Surveyors

[1Moredrift]

I hvae been dealing with water in my bilge for the last two years and cannot seem to find the source. I am fairly certain it is not rain water, but sea water. <br /><br />I am wondering if a good surveyor would be able to find the problem and maybe even fix the problem? What would a surveyor charge to go over a 24 ft boat and would they be able to identify the problems? Do they have any special equipment? <br /><br />I love the boat but I don't have the time or the ability to find the source of this water. Any help is appreciated.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Surveyors

You can think of marine surveyors as insurance adjusters without the insurance company.<br /><br />A good surveyor will require the boat be out of the water so the entire hull can be inspected. Don’t know how you find a leak when you are out of the water. Many know the wheres and hows of boat repair and can advise you on appropriate repairs, but they do not do actual repairs themselves…at least not as part of the survey. But if you don’t know the source of the water it is unlikely the surveyor will know anything beyond the obvious; thru-hull fittings, out drive seals, shaft packing, etc. stuff you already know. In my locale I budget $320 for a survey.<br /><br />You may be better off with a good boat yard. Ask around marinas and yacht clubs for referrals. Check with a 2 or 3 different yards and compare prices, services, warranty of the work they do, etc. Also know that a boat yard that does quality work and is solvent may well give you a repair estimate AND advice on how to do the repairs yourself, should you want to do that. Boat yards can be an excellent resource for free how-to. I think they know they will eventually get your $$$ on some major repair.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Surveyors

I think 18Rabbit has a good idea. In some areas, all someone has to do to be a marine surveyor is to say he is one. Unless I could get some good references on an individual surveyor's past performance, the boatyard route may be the way to go. Just determine in advance exactly what their practice in fees. etc. will be. Expect to pay for the exam since that's their livlihood and it's only fair.