Boat Inspection Form
The boat pre-purchase checklist, ready to fill in at the boat. Pick the type, work through each section, and download the report when you are done.
Boat inspection form. A pre-purchase checklist written for boats: 77 to 86 points across 14 sections. Mark each item Pass, Attention or Fail, add notes and readings, then download the report.
At a glance
- Outboard, inboard, I/O
- Hull, gelcoat and moisture, stringers and transom, engine compression, lower unit oil, trailer.
- Downloads as a PDF report or a CSV
- Free, and nothing you type leaves your device
- HIN, engine serials and the trailer's title
- Hull and gelcoat, blisters, and moisture readings against a dry spot
- Transom flex and core, stringers and floors
- Outboard compression and lower unit oil; sterndrive bellows and gimbal; inboard risers and shaft
- Bilge pumps, fuel system, helm and safety gear
- A sea trial to rated rpm, and the trailer
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Boat and Inspection Details
Fill in what you know. Anything left blank prints as a dash on the report.
HIN and Paperwork0 / 8
- Hull ID (HIN) on the transom matches the title
- Engine serial numbers
- Title or state registration
- Trailer VIN and title
- Coast Guard documentation, if documented
- Service records
- Open recalls checked
- Lien check
Readings
Hull and Gelcoat0 / 9
- Stress cracks at the hull-deck joint, cleats and rails
- Blisters below the waterline
- Bottom gouges, keel and strakes
- Repairs, patches and color mismatch
- Rub rail and hull-deck joint
- Deck soft spots, walk and sound it
- Through-hull fittings and seacocks
- Transducers and trim tabs
- Bow eye
Readings
Fiberglass moisture meters read on a relative scale. Compare each reading with a known dry area above the waterline on the same boat.
Stringers and Transom0 / 7
- Transom flex: push and pull on the engine or drive
- Transom core soft or wet
- Cracks around engine mounts
- Stringers and floors, rot or delamination
- Engine mount bolts sealed
- Fuel tank, corrosion under foam
- Bilge: water or an oil sheen
Helm, Fuel and Electrical0 / 10
- Bilge pumps: automatic float and manual switch
- Batteries, switches and wiring
- Navigation lights
- Gauges
- Steering, cable or hydraulic
- Throttle and shift cables
- Fuel lines, primer bulb and anti-siphon valve
- No fuel smell
- Electronics: GPS, sonar, VHF
- Fresh water and head, if fitted
Outboard Powerhead0 / 9
- Cold start
- Water pump tell-tale stream
- Tilt and trim pump
- Corrosion, salt use
- Transom bracket and clamps
- Cowling and latches
- Fuel system
- Spark plugs
- Steering tube
Readings
Lower Unit0 / 7
- Gear oil drained: milky means water
- Metal on the drain plug magnet
- Prop shaft seals
- Propeller and prop shaft straight
- Skeg damage
- Anodes
- Shifts forward and reverse crisply
Sterndrive Bellows and Gimbal0 / 6
- U-joint, shift and exhaust bellows
- Gimbal bearing noise
- Transom assembly corrosion
- Drive alignment
- Trim cylinders
- Raw water impeller
Inboard Engine0 / 10
- Cold start
- Exhaust manifolds and risers: corrosion and water intrusion
- Heat exchanger or raw water cooling
- Oil level and condition, milky means water
- Flame arrestor
- Engine compartment blower runs (gasoline)
- Belts
- Engine mounts
- Raw water impeller
- Transmission or V-drive fluid
Readings
Shaft, Strut and Rudder0 / 4
- Prop shaft and strut, cutless bearing play
- Shaft seal or packing gland drip
- Rudder and rudder post
- Shaft log
Safety Gear0 / 7
- Life jackets for every seat
- Fire extinguishers charged
- Flares in date
- Horn or whistle
- Throwable device
- CO alarm in the cabin
- Engine cut-off lanyard
Upholstery, Canvas and Deck0 / 5
- Upholstery and vinyl
- Canvas, bimini and covers
- Carpet
- Hatches and latches
- Seat bases, rot
Boat Trailer0 / 8
- Frame rust, salt use
- Bunks or rollers
- Winch and strap
- Coupler and safety chains
- Wheel bearings
- Surge brakes
- Lights
- Trailer tires, age
Sea Trial0 / 9 passed
Readings
Tires and DOT DatesAge from the DOT code
These are the trailer tires. The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year it was made; boat trailer tires sit for months and age out first.
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left | – | |||
| Right | – | |||
| Left axle 2 | – | |||
| Right axle 2 | – | |||
| Spare | – |
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left | – | |||
| Right | – | |||
| Left axle 2 | – | |||
| Right axle 2 | – | |||
| Spare | – |
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left | – | |||
| Right | – | |||
| Left axle 2 | – | |||
| Right axle 2 | – | |||
| Spare | – |
Additional Comments
Inspector Sign-Off
Boat professionally inspected and reported by
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