A free Word template for an out of water boat survey report: the hull below the waterline, moisture readings, running gear and through-hulls, with example wording and example findings graded A, B and C.
Download the Word template.DOCXAn out of water survey report records the condition of a boat's hull below the waterline while it is hauled out: the laminate, keel, rudder, running gear, through-hulls and anodes. Insurers often ask for a current one on older boats, and owners use it to decide what to fix while the boat is still ashore.
This template covers the underwater part of the boat only. Download it in Word, or read on for what goes in each section.
The boat, the client and the haul-out. Insurers that ask for a current out of water survey check the date against the policy, so put the haul-out date where it can't be missed.
Inspected ashore at the yard's hard standing on 18 October 2026, the day after haul-out by travel hoist. Bavaria Cruiser 37, HIN DE-BAVC37A7J516, fin keel, spade rudder, saildrive.
What an out of water survey covers and how you inspected it. It is a survey of the hull below the waterline and what passes through it, so say clearly that the rest of the boat wasn't surveyed.
This survey is limited to the hull below the waterline, the keel, rudder, running gear, through-hulls and anodes. The hull had been pressure washed. The areas under the four cradle pads and the bottom of the keel on its blocks were not inspected.
Every recommendation once, grouped by grade, so the owner can book the work while the boat is still ashore. Work below the waterline is cheapest done now.
A1. Replace the saildrive diaphragm seal, which is past the manufacturer's 7-year replacement interval, before relaunch (finding 3.4).
The findings, area by area. Work around the boat in a fixed order, such as bow to stern on the port side and back on starboard, so nothing is missed and the reader can follow you.
The readings behind your view of the laminate. Name the meter and its scale, say whether the hull was dry enough for the readings to mean anything, and compare them with a dry reference area.
Tramex Skipper Plus, scale 1, 20 hours after haul-out. Topsides 8 to 10. Underwater hull 12 to 18, rising to 28 over the aft third either side of the keel. No hollow areas on sounding.
A short statement on the condition below the waterline and whether the boat is fit to relaunch once the A items are done.
The hull below the waterline is in fair condition for her age, with early osmotic blistering over the aft third. Subject to the saildrive seal and the anodes being replaced, the vessel may be relaunched.
Your statement, name, accreditation and signature, with the date of inspection. Insurers often accept the report for a set period from this date.
Each finding says what the system is, where it is, what was found and what should be done, with a grade for how urgent it is. These are written the way Axsail writes them from what the surveyor says on board.
Builder's records show the seal was fitted in 2017. The manufacturer's replacement interval is 7 years.
Recommendation: Replace the diaphragm seal before relaunch.
Seacock body shows pink dezincification on the outside. The handle turns stiffly.
Recommendation: Replace the seacock and its through-hull with bronze or composite fittings before relaunch.
Blisters of 3 to 8 mm across, about 20 per square metre. Moisture readings 22 to 28 on scale 1, against 12 to 18 forward.
Recommendation: Open a sample of blisters to check for fluid and laminate damage, and monitor at each haul-out. Consider a treatment if they spread.
Both anodes more than half wasted.
Recommendation: Replace both anodes before relaunch.
Hairline crack in the fairing along the joint over 200 mm. No movement when the keel was rocked by hand and no rust staining.
Recommendation: Rake out and refill the joint. Check the keel bolts from inside at the next survey.
Antifouling worn through to the primer on the leading edge of the keel and rudder.
Recommendation: Antifoul before relaunch.
Moisture readings taken an hour after haul-out mostly measure surface water. Note how long the boat had been out of the water and, where you can, take readings after at least a few hours of drying. Compare them with a reference area that should be dry, such as the topsides, and report the scale you used. A reading of 25 means little without the meter, the scale and the reference.
The owner has paid for the haul-out already. Every item you grade for the next haul-out costs them another lift, wash and blocking. Where a B item is cheap to do while the boat is ashore, such as an anode or a cutless bearing, say so in the recommendation.
For the full list of what to check below the waterline, see our yacht survey checklist. For how insurers use out of water surveys, see the boat insurance survey guide.
An inspection of a boat's hull below the waterline while it is hauled out, covering the laminate, keel, rudder, running gear, through-hulls and anodes. Insurers in many markets ask for a current one for older boats or at renewal, and owners use it to plan work while the boat is ashore.
A survey of the boat out of the water within a period the insurer sets, often the last two to five years depending on the insurer and the age of the boat. Ask the insurer for its period and put the inspection date clearly in the report.
For a boat of 10 to 12 metres, usually two to three hours ashore, plus the time for the yard to haul, wash and block the boat. Moisture readings mean more after the hull has dried for at least a few hours.
Yes. Download it, add your logo and terms, and use it for your own surveys. No sign-up.
Dictate as you inspect. Axsail builds the findings and the report for your signature
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