Westmar Surveys - Perito de yates independiente en Mallorca

Westmar Surveys is an independent yacht surveyor based in Palma de Mallorca that inspects sailboats and motor yachts throughout the Balearic Islands. The company’s director has more than 15 years of experience in the industry, including ocean sailing, refits, sales, and surveys for shipyards and public agencies. He provides services in Spanish, English, French, and German, and in addition to the Balearic Islands, he regularly works on the Spanish mainland, in France, Germany, and Belgium.

Survey Services

• Remote review of the listing: an initial assessment of a boat for sale before you travel to see it.
• Accompanied visit to the boat with the buyer.
• Full pre-purchase survey.
• Rigging survey, from the deck or by climbing the mast.
• Assistance with sea trials.
• Engine oil analysis.
• Damage and condition assessment.
• Supervision of refits and new construction.

Yacht Management

Westmar Surveys also offers services for boat owners who wish to delegate: comprehensive yacht management, crew hiring and payroll, flag state and classification society compliance, and insurance and claims management. Yacht management services are available worldwide.

Published Rates

Westmar publishes the reference price for pre-purchase surveys on its website, which is unusual in the industry:

Type of Boat	Price
Sailboat	€28 per foot of length
Motor yacht	€26 per foot of length
Minimum	€900
Example: 40-foot sailboat	starting at €1,120

The Purchase Process Step by Step

1. Review of the listing: photos, inventory, and history to rule out boats that aren’t worth the trip.
2. Inspection of the boat for an initial technical assessment.
3. Comprehensive inspection with the boat out of the water: hull, structure, moisture, osmosis, appendages, shafts, and propellers.
4. Sea trial to check engines, transmission, steering, electronics, and—on sailboats—sails and maneuverability.
5. Oil analysis if the engine has high hours.
6. Report with photos and prioritized defects, which is used to negotiate the price and for the insurance company.

Tips before hiring a surveyor

• Hire the surveyor yourself, not the seller: the surveyor should work for the buyer.
• Inspect the rigging separately if you’re buying a sailboat: replacing it is one of the most expensive items and isn’t always included in a standard survey.
• Request the dry-docking schedule well in advance, especially in the spring, when Mallorca’s dry docks are busiest.
• Keep the report: it will serve as a starting point for planning maintenance during the first few years.

Who It’s For

For buyers looking for a boat in the Balearic Islands who don’t live on the island, for boat owners who need a trusted technician to oversee a refit or manage the boat remotely, and for anyone who needs a damage report following an incident.

Rigging Inspection for Sailboats

On a used sailboat, the standing rigging is one of the items that can most significantly increase the purchase price. A rigging inspection checks the end fittings, spreaders, chain plates, turnbuckles, and the mast itself; if the inspector climbs the mast, they can assess the condition of the upper sections, which cannot be seen from the deck. Knowing the age and condition of the rigging before signing the contract prevents the later discovery that the entire system needs to be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Westmar Surveys operate? It is based in Palma and covers the entire Balearic Islands. It also works regularly on the Spanish mainland, in France, Germany, and Belgium, and in other locations upon request.

How much does a pre-purchase survey cost? According to their website, €28 per foot for sailboats and €26 per foot for motor yachts, with a minimum fee of €900.

Do they inspect the rigging on sailboats? Yes, they offer rigging inspections from the deck or by climbing the mast.

What languages do they support? Spanish, English, French, and German.

Can they manage my yacht and its crew? Yes, they offer comprehensive management, crew hiring and payroll, flag compliance, and insurance management.