Tri-State Marine Services stands as a beacon of excellence in marine surveying throughout Texas. From our base in Austin, we extend our expertise across the state, from San Antonio, Houston and Dallas ensuring top-tier surveying services for a diverse range of vessels. Here’s what sets us apart:
A thorough assessment covering everything from structural integrity to safety gear, essential for informed vessel purchasing.
Evaluates risk and safety for insurance purposes, focusing on structural integrity and providing a market value estimate.
Determines the vessel's fair market value for financial, legal, or personal purposes.
Assesses damage extent, recommends repairs, and estimates costs, crucial for post-incident evaluations.
Certified by The American Boating and Yacht Council and trained at the Chapman School of Seamanship, our surveyors embody top-tier expertise, ensuring your vessel is assessed with unparalleled skill.
Our Texas-wide reach provides accessible, customized service for every client. Whether in Austin or beyond, we deliver meticulous attention to each unique marine surveying need.
Utilizing advanced InspectX technology, we provide rapid yet thorough surveys. Our detailed reports meet strict insurance and lender standards, equipping you with essential vessel insights.
As a boat owner in Texas, choosing the right marine surveyor was crucial for me. I'm so glad I went with Tri-State Marine Services. The level of detail and professionalism their team showed was outstanding. Ian, one of their surveyors, was particularly impressive with his thorough knowledge and courteous manner. He went above and beyond, ensuring that every aspect of my vessel was meticulously checked and clearly reported. Thanks to Ian and the Tri-State team, I feel confident and secure about my boat's condition and value. Highly recommend their services to any boat owner looking for top-notch expertise.
EXCELLENT Based on 30 reviews Dave Xiong2025-03-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent Boat Surveying Service by Ian I recently had the pleasure of working with Ian as my boat surveyor when purchasing a boat from out of state, and I couldn’t be more impressed with his work. Ian conducted a highly thorough survey, providing detailed insights that greatly aided my decision-making process. He meticulously documented the boat’s condition by taking numerous high-quality photos and videos, ensuring I had a comprehensive visual record of its state. Along with this, Ian presented a balanced list of pros and cons, highlighting both the strengths and areas for potential improvement. Ian’s professionalism shone through in every aspect of his service. He was punctual and concise, clearly explaining his findings and answering all of my questions with ease. His ability to address any concerns promptly and his fair pricing further demonstrate his commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. I highly recommend Ian for anyone in need of a reliable and professional boat surveyor. His detailed approach and expert opinion make him an invaluable asset in the boat buying process. Randy Webster2025-02-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ian was absolutely fantastic! As a first-time cruiser buyer, I had tons of questions, and he took the time to answer every single one with patience and expertise. He guided me through the entire process, always making himself available when I needed him. His detailed analysis of my boat’s survey gave me complete confidence in my purchase. I can’t thank Ian enough and highly recommend him to anyone in need of a knowledgeable and trustworthy marine surveyor. Look no further—give Ian a call! Shawn Cronin2025-02-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend any boat you buy in this area to use this company. Me and my daughters flew out to texas last weekend to look at a boat that was supposed to be ready to go. Well let's just say it was not. Ian also found quite a few things I did not see or overlooked. Not to mention, I called him late on a Saturday. Told him I was flying out Sunday at 3 PM. He came out on Super Bowl Sunday and help me out. Very knowledgeable and helpful!! Ted Apking2025-01-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ian was highly responsive and very thorough. He provided excellent pictures and video and explained everything that he found by telephone, allowing me to make my purchase decision with confidence. I recommend him. Sydney Fornera2024-11-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ian was a great asset (5-star) to POPS and helped me feel comfortable with the purchase of the 2020 Nauticstar bpat recently. Rafael Martinez2024-11-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional approach, clear and non bias. I felt I was taken care of in every step of the process. Gary Lochte2024-11-02Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a Senior Consultant with POPSELLS.COM I've worked with numerous marine surveyors for the past 15 years, but very few do I regard as highly as Ian MacKinnon. He is very knowledgeable, very thorough, and understands how to effectively describe his findings. I find him highly credentialed and trustworthy, and wholeheartedly recommend him. james newton2024-10-17Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ian and his team did an excellent job with our survey. Great communication! Everything was very detailed and thorough. I would highly recommend Ian and his team for any boat or yacht that you are purchasing. Joe Gillum2024-10-17Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I worked with Ian MacKinnon out of the Austin area to get a sailboat surveyed to evaluate its condition. It's an older boat with a lot of 'interesting' things going on. He did an amazing job examining and analyzing the boat's strengths and weaknesses. He went above and beyond, visiting the boat several times and communicating with the owner for me to coordinate those visits, to track down some tricky issues. His advice and knowledge were outstanding and helped so much in determining next steps in my boat-purchase journey. I highly recommend giving Ian or this company a call if you are looking at a boat and need a survey by someone who cares about their work and is extremely thorough and communicative.
