Finding a Boat Inspector

[JLK62]

Hi everyone. First post here from an iboats forum n00b.
I haven't own a boat for many years and the wife & I are getting back into it. I'm about to make an offer on a 2000 23' bowrider & want to hire an inspector to make sure there is no rot and the engine/outdrive are ok. How do I go about locating these inspectors? Do I just google "boat inspectors near Buford, GA"? The boat is in Buford, but I live 45 minutes south or 45 minutes NE of there, so I don't know anyone in the area.

What is a common price range for inspecting a I/O bowrider?

Thx
JLK

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

Google Marine Surveyors. Mine was $15/ft. YMMV.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

Welcome to iboats!

Yes the key word is Surveyor and I have seen them average about $500.

You could save a bunch of money if you read this and the forum. You can educate yourself http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topics-questions-not-engine-topics/new-members-needing-help-buying-boat-buyers-checklist-635170.html and depending on your personal skill level and the skill level of friends make it a DIY project.

The real key in buying a boat is the water test. When the conditions do not permit it is when you have to look harder.

Good Luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

for smaller boats like yours you can also go to a reputable shop and hire them to inspect; you will be taking the boat there after you buy it for the water pump and other start-up work. Maybe your seller will condition the sale on a satisfactory check-over within a week of purchase. It's a good idea to have a working relationship with a shop, buy stuff from it even if it's cheaper from the devil (walmart, bass pro), get them to do stuff you can do yourself--so when you need them, they are there for you.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

Arrange to take the boat to the nearest Marine shop and have them go over it for you...........(before you buy it).. if the owner has a problem with that.. RUN!!!!!!!!!

 

[JLK62]

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

Thanks for the welcome & all the great advice.

I'm buying from a well known new & used boat dealer. They say they have done a service and tested compression. But I still want a 3rd party to do compression and oil pressure tests before purchase. The engine has about 450 hours on it but engine, outdrive, bilge, hull and interior all look like they were very well maintained.

I read the used boat buying guide and it was very helpful. I already walked away from two "squishy decks"! lol The pro is much better suited than me to test the transom and other things like that though. He will give me a higher comfort level about the soundness of the structure.

Already planning a lake test and they have no problems with us adding contingencies for inspections to the sales terms.

This boat is on Lake Lanier in GA, but we have a house at Lake Hartwell (about an hour away). Don't have a relationship with a mechanic in either location. I plan to work with a marina that is about 10 minutes away from the Hartwell house. They have a good reputation with some locals I've met.

Now to call some surveyors.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

If you're buying from a good dealer and he gives you good reports and maybe a warranty, I wouldn't spend the money on another inspection. I mean, do you think he's going to make up the compression numbers?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

Arrange to take the boat to the nearest Marine shop and have them go over it for you...........(before you buy it).. if the owner has a problem with that.. RUN!!!!!!!!!

few sellers are going to turn their boat over to a prospective buyer to ride all over the county getting others to wrench on it, nor are they going to take it to the shop for you. At most, you buy it with a short "bring back" period to get it checked out.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

I had one of the "few" sellers that said fine.......he hauled it to a marine shop of my choice before sale... it's not that big a deal.. anyone who balks has something to hide........

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Finding a Boat Inspector

I wouldn't trust a dealer any more than a private seller, unless you're going to get a good warranty out of it. If anyone - dealer or private individual - doesn't want to cooperate with you having your own inspector/surveyor/mechanic take a look at it, that should be a big red flag.