Boat Appraisal
Boat appraisals and marine surveys for charitable donations, estate tax and settlements, probate court, vehicle titling, social security and other legal and tax purposes.
Independent, USPAP-Compliant Boat & Watercraft Valuations
AppraiseItNow provides independent boat and watercraft appraisals for personal, legal, and compliance-driven purposes. Our appraisals are prepared by credentialed appraisers with extensive experience valuing a wide range of boats and personal watercraft and are delivered through a streamlined, online-first process designed for accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.
Our boat and watercraft appraisals are commonly used for:
- Estate and trust matters
- IRS-qualified charitable donations
- Divorce and family law matters
- Insurance coverage and claims, including total loss and diminished value
- Resale planning and ownership transitions
All reports are prepared in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and are tailored to the specific purpose of the assignment.
Types of Boat Valuations we provide:
- Fair Market Value (most popular for tax purposes, divorce, purchase & sale)
- Replacement Value
- Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Types of Boats & Watercraft We Appraise
- Powerboats & Motorboats: Bowriders, center consoles, cuddy cabins, deck boats, and runabouts
- Yachts & Large Vessels: Motor yachts, sport yachts, and cruising yachts
- Sailboats: Cruising sailboats, racing sailboats, and performance sailcraft
- Personal Watercraft (PWC): Jet skis, wave runners, and other personal watercraft
- Fishing & Work Boats: Sportfishing boats, commercial fishing vessels, and utility boats
- Specialty & Custom Watercraft: Custom-built, heavily modified, or specialty vessels
- Vintage & Classic Boats: Antique, restored, or collector-grade watercraft
- Fleet & Multi-Unit Watercraft: Rental fleets, dealer inventory, estates, and private collections
In addition to USPAP-compliant boat and watercraft appraisals, AppraiseItNow also offers marine survey services for applicable assignments, including condition and valuation surveys commonly required for insurance underwriting, financing, ownership transfers, and risk assessment. When a marine survey is required, our team will advise on the appropriate scope and coordinate accordingly.
How the Appraisal Process Works
Our process is designed to minimize friction while maintaining professional rigor:
- Initial Intake: You submit basic information about the mobile or manufactured home, including location, home type, year, and intended use of the appraisal.
- Research & Valuation: A credentialed appraiser conducts market research and valuation analysis specific to factory-built housing, including comparable sales and condition-based adjustments.
- Report Delivery: Your completed appraisal report is delivered electronically, along with any required supporting documentation appropriate to the stated use.
Boat Appraisal Pricing
AppraiseItNow's boat & watercraft appraisal fees are transparent, scope-based, and USPAP-compliant for the intended use, with fixed pricing quoted in advance (not billed hourly); pricing shown is for informational purposes only and final fees are confirmed after reviewing the asset details and scope. Marine surveys are conducted onsite and are subject to a separate pricing structure. .
Standard Online Boat Appraisals - Starting at $195
- USPAP-compliant report for standard purposes, including:
- Personal use
- Purchase & Sale
- Bonded title
Advanced Online Boat Appraisals - Starting at $295
- USPAP-compliant and IRS-qualified report for advanced purposes, including:
- Charitable donations
- Estate tax and distributions
- Insurance coverage & claims
- Divorce
- Other legal purposes
Onsite Marine Surveys & Appraisals - Inquire for project-based pricing (starting at $3K in fees)
Typical Fee Range: $195 – $595
Written USPAP-compliant RV appraisals reports for when defensibility matters.
Given the USPAP-compliant nature of AppraiseItNow’s appraisal reports, we prepare our deliverables for major legal, tax, and financial reporting purposes for individual and commercial clients.
Popular uses of our appraisal reports include:
Tax, Estate & Financial Planning
- Capital gains tax
- Gift and estate tax
- Charitable donations
- Estate planning and probate
Transactions, Lending & Investment
- Loan collateral
- Purchase & Sale Transactions
- Title Bond Purposes
Insurance & Risk Management
- Insurance coverage
- Insurance claims (Total Loss and Diminished Value)
- Third-party claims
Life Events & Special Circumstances
- Divorce
- Social Security reporting
- E-2 visa applications
- Bankruptcy Filings
Boat & Watercraft Appraisal – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a boat or watercraft appraisal?
