BEFORE
THE DOCK.
USED-BOAT BUYING · FLORIDA KEYSSEND THE LISTING BEFORE YOU BUY

SAMPLE REVIEW

What a clearer picture looks like.

This fictional example shows the format. No boat has been inspected or evaluated here.

PRELIMINARY LISTING REVIEW

Example: a used center-console listing

Recommended next step

Get more information

The listing leaves important questions unanswered. Request engine records and clear photos before deciding whether to book an inspection.

What we noticed

  • The advertised engine hours are seller-provided and have not been verified.
  • The listing does not include a readable engine model or serial plate.
  • Photos do not show the bilge, transom interior, or trailer running gear.

What’s still missing

  • Dated service invoices and the latest diagnostic report.
  • Clear photos of the engine identification plate and hull identification number (HIN).
  • Confirmation of seller ownership and any outstanding loan.
  • Cold-start video and availability for a mechanic-led sea trial.

Your next steps

  • Send the seller the questions above.
  • Ask a qualified mechanic what tests are appropriate for this engine.
  • If the evidence supports proceeding, arrange a physical inspection and sea trial before committing.
Reviewed by Illustrative report

This review reflects the information provided. It does not verify condition or title and does not replace a physical survey, mechanical inspection, or sea trial.

Review my boat

About the review

Is a Before the Dock review the same as a marine survey?+

No. A Before the Dock review, done from the Florida Keys for local and remote buyers, looks only at the listing you send, not the boat itself. It comes before you decide whether a marine survey is worth booking at all.

What do I get back from a Before the Dock review?+

A written review from Captain Kit Carson in the Florida Keys, laying out what the listing tells you and what it does not, in the same format as the sample above.