Q: Should I have a professional look at a boat with me?
A: It never hurts to have someone familiar with boats, and especially the particular boat you are looking at, to inspect a boat your are considering buying. Does it need to be a professional? That depends on the size and complexity of the boat and how confident you are in being able to assess its condition. A marine surveyor will inspect any boat for a fee, but generally they are called in for boats that are in the 20-foot range and up. For large, complex boats a surveyor is a must. They have the expertise to find things that a buyer could not be expected to discover. A survey (the report the surveyor gives you) is very helpful when it comes time to insure your new boat. See our article on Boat Surveys and Surveyors.