A boat or watercraft appraisal is an independent, professional opinion of value for a specific vessel as of a defined effective date. The appraisal is prepared for a stated intended use—such as insurance, tax, estate, or legal purposes—and complies with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
What types of boats and watercraft does AppraiseItNow appraise?
We appraise a wide range of boats and watercraft classified as personal property, including powerboats, sailboats, yachts, personal watercraft (PWCs), fishing boats, work boats, specialty and custom vessels, vintage and classic boats, and multi-unit fleets or collections.
Are your boat and watercraft appraisals USPAP-compliant?
Yes. All AppraiseItNow boat and watercraft appraisals are prepared in compliance with USPAP and are tailored to the intended use of the report.
What are common reasons someone needs a boat appraisal?
Boat and watercraft appraisals are commonly used for estate and trust matters, IRS-qualified charitable donations, divorce and family law proceedings, insurance coverage and claims (including total loss and diminished value), ownership transfers, and financial or legal planning.
Are boat appraisals accepted by insurers, the IRS, and courts?
Our appraisals are designed to meet professional and regulatory standards and are commonly used for insurance, tax, and legal purposes. Acceptance ultimately depends on the reviewing party, but reports are prepared to withstand third-party scrutiny.
Do you provide marine surveys?
Yes. AppraiseItNow offers marine survey services for applicable assignments. Marine surveys typically address vessel condition, construction, and seaworthiness and may be required by insurers or lenders. When a survey is needed, we will advise on the appropriate scope and coordinate accordingly.
What is the difference between a boat appraisal and a marine survey?
A boat appraisal focuses on value, while a marine survey focuses on condition and seaworthiness. An appraisal may reference observable condition as it relates to value, but it does not replace a marine survey. Some assignments require both services, depending on the intended use.
Do you provide online or remote boat appraisals?
Yes. Many boat and watercraft appraisals can be completed remotely using detailed photos, specifications, HIN/VIN information, service records, and supporting documentation. Onsite inspections may be required for complex, high-value, disputed, or survey-related assignments.
Do you inspect boats in person?
In-person inspections are performed when required by scope, vessel complexity, intended use, or when a marine survey is requested. Otherwise, appraisals may be completed through a remote, documentation-based process.
Can you handle insurance claims or total loss valuations?
Yes. We regularly prepare appraisals for insurance coverage, total loss determinations, and value disputes. These reports are structured to support insurer review and may involve additional scope when negotiation or clarification is required.
How much does a boat or watercraft appraisal cost?
Fees are scope-based and quoted as a fixed price before work begins. Pricing depends on vessel type, size, complexity, intended use, and whether an onsite inspection or marine survey is required. Final fees are confirmed after reviewing asset details and scope.
How long does a boat appraisal take?
Most boat and watercraft appraisals are completed within 5–10 business days once all required information is received. Timelines may vary for complex vessels, fleets, or survey-based assignments.
What information do I need to provide?
Typically, we request vessel details (year, make, model), HIN/VIN, engine information, photos, condition notes, service and maintenance records, ownership details, and the intended use of the appraisal. Clear documentation helps streamline the process and control cost.
Can you appraise multiple boats or fleets?
Yes. We appraise boat collections, estates, dealer inventory, rental fleets, and multi-vessel portfolios. Fleet or multi-unit assignments may require onsite inspection depending on scope.
Do you buy, sell, or broker boats or watercraft?
No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm. We do not buy, sell, broker, or finance boats or watercraft, ensuring unbiased and defensible valuation conclusions.
Do you perform appraisals for IRS Form 8283 filings for donations?
Yes, we do! AppraiseItNow prepares hundreds of appraisals for IRS Form 8283 filings each year.
What are the IRS's requirements for boat donation appraisals?
The IRS specifies in Publication 561 that: "Except for inexpensive small boats, the valuation of boats should be based on an appraisal by a marine surveyor because the physical condition is so critical to the value."
While unclear what defines "small" or "inexpensive," AppraiseItNow understands that boats exceeding 40' in length will require a marine survey. This is something we can guide you through once we get in touch!