover using high definition color printing and utilizing both sides of high quality HP® Presentation Paper. $75 to cover printing and shipping costs.

Classic boats, boats older than 20 years, commercial or charter boats: I like to see the vessel first before committing. Costs to be agreed upon prior to survey or when on site.

Pre-commissioning survey. Get your boat ready for the season. Make sure your boat is shipshape before you launch. (See pricing for “Consultation” above). Also useful to long distance shoppers- Don’t waste your time or travel expenses! I will prepare a list of deficiencies and take current photos, then email and report findings by phone.

Turnstone Marine Survey reserves the right to assess additional hourly rate surcharges if the survey process is slowed by circumstances beyond the control of the surveyor. Such as a vessel not properly prepared for survey as per instructions, third party contractors not hired by TMS, vessel equipment located elsewhere, a vessel in poor condition, etc.

Customers will receive an invoice for services rendered at or before the survey. Payment in full must be received before the report is released. You may pay by check, cash, or Master Card, AMEX, Discover, and Visa via the PayPal system linked to via my webpage or Venmo.