Explore the range of specialized services at Tri-State Marine Services, where we offer Pre-Purchase, Insurance, Appraisal, and Damage Surveys. Each service is tailored to meet your specific marine surveying needs, ensuring precision and reliability. Whether you’re assessing a new purchase, needing an insurance evaluation, determining market value, or inspecting post-damage conditions, our expert team is here to provide comprehensive and detailed insights for your peace of mind. Trust us to be your guiding compass in the world of marine surveying.
Ensure your vessel investment is sound with our comprehensive Pre-Purchase Survey. We meticulously evaluate the vessel’s condition, from structural integrity to safety equipment, providing you with a thorough assessment and a fair market value estimation. We include, as a free service, a copy of the Boat-alert report on the vessel you are considering, giving you peace of mind about its history. Look at www.boat-alert.com for all the information the report gives you.
Our Insurance Survey is essential for assessing a vessel’s risk profile. Focused on structural integrity and safety compliance, this survey is often a prerequisite for insurance companies, especially for older boats, and includes a fair market value assessment.
Whether for financing, legal, or personal reasons, our Appraisal Survey delivers an accurate determination of your vessel’s market value. Tailored for estate settlements, divorces, donations, and legal cases, this survey provides the vital valuation information you need.
In the aftermath of an incident, our Damage Survey is crucial for understanding the extent of damage, recommending repairs, and estimating repair costs. We can also investigate potential causes, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
In the aftermath of an incident, our Damage Survey is crucial for understanding the extent of damage, recommending repairs, and estimating repair costs. We can also investigate potential causes, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
Meet the dedicated team at Tri-State Marine Services, a group of highly skilled and certified marine surveyors who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every survey. Each member, educated at the prestigious Chapman School of Seamanship and accredited by The American Boating and Yacht Council, is committed to providing detailed, reliable, and professional assessments. Our team’s diverse expertise covers a range of vessel types, ensuring that no matter what your specific needs are, you have a specialist ready to assist. Together, we prioritize precision, efficiency, and client satisfaction, making us your ideal partners in marine surveying across Texas.
Ian qualified as a Graduate Surveyor from the Chapman School of Seamanship, holds a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Surrey in the UK, is a member of ACMS, and holds several certifications from the American Boating and Yachting Council covering Electrical Systems, Marine Systems and Adherence to ABYC standards.
Ian was born in the UK, moved to the US in 1999 and is now a US Citizen.
He was former executive director of US Naval Sailing in Annapolis, MD and specializes in sailboats, electrical systems and corrosion issues.
Trey qualified as a Graduate Surveyor from the Chapman School of Seamanship, holds a Bachelors Degree in General Business from Texas Tech University and was a certified educator for over 20 years. Trey Is a member of ACMS and holds certifications from the American Boating and Yacht Council.
He has over 45 years of experience in his boating career and has held many positions including Marine technician, marine haulier, Boat sales and was an Insurance Co. Executive for 15 years.
Trey specializes in classic boats and wooden boats. He currently owns three boats ranging from 21’ to 42’.
