Ovation Boat SurveysOffering a comprehensive package of surveying on steel and iron narrowboats and Dutch barges both historic and modern, commercial, and residential.

Whilst surveying in all UK locations, principal locations would include Central England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire Derbyshire Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.

Types of surveys include Pre-Purchase Survey, Hull Survey, Insurance Survey, Condition Survey, and Damage Surveys.

Feel free to contact Ovation Boat Surveys for free, independent advice and to discuss your requirements.

On instruction, we can liaise with the broker to arrange the survey day. An overview conversation after survey can be helpful and the report is emailed 5-7 days following.

Surveying fee is required 1-2 days before the survey day being payable by bank transfer.

Who's Who at Ovation Boat Surveys

Chris Williams was bitten by the narrow boating bug as a West London school boy and has subsequently spent much of his life living & breathing narrowboats.

Trained as a small craft surveyor in 2012 following a number of years as a Boat Safety Scheme examiner and Gas Safe Registered marine gas engineer and holds a Small Craft Surveying diploma from the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS).

Having lived and worked in the marine environment for many years, Chris’ accumulated knowledge and expertise helps ensure a professional and friendly service.

Chris also heads up a team of professional boatbuilders building quality narrowboats, trading as Ovation Boats.

Covering all UK locations, Ovation Boat Surveys typical area for surveying is central England and being located near Loughborough, Chris is well placed for surveying in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

Graeme Pearce completed a Diploma in small craft surveying at the National Sea Training Centre and Lloyds Maritime Academy in 2009 and joined the Ovation Boats Surveying team in 2021. Graeme is a member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS).

Graeme has a wealth of knowledge pertaining to narrowboats. With a great interest in historic narrowboats, he has spent many years restoring many iron and steel narrowboats, both of riveted and welded construction. Graeme has received restoration awards from the Historic Narrowboat Owners Club - two of which received the Hemelryk Award.

Having gained a great deal of experience, Graeme took the plunge 21 years ago becoming managing director of the Stockton Dry Dock Company. Here he provided refurbishment / repair to both modern and historic vessels. In addition to fabrication, engineering with engine fitting / replacement was also undertaken.

Covering all UK locations, Ovation Boat Surveys typical area for surveying is central England and being based near Warwick, Graeme is well placed for surveying in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.