There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles over the boat when a surveyor steps aboard. It’s not judgment so much as bookkeeping with a flashlight. Most inspections go well when you treat them like a pre-departure check, not an exam.
Have the hatches open, panels unscrewed, and the bilges clean enough that a small leak can’t hide in yesterday’s grime. If something’s been replaced, serviced, or rebuilt, put the paper where it can be found without a scavenger hunt.
And don’t sweat the scuffs. They’ve seen worse. What they care about is whether the boat is tight, safe, and honestly cared for—and whether you can prove it without making anyone crawl into a locker twice.