Why not just trust the dealer PDI?

Dealer PDIs are run by people paid to move boats out the door. An independent PDI is paid to find problems. Both can be good, but the incentive alignment is different, and independent PDI routinely finds issues dealers miss or glossed over.

When should I schedule PDI?

1-2 weeks before planned delivery. That gives the dealer time to fix warranty items before you take the boat. Waiting until delivery day puts you under time pressure to accept issues or delay closing.

Do you handle warranty claims in the first year?

Yes. We document warranty-eligible issues with photos and technical write-up so the dealer has what they need to process the claim under factory warranty.

What is the difference between PDI and pre-purchase survey?

PDI is for NEW boats right before dealer delivery. Pre-purchase survey (handled by our boat inspections service) is for USED boats where the buyer needs to know what they are actually getting.

New Boat Pre-Delivery Inspection in Miami

Name: Boat Repair Miami
Address: Miami, FL, US
Telephone: (305) 290-2701

Independent PDI for new boat buyers and warranty claim documentation in South Florida

Request Service Call (305) 290-2701

Miami PDI Specialists

Buying a new boat is one of the biggest purchases most people ever make. Dealers run a pre-delivery inspection in-house, but their incentive is to hand the keys over and bank the sale. An independent PDI is a third-party marine tech walking your new boat from bow to stern before you take delivery, catching anything that should be fixed under warranty or resolved before purchase. This is different from a pre-purchase inspection for used boats, which is covered by our boat inspections service.

(305) 290-2701

Why Independent PDI Matters

Dealer PDIs exist and most are done reasonably well. But two things make an independent PDI valuable:

Incentive alignment: Dealers want to deliver the boat and get paid. An independent tech is paid to find problems, not to hide them.
Manufacturer vs dealer issues: Dealer PDIs focus on dealer prep. Factory issues like crooked hardware installs, missing or wrong optional equipment, electronics not properly commissioned, and cosmetic defects often get glossed over.

What We Check on New Boat PDI

A thorough new boat PDI covers:

Hull and exterior: Gelcoat finish, obvious defects, cracking at hardware, gelcoat blisters, hardware alignment
Deck and cockpit: Deck fitting installation, hatches operate cleanly, dry stowage compartments, non-skid finish
Helm and console: All switches functional, electronics properly mounted and networked, commissioning verified
Engine and propulsion: Engine hours (most new boats have 2-5 from testing), fluid levels, visible leaks, SmartCraft or EVC integration
Electrical system: Battery installation, charger operation, shore power inlet test, all breakers and switches, ground faults
Plumbing: Freshwater pump priming, hot water heater operation, head flush test, livewell operation
Canvas and cushions: All ordered pieces present, zipper and snap function, fit
Included options: Everything on the sold-with list actually on the boat
Documentation: Owners manuals, warranties, keys, fobs, electronic registration

Sea Trial Option

A sea trial during PDI is highly recommended on anything with engines or complex systems. We ride along with the dealer, verify all systems work under operating conditions, test autopilot and electronics, and confirm steering, shift, and throttle behavior. Sea trial findings go into the PDI report.

PDI Report

You get a written report with photos documenting everything found. Report categories:

Must fix before delivery: Safety or major defects
Warranty items: Factory defects the dealer should handle under warranty
Observations: Minor cosmetic or setup notes
Confirmed working: Every major system tested and verified

This report is your negotiating leverage and your baseline for future warranty claims.

When to Schedule

Ideally 1-2 weeks before you plan to take delivery. Find issues early, give the dealer time to fix them, then accept delivery on a boat you actually know is right.

Warranty Claim Support

We also handle warranty claim documentation. If you notice an issue in the first weeks of ownership, we photograph, document, and write up the claim so the dealer has what they need to process it under factory warranty. Saves the back-and-forth and gets the boat fixed faster.

Scheduling a PDI? Call (305) 290-2701 or request service.

Know the Signs

When You Need an Independent PDI

If you notice any of these warning signs, contact our team right away. Early diagnosis saves you time and money on repairs.

Taking delivery of a new boat from any dealer

High-volume dealer with fast turnaround

Boat is more complex than your prior boats

Large option list that must be verified present

You plan to finance or insure the boat and want baseline documentation

First-time boat buyer unfamiliar with typical delivery issues

Buying from out-of-state dealer with local delivery

Our Process

Our PDI Process

Pre-PDI Consultation

We review your purchase agreement and option list so we know exactly what should be on the boat.

Dockside Inspection

Full walk-through of hull, deck, helm, engine, electrical, plumbing, and all included options.

Sea Trial (Optional)

Ride along with the dealer to verify systems work under operating conditions.

Written Report

Photo-documented PDI report with categorized findings you use to negotiate with the dealer before accepting delivery.

Miami PDI Specialists

Miami Dealer PDI Does Not Catch Everything

Miami has several high-volume boat dealers pushing large unit counts monthly. Dealer PDI quality varies. Our independent PDI catches the issues a busy dealer prep line misses, from missing hardware to incorrectly wired electronics to gelcoat defects shipped from the factory. We document everything with photos so you have a baseline for warranty claims over the first year of ownership.

Why Choose Us