If you're buying a floating home in Sausalito, a marine survey is not optional — it's the most important due diligence step you'll take. A marine survey is performed by a certified marine surveyor who evaluates the hull, bilge, mechanical systems, and structural condition of the floating platform. Unlike a land home inspection, the marine survey can uncover problems that are genuinely expensive to fix: a compromised hull, corroded through-hulls, or a failing bilge pump system aren't the kind of things you can address with a cosmetic renovation budget.
What a Marine Survey Covers
A thorough marine survey on a Sausalito floating home will evaluate several major systems and structural elements:
- Hull condition — the integrity of the floating platform, whether concrete, steel, or fiberglass, including any cracks, corrosion, osmotic blistering, or structural compromise
- Bilge system — the bilge pump, float switches, and overall water management below the living space
- Through-hulls and seacocks — any fittings that penetrate the hull for drainage or other purposes; these must be in good working order and accessible
- Electrical system — both the 120V/240V shore power system and any 12V DC systems; marine electrical standards are different from land home standards
- Plumbing — including freshwater, wastewater, and any connections to the marina's sewer system
- Dock connections — how the vessel is attached to the dock, the condition of dock lines and cleats, and the adequacy of the connection for the size of the vessel
Many surveyors will also evaluate the living structure above the hull — the framing, roof, windows, and interior systems — though this is sometimes done as a separate "dwelling inspection" by a licensed home inspector working alongside the marine surveyor.
Red Flags to Watch For
Hull cracks or delamination on concrete hulls are the most serious finding a survey can produce. Concrete hulls are generally durable and long-lasting when properly maintained, but cracks that allow water intrusion can accelerate deterioration and are expensive to repair properly. A surveyor who finds active cracks or evidence of past repair should give buyers pause — the question isn't just the cost of repair but whether the hull has been well cared for over its lifetime.
Corrosion on steel hulls is another serious finding. Steel requires consistent maintenance — painting, anode replacement, and inspection above and below the waterline — and a hull that has been neglected can develop compromised structural integrity that isn't always visible from inside the living space. A haul-out (lifting the vessel from the water for inspection) may be required for steel-hull homes with any question marks about condition.
Electrical systems that don't meet ABYC standards are common in older floating homes. The American Boat and Yacht Council standards for marine electrical systems are stricter than residential code in several important ways, particularly around grounding and the use of circuit protection. Non-compliant electrical work is both a safety concern and an insurance and financing issue.
Using Survey Results in Negotiation
The survey report gives buyers factual, documented leverage in negotiating price reductions or seller repairs. Paul and Roman use survey findings as an active part of the negotiation strategy in every floating home transaction. A finding that requires $20,000 in hull repair is a $20,000 price reduction conversation — not a reason to walk away, but a reason to negotiate.
The key is understanding which findings are material and which are normal wear for a vessel of that age. An experienced floating home agent — one who has been through dozens of these transactions — knows the difference. If you're working with an agent who has only sold land homes, they may not know how to interpret a marine survey or how to use it effectively.
Paul and Roman work with a short list of trusted marine surveyors in the Bay Area who they know produce thorough, reliable work. For a referral, call (415) 332-7539.