Can a boat be too inexpensive to justify a survey?

[Pirate's Booty]

My survey cost $16/foot, but I am in California - it was more than I wanted to spend - but in the end it was worth every penny. I found out some things about the boat that the owner had not mentioned (there is a oven and stove, but they are not hooked up to a gas tank and do not work). This allowed me to get the boat well under the asking price and also made sure I knew what I was getting myself into.

I would recommend it for anyone. (And I did need it for insurance anyhow.)

[Omatako]

"This allowed me to get the boat well under the asking price and also made sure I knew what I was getting myself into."

Besides the obvious benefits of preventing you buying a pup, the ability to pay for what you're really getting as opposed to what the seller would want you to believe you're getting is very useful. Even small deviations from the stated condition can result in meaningfull reductions in the selling price.
You could possibly save at least the value of the survey and get peace of mind for free.

[Wuurk]

I think if you need to ask "do I need a survey" you definitely need a qualified person to look at the boat. The cheaper the boat, the more potential for problems. Also, note insurance issues.