There are two types of surveys out there .

• An insurance valuation, this is used primarily to show your insurance company your boats fit for water and that it is good risk not to mention setting its market value, cheap to have done, in fact we do these type of surveys on a limited number of boats and area

• A spit and polish survey, this is one conducted by a qualified marine surveyor, some one with accreditations from places like links I'll post below, he looks at your boat under eye of over turning any problems that may have been missed, he works for the buyer.

Be careful on these points people get confused easily, I know of one individual who passes himself off as a spit and polish but is actually an insurance valuator. People who don't know will get burned.  If you know your boats then the Valuation is the way to go but I am of the belief that pay the money and get a qualified guy to do the job so you know what needs to be done, all boats need work, I don't care what people tell you, if you look close you'll find it.

Here is one orginzation

Membership Roster Sorted Geographically