Why Hull & Corrosion Inspections Matter Before Summer Cruising

If your boat has been kept in storage with minimal use over the bulk of the year, then you likely won’t be able to go directly from the boatshed to the bay safely. To ensure that your vessel is ready for cruising over the summer holidays, it’s strongly advised that you book a hull and corrosion inspection as a preventative maintenance measure, to keep your boat performing optimally, and to keep you and your fellow passengers safe.

Below, our marine surveyors here at Seaworthy Inspections will outline in detail why hull and corrosion inspections are a must-schedule before summer cruising season.

Hull and corrosion inspections are a vital preparatory step for summer boating as they help detect any signs of cracks, leaks, or other structural problems before you take your vessel out on the open water.

Hull and corrosion inspections also help maintain the performance of your boat by reducing drag caused by excess marine growth, and preventing costly repairs resulting from unchecked sources of corrosion. If you’re hoping to both cruise comfortably this summer, and keep your vessel in consistently optimal condition to extend its usable lifespan, booking a pre-season hull and corrosion inspection routinely is essential.

Here are the main benefits of booking a hull and corrosion inspection prior to summer cruising season:

• Proactive identification of damage, leaks, corrosion before they snowball into costlier, higher-risk issues
• Supports regulatory compliance and certification requirements
• Supports adherence to marine safety and operational standards
• Supports the safety of boaters during peak season
• Extends the lifespan of your hull and boat
• Reduces maintenance costs for boat owners

Hull corrosion can be caused by many different factors, including, but not limited to:

• The deterioration of anti-corrosion paints, stains, and other treatment coating
• The presence of marine growth like barnacles or algae attached to hulls (i.e. biofouling)
• Physical damage to welds, seams, steel sheets that expose metal components, resulting in rust/corrosion
• Natural presence of saltwater that accelerates corrosion, gradually weakening the defence of your hull over time

In essence, corrosion to your hull is not simply a possibility, but a guarantee for all vessels. As such, boat owners must always prioritise hull maintenance, with hull and corrosion inspections being a foundational measure in protecting your vessel’s most vulnerable yet vital feature.

Now that we’ve outlined the main triggers for corrosion in boats, the following list of the most common hull problems likely won’t be a surprise for you.

Here are the biggest problem areas and types of hull problems found during our hull and corrosion inspections:

• Cracks, dents, and deformations – can be found during visual inspection and/or dye penetrant inspection
• Corrosion – can be identified via visual inspection and thoroughly evaluated via ultrasonic testing or magnetic particle testing to gauge the extent of internal corrosion
• Coating deterioration – can be found during visual inspection
• Biofouling (i.e. the presence of barnacles, algae, and other marine life on hull) – can be found during visual inspection

According to the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) in their 2025 Stats Report, global marine hull insurance comprised USD$9.67 billion of the total USD$39.92 billion in marine insurance premiums. Hull claims were also amongst the most common types of claims made to marine insurers globally.

This speaks to the importance of keeping your hull in strong working condition. With a proactive approach to hull maintenance, you can help ensure that your marine insurance claims stay minimal, and that your boat stays in good working order in the leadup to peak season and following extended periods of little to no use.

Whilst it can be easy enough to spot signs of physical damage to a boat’s exterior (i.e. dents and cracks), the extent of corrosion can be trickier to evaluate with certainty, as issues like rust can run deeper than the surface level. This is why the keen eye of marine surveyors and the use of technical equipment like ultrasonic testing and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for testing of underwater sections is vital for effectively conducting hull and corrosion inspections for safety assessments as well as compliance reports and insurance condition reporting.

Whilst you may be able to spot some tell-tale signs of damage or corrosion independently, there’s no guarantee that the surface level signs you’re seeing aren’t just the tip of the iceberg, and are not indicative of operational and structural issues that run a lot deeper. The best way to ensure that your vessel is in good working condition before summer boating season is to book yourself in for a professional hull and corrosion inspection.

Similarly, if you require a condition report to submit to your insurance provider during your annual renewal period, then you won’t be able to rely on spotting hull damage with your own eye.

At Seaworthy Inspections, we take pride in providing our marine surveying services across Australia, with hull and corrosion inspections available to book across:

New South Wales

• Sydney
• South Coast
• Newcastle
• Port Stephens
• Coffs Harbour
• Port Macquarie

Queensland

• Gold Coast
• Brisbane
• Sunshine Coast
• Mackay
• Townsville

Tasmania

• Hobart & Surrounds

Victoria

• Melbourne
• Gippsland Lakes Region
• Warrigul Region

Western Australia

• Perth
• Fremantle
• Mandurah

Note: If you don’t see your area in the list above but still require a professional boat inspection, then please give us a call. We have a network reach across Australia and may still be able to facilitate a hull and corrosion inspection for you as needed.

At Seaworthy Inspections, our mission is to support our clients and customers in enjoying safer recreational boating all year-round. Our fully unbiased, independent marine inspections ensure uncompromising peace of mind for Australian boating enthusiasts.

Book your inspection with our team online, or get in touch with our marine surveyors if you have any questions regarding our services. For more information, feel free to also check out our FAQ, which includes additional details regarding our mobile services, inspection appointment times, and other answers to practical questions.