Surveyor recommendations for Annapolis, MD

[Franklin]

The broker recommended Steve Sanders so to be safe, I would like to find somebody really good that is not associated with the broker. I only have a few days to get this boat (Tayana 55' Schooner) in shape for a trip to Bahamas without taking the ICW (mast 70' high) so I need a surveyor who can find any little thing wrong with it but especially good at examining hulls, engines and sails. Also needs to be available next wee. Suggestions?

 

[Gunni]

Good luck with your schedule! So, it looks like Sanders is accredited by NAMS but what business in this day and age doesn’t have a website? If it was me getting ready to do what you appear to be planning I would be on the phone begging Steve DiAntonio to drive up from Deltaville and take inspection assessment job, pair him up with your surveyor. Steve will tell you everything about that boat.
http://stevedmarineconsulting.com/

 

[dlochner]

Check Steve's website, he lists his schedule there.

Never take a broker's suggestion for a surveyor. The broker works for the seller and doesn't want to screw up the deal with a poor survey.

Your schedule is ambitious. Sorry I can't help with names.

 

[Franklin]

Check Steve's website, he lists his schedule there.

Never take a broker's suggestion for a surveyor. The broker works for the seller and doesn't want to screw up the deal with a poor survey.

Your schedule is ambitious. Sorry I can't help with names.

Ambitious if the boat is not sea-worthy. I would expect a good surveyor to be able to find major problems. Basically, I need somebody who is good with examming hulls/keel for soft/weak spots and blisters. The rest I can evaluate myself. If the boat is not sea-worthy then I will not buy it.


Edit: I know blisters are not major problem for most, but it is for me. I do not want to have my family living in a boat on the hard for 4 months waiting for the hull to dry out before the repair can be done.

 

[SG]

The boat is out of the water on the hard? Are you planning on having the boat surveyed on the dry, then putting it in the water to check the engine and other systems?


Who's the broker?
Do you have any reasons to be concerned with the status of tbe boat? Is it very clean and in "Bristol shape"?; or, is it reasonable shape? or?

Tomorrow is FRIDAY. What's a "few days", Franklin? Some us could make some calls, but it would be better to know the constraints.
I think you might re-calibrate your schedule a bit.
You aren't going to be leaving for the Bahamas for two or three months.

 

[Franklin]

I am looking at a window of the first week of October to leave.

I think you people are confusing me with a newbie. I am not. I am asking for a recommendation of a surveyor. One with a great reputation. I know the surveyors in Kemah, Tx area, but not MD. I don't need advice on when to leave or my schedule. I know better than you do what I can do and weather windows too. I also have been around long enough to know there are surveyors who are good and filling out paperwork and following a check list and others who really know what they are doing. It is the latter that I am looking for and not some inspection specialist who is going to charge 5K just to get out of bed.

It doesn't matter if the boat is in the water or not, if it is, it will be pulled and fully inspected and then put back in for the sea-trial. My biggest concern is the hull, especially the cored hull having water in it. The guy needs to know how to examin for water intrusion. That is what good surveyors do. Like I said, not looking for a guy to go over a check list.

My schedule is tight due to many reasons including me being on my boat in Fiji now and will not be back in the states until Aug 31 and the need to get it south before it starts getting cold, so November is too late. My wife and I do not like cold weather. I also have a family gathering the last two weeks of Sept so I need the survey and deal finalized before then. That will give me two weeks to get things addressed before harbor hopping down the east coast to Florida, then to Bahamas.

Basically need the survey done before the end of the month but prefer next week. That to me is a few days.

So please, lets not let this thread veer off into anything. Lets stick to the question: looking for a surveyor with great reputation. If you know he is available, that is a bonus.

 

[SG]

so I need a surveyor who can find any little thing wrong with it but especially good at examining hulls, engines and sails.....
I think you people are confusing me with a newbie. I am not.

Franklin,

Maybe you're having a bad day or night, but WTF. Reading your posts can lead to the impression that you are both a newbie, and/or somewhat disorganized. I guess we're all just waiting to serve you...WTF? ;^)))) Start with "I've got a problem and I need your help." Chill-out a bit.

Anyway, in the spirit of helping...

You try can try to give Tarn Kelsey a call. He comes highly recommended by people that know hulls, engines, and sails for decades of being in the business of sailing, owning, operating, and maintaining boats. His mobile number is (410) 353-3822. [I don't know Tarn personally.]

https://www.absolutelyeverythingabout.com/boats/tarn-p-kelsey/ ​

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[Franklin]

Thank you SG. Yes, I was a bit harsh but do not like to be lectured about things I most likely know more about than they do.

I was just asking for local knowledge on surveyors, not advice on how to be a ceuiser. I think I got that base covered.

 

[SG]

My grandfather used to repeat an old saying that, "A wise man learns something every day until the day he dies; and, he knows he will die a dumb man." :^)))

There are only two yards in Annapolis that I think would easily haul a Tayana 50' (Bert Jabin's and Port Annapolis). I think Jabin's is the only one that might have a lift that won't require the fore- or back-stay to be disconnected. An expedited "serious survey" would be something that you desire. I don't know where the existing boat is, what condition it's in, where the broker's agent is, etc. It was you that seem to be in a hurry. [ -- not some inspection specialist who is going to charge 5K just to get out of bed.] A surveyor isn't an insurance or warranty provider -- or magicians. ;^))) You'll need to arrange to have the boat where you need it, in the conditions that will allow the survey to happen in an orderly fashion, etc., etc. But you know all that, of course. You just need to remember what you know. ;^)))) [I'm joshing you a bit.]

Anyway, here's Tarn's info. He was recommended to my by a friend of over a couple of decades who's know him for a long time.

 

[dlochner]

Thank you SG. Yes, I was a bit harsh but do not like to be lectured about things I most likely know more about than they do.

Arrogance is never becoming.

You asked a prime newbie question: "where can I get a competent survey done within a week on my schedule in the middle of the summer season?"

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a duck.

 

[Capt Alan D]

Re: Surveyor in Annapolis- -I recently had my 1999 Beneteau 381 surveyed by Robert Noyce. I found him to be extremely thorough and very good at guiding me, the buyer, in the operation of the equipment/boat. His report was not typical boilerplate but a very thoughtful report with numerous photos. Best of all, Robert took my numerous calls to clarify some issues since I was moving the boat to Newport RI. Over I was very satisfied. His telephone # is 410.703.5380

 

[Franklin]

Thanks to all. I got my guy and we will get it done soon.