Marine Surveyor in Chicago & the Great Lakes
Pre-purchase, insurance, and condition & value surveys for sail and power boats. NAVTEC Master Marine Surveyor, ABYC Marine S
Veteran-owned marine surveyor based in Chicago
About No Salt Surveyor
Veteran-owned marine survey practice in Chicago, led by Capt. William T. Shehan IV, USCG Master, NAVTEC Master Marine Surveyor #43224, and ABYC Marine Systems Advisor. Independent vessel inspections for buyers, owners, brokers, and insurers across Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.
Marine Survey Services in Chicago & the Great Lakes
Pre-Purchase Survey
Comprehensive inspection of hull, structure, mechanical systems, electrical, safety equipment, and electronics on sail and power boats. Detailed report with full photo documentation. Starting at $25-35/ft.
Insurance Condition & Value (C&V) Survey
Condition and value assessment for underwriters and insurance renewals. Covers vessel condition, safety compliance, and fair market valuation. Starting at $20-25/ft.
Catamaran & Multihull Survey
Specialized surveys for multihull sailboats and power catamarans, with dual-hull and dual-system expertise. One of the few Great Lakes surveyors with catamaran experience. Premium of $2-5/ft over the base survey rate.
Damage Survey
Assessment and documentation of vessel damage for insurance claims, including cause analysis and repair cost estimation. Contact for quote.
Valuation & Appraisal Update
Valuation only: market-based comparable analysis using current sales data, active listings, and industry guides, starting at $300. Appraisal update: desk review to update a prior survey valuation with no site visit, ideal for insurance renewals within 2-3 years. Contact for quote.
In-Water Inspection
Inspection of the underwater hull, running gear, rudders, through-hulls, anodes, trim tabs, and transducers by a retained diver under the surveyor's direct supervision. Scope can be limited to specific components on request. Contact for quote.
Additional Services
Sea trial survey ($85/hour, 2-hour minimum), engine oil sample collection ($125/sample), OUPV charter vessel inspection, commercial vessel sampling, sail service coordination, and consultation. Multi-vessel discounts for brokerages: 2 vessels 10%, 3 vessels 15%, 4 or more 20%.
Yacht Delivery
Professional vessel delivery by a USCG-licensed delivery captain. Rates start at $500 per day for standard inland and coastal deliveries; final pricing depends on the vessel, route, distance, duration, condition, crew requirements, and weather. Owner-paid expenses such as fuel, provisions, dockage, customs fees, airfare, lodging, and additional crew are quoted separately or reimbursed at cost. Offshore, international, and complex deliveries require a custom proposal. Coverage from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean, Alaska, and anywhere in between.
Why Choose No Salt Surveyor
Accredited & Insured
Chicago & Great Lakes Service Area
Chicago & Great Lakes Service Area
NAVTEC Master Marine Surveyor #43224, ABYC Marine Systems Advisor, and USCG Master. Bonded and insured with $2,000,000 E&O coverage per occurrence.
Chicago & Great Lakes Service Area
Chicago & Great Lakes Service Area
Chicago & Great Lakes Service Area
Home base in Chicago. Primary service area is Chicago and Lake Michigan within 50 miles (mileage at the GSA rate). Regional Great Lakes and cross-lake surveys with per diem and lodging. National and international travel surveys by proposal.
Comprehensive InspectX Reports
Chicago & Great Lakes Service Area
Comprehensive InspectX Reports
Every survey includes a detailed InspectX report with full photo documentation, delivered promptly after quality control review. Reports are accepted by lenders and insurers.
Power & Sail, Mono & Multihull
Power & Sail, Mono & Multihull
Comprehensive InspectX Reports
We survey power and sail, monohull and multihull, single- and multi-deck, from daysailers to 110-foot motor yachts, with larger vessels by arrangement.
Veteran-Owned & Independent
Power & Sail, Mono & Multihull
Fast Turnaround & Travel Ready
Founded and run by an Army veteran and USCG Master with 30+ years and 10,000+ nautical miles of experience. Honest, unbiased assessments that protect buyers, owners, and insurers.
Fast Turnaround & Travel Ready
Power & Sail, Mono & Multihull
Fast Turnaround & Travel Ready
Reports delivered promptly with QC review. Capt. Shehan travels from Alaska to the Caribbean and anywhere in between, with travel-based proposals for vessels outside the Chicago area.
Our Work
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