boat surveyor

[johndoe]

I am in the market for a cruiser in the 24 to 28 ft length. I looked at new ones at the boat show, but can't quite fit them in my budget of under 50K. Looking for a well maintained used Searay or equivalent. I have knowledge on what to look at when examining a used boat, but I am wondering if paying a surveyor is worth it... and where do you start to find a reputable one?<br /><br />Anyone who has had a boat surveyed, what was your experience? Any list of what a surveyor looks at would be helpful..?<br /><br />thanks!

 

[arks]

Re: boat surveyor

It's ABSOLUTELY worth it. Even with my 25+ years on the water I wouldn't buy a cabin boat without a survey; there's just too many (very expensive) potential problems to investigate. A trained surveyor can be worth his weight in gold. The going rate for an accredited surveyor is about $16/ foot for the boats you're considering. That's less than 500 bucks, and he could save you literally thousands. This is one time not to be cheap!<br />Here's a link to the SAMS website- look at the left margin for "Find a Surveyor":<br /> http://www.marinesurvey.org/index2.html

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: boat surveyor

100% yes on the survey.You will find different types of surveys and surveyors.Some just make a report on what they see.Some do that and a sea trial.And some do both plus a full mechanical checkup on the engines and drive system.When I bought my boat ,I went for all of the above plus a short haul and inspection of all under waterline.Boat US is one of the best places to look for a surveyor.They list a hand full of them.Make sure you ask the surveyor if he is a certified surveyor and not an apprentice or assistant.I saved my self a few thousand dollars when I had mine surveyed.Dont expect a survey like I had to be an inexpensive one though.The price of the boat is never final until after the survey!!! Charlie

 

[mattttt25]

Re: boat surveyor

i didn't survey my 20' center console or my 24' walk, but i came close with the later. i took a chance, but had 3 different people, all very knowledgable, look at the boat with me. maybe i got lucky, but things all worked out.<br /><br />when i take the next step and go larger, i'll get a survey. many times, you need one performed for financing and/or insurance, so then it's simply required. but when you move into that range of boat and that price, it basically becomes like a real estate transaction- you get the survey done (home inspection), which documents anything wrong on the boat. you note the small issues, but ask for the larger items to be repaired or the price to reflect the issue. really does save you money in the end and could prevent a major hardship down the road.<br /><br />good luck and enjoy-

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: boat surveyor

Get the Survey!! Just bought a 2002 Pro Line. I hired a surveyor. He found a few small (minor) problems. Gave me credibility in asking to fix the problems before you buy. If the seller won't fix the problem walk away. I did and he fixed the problems. If the surveyor doesn't find any thing wrong , great you will get a good boat. But trust me he WILL find problems. He works for you.<br /> Dead Eye

 

[Solittle]

Re: boat surveyor

All you have to do is spend a few hours here reading the tails of woe. The ones that get me are those who never had a boat, did not require a water test, did not check the compression and took the sellers word on the condition. Then they stop by and say "I just got this used 19?? (whatever) and now it won't (whatever). Often that is about all they will tell us.