Condition Reporting
Get the Right Eyes on It. Then Understand What They Found.
A survey report is only useful if you know what it means. Swan Marine connects you with experienced, independent surveyors and then translates their findings into plain language so you can make a smart decision and negotiate from a position of knowledge.
A marine survey is one of the smartest things you can do before buying a boat. The problem is that most survey reports land in your inbox as a dense list of technical findings with no guidance on what actually matters. Is this a deal-breaker or a minor inconvenience? Is it going to cost $500 to fix or $50,000? Should you walk away, renegotiate, or simply note it and move on?
Swan Marine isn't your surveyor, and we don't try to be. But once the report comes back, we sit down with you and go through it in plain language. We tell you what the findings actually mean in practical terms, which ones are serious and which ones aren't, and how to use the information intelligently — whether that's to negotiate a price reduction, request pre-sale repairs, build in specific exclusions, or on occasion, walk away entirely.
Step 1: We connect you with the right surveyor.
Swan Marine maintains a network of experienced recreational marine surveyors across Western Australia. We'll match you with the right surveyor for your vessel type and location and make the introduction. From there, the engagement is entirely between you and the surveyor; your report belongs to you and no one else.
Enquire about this service →Step 2: The surveyor does their job independently.
The survey is conducted without Swan Marine's involvement. That independence matters; your surveyor works for you, not for the sale, and their findings are entirely objective.
Enquire about this service →Step 3: We translate the report into real terms.
Once you have the report, we go through it with you. We explain what each finding means in practical terms, distinguish between issues that are genuinely limiting and those that are routine for a vessel of that age and type, and help you understand the likely cost and complexity of addressing each one.
Enquire about this service →Step 4: We help you use it intelligently.
Survey findings are negotiating currency. A well-understood report gives you options: negotiate a price reduction that reflects the cost of rectification, request that specific repairs are completed before settlement, build exclusions into the contract, or in the case of serious structural or mechanical issues, walk away with confidence that you've made the right call.
Enquire about this service →Issues worth walking away from.
Not all survey findings are equal. Swan Marine helps you understand the difference between three kinds of finding — starting with the serious ones.
Serious structural defects, significant osmosis, major mechanical failures, or safety non-compliance issues that are expensive, difficult to rectify, or indicative of deeper neglect. These are the findings that change the fundamentals of the purchase.
Enquire about this service →Issues worth negotiating on.
Legitimate defects and deferred maintenance that have a clear, costed rectification path. These findings are your leverage; a well-presented list of genuine issues, backed by a professional surveyor's report, is a reasonable basis for a price adjustment or a vendor repair request.
Enquire about this service →Issues worth noting and moving on.
Minor wear items, cosmetic defects, and age-appropriate conditions that are normal for a vessel of that type and vintage. These don't affect the vessel's value or your enjoyment of it; they're part of owning a used boat.
Knowing which category each finding falls into is the difference between making a confident, well-informed decision and being either scared off a good boat or talked into a bad one.
Enquire about this service →A Note on Independence
Swan Marine encourages all buyers to engage their own surveyor independently. We can make the introduction, but the relationship and the process are yours to manage. What we add is the experience to interpret what comes back and the market knowledge to understand how findings translate into price and negotiating position.
The purchase has to be right for you! We'd rather you walk away from a vessel that isn't right than buy something you'll regret and we'll give you the honest advice you need to make that call with confidence.
Enquire about this service →Every engagement begins with a conversation. No obligation — just clarity on how we can help you move forward.