Adrianna qualified as a Graduate from the Chapman School of Seamanship, is a seasoned Charter Captain with nearly a decade of experience on Lake Travis, specializing in double-decker charter boats, houseboats, and yachts. She is a member of ABYC and is certified in the application of their marine standards.
Adrianna was born and raised in Texas and has experience in Boat Sales, has chartered vessels for multiple marinas and private clients on Lake Travis, and has been certified by Mercury Engines in, Fuel systems, Cooling systems, and Electrical systems.
Adrianna specializes in power boats.
Our specialized approach involves a meticulous assessment of the hull’s condition, identifying any signs of deterioration, breaches, or weaknesses that could lead to leaks.
Premier marine surveyors are permitted to use a designation denoting membership in accrediting organizations requiring members to meet and adhere to strict professional, technical and ethical standards. Our Surveyors have met all of those requirements and by using the ABYC, NFPA, USCG standards for surveys, you will be provided with a survey accepted by both lenders and insurance companies. Your inspection will be thorough and provide you with detailed information regarding condition, performance and value of your vessel.
In order to purchase insurance, most companies require proof of fair market value and current condition. A survey will provide you with this necessary information. The same can be said if financing is involved. A survey will provide the lender with the appraisal they need to approve the loan. However, more important than both the lender and insurance company, a survey will provide you the purchaser, with an in depth look at the condition, both interior and exterior, and mechanical so you have the ability to make a decision that is best for you. It has been said that a survey is the most cost effective insurance policy you can buy if it prevents you from purchasing someone else’s problem.
The surveyor does not prepare the vessel for a survey. That will be the responsibility of the owner/purchaser. The vessel should be clean and free of any debris or clutter so that a clear look at the structure is possible. If a ‘bottom inspection’ has been requested, the owner will need to make arrangements with a boatyard to have the vessel hauled out of the water. The bottom should be cleaned so any defects are visible. When a ‘sea trial’ has been ordered, it is the responsibility of the owner to retain a captain for operation during the survey. The surveyor cannot run the boat while inspecting it. All of these things need to be coordinated prior to the inspection date and all parties informed in order to ensure a smooth and thorough survey.
The party ordering the survey is responsible for payment which is required prior to the survey commencing. The ‘haul out’ and captain’s fee are also the responsibility of the person requesting the survey. These arrangements need to be made and confirmed between the owner/buyer prior to the inspection date.
Each survey is unique and there are many variables involved such as location, size of the vessel, condition and a host of others. Generally, the inspection portion is completed in hours with minimal inconvenience to either party. This is a question for the surveyor during the initial consultation.
Typically putting a boat through a sea trial and visual inspection will be enough for most surveys. Belts, hoses, mounts, stringers, pumps and overall condition will be assessed however we are not engine surveyors. If an engine survey is requested it will be up to the person requesting the survey to hire a qualified technician certified by the specific engine manufacturer. They will bring proprietary tools and knowledge to the survey that most surveyors may not have. Specialized compression testing tools needed to conduct tests on various types of motors are usually not part of a surveyor’s toolbox. We do offer oil sample spectro-analysis at a reasonable price and those results are usually available within a week. These oil tests can speak volumes about the condition of a motor or gear.
If you are requesting a survey for a boat which you already own, you may not need a sea trial. If you are purchasing a boat it is highly recommended a sea trial be conducted. During a sea trial the motors will be asked to perform under varying conditions. Typically back down tests, wide open throttle tests, control tests and function of all engine monitoring systems will be conducted. Much information about the condition and maintenance can be learned during a thorough sea trial. Highly recommended.
We have offices in Austin and Ft Worth with a proposed office in Houston and are prepared to travel to ensure you get a timely survey. We have links to other Surveyors qualified to the same high standards as ourselves and will readily recommend a surveyor to cover your needs outside Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Normally we will split travel costs with our clients depending on distance and time required. This should be discussed during the initial consultation.