How to find a good surveyor

[Frank Gloss]

I have paid for two surveys on two different Catalina 25's when I was looking for mine. One surveyor was more interested in trying to get me to buy the boat, and the major faults were found by me, not the surveyor. My other survey was unbiased and very good.So when one travels out of town to check out a boat, how does someone find a surveyor who is qualified to survey a sailboat, and is unbiased?

 

[bob cameron]

pick a good surveyor

If you are going in cold one way to find a surveyor is to go to the small boat commercial fleet and ask someone with a well maintained boat in the 40 foot range for who they would recommend. I suggest this because the owner with a well maintained boat is most likely to somewhat ship wise and from personal experience commercial boat owners gossip back and forth and compare notes A LOT! (Understatement) They have a good handle on the quality of work available.

 

[Charlie Gruetzner - BeneteauOwners.net]

Picking a good surveyor

Frank,picking a good surveyor is really important. the place to start would be on the SAMS or NAMS websites. To be a member of these national organizations you have to demonstrate that you have a reasonable amount of experience and education. Both these organization requiare 5 years experience to be a full member as well as continuing education classes. Ask aroudn the docks. I get most of my work by word of mouth and reputation. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the surveyors you are talking too. What clases have you taken, how familiar are you with the boat I am considering Feel free to contact me if you have any mnore questions