I just had an offer accepted on a Beneteau 331 and am looking for recommendations for a surveyor in the San Francisco area. The boat is near Oakland.
Marine Surveyor in San Francisco Bay Area
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Randall B Sharpe of Sharpe Surveying and Consulting performed the survey for the purchase of my 1980 Hunter in Alameda three years ago. Having dug into most of the systems and construction elements since then, I would say that his survey was thorough. He picked up on almost everything that needed attention ... and items that he deemed in good condition have been. He took about 4 hours to do the survey and was ok with me looking over his shoulder while he commented about what it was he was looking at. He didn't seem to mind my questions. He did look around the diesel engine and start it up. But this wasn't his strong point and he didn't highlight several items that I later discovered. (Minor stuff ... the engine has been operating flawlessly). Anyway since then, I read that having a diesel expert assess the condition of the engine is a prudent thing to do as a condition of a purchase. Also, Randy could only assess the standing rigging from the vantage point of the deck. (Not an issue in my case since the broker had an invoice evidencing the standing rigging was replaced two years before ... and the boat had been on the hard for sale and not used for most of the time since then).
I don't have any references from other customers of his. Here is the link to his website: http://sharpesurveying.com/
Good luck completing the purchase.
I don't have any references from other customers of his. Here is the link to his website: http://sharpesurveying.com/
Good luck completing the purchase.
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Steve Wedlock
http://www.norcalmarinesurveyors.com/
I've known him for decades since I designed this ship for him.
He had the license to be master of it as well. Unfortunately, the program was canceled before it could be built.
Say hello for me.
http://www.norcalmarinesurveyors.com/
I've known him for decades since I designed this ship for him.
He had the license to be master of it as well. Unfortunately, the program was canceled before it could be built.
Say hello for me.
SURVEYOR
Company: Worldwide Marine Surveys, Ltd. Address: 351 Embarcadero
Contact: Peter Minkwitz
Phone: 510-465-2527 Ext: CC: 1
Title: City: Oakland
Sec: State: CA
Dear: Peter Zip Code: 94606
Peter is an absolute professional. He was the director of Svendsen's boat yard in Alameda for many years. He surveyed two C34s for me, the one we chose NOT to purchase (thanks to Peter's survey), and Aquavite. Peter is familiar with C34s and has copies of much of the earlier (1998) on-line website material, which he asked me to copy for him to further his knowledge of our specific models. Highly recommended. His written surveys are very thorough, and include his recommendations for work that needs to be accomplished. He doesn't do engine surveys, so that is something, as always, you need to consider separately. I know of no one else in the Bay area who will provide the information needed in a REAL survey (as opposed to only an inventory survey) in such a concise and useful manner.
Company: Worldwide Marine Surveys, Ltd. Address: 351 Embarcadero
Contact: Peter Minkwitz
Phone: 510-465-2527 Ext: CC: 1
Title: City: Oakland
Sec: State: CA
Dear: Peter Zip Code: 94606
Peter is an absolute professional. He was the director of Svendsen's boat yard in Alameda for many years. He surveyed two C34s for me, the one we chose NOT to purchase (thanks to Peter's survey), and Aquavite. Peter is familiar with C34s and has copies of much of the earlier (1998) on-line website material, which he asked me to copy for him to further his knowledge of our specific models. Highly recommended. His written surveys are very thorough, and include his recommendations for work that needs to be accomplished. He doesn't do engine surveys, so that is something, as always, you need to consider separately. I know of no one else in the Bay area who will provide the information needed in a REAL survey (as opposed to only an inventory survey) in such a concise and useful manner.
Steve Wedlock was highly referred to me when I purchased my boat several years ago. He was available and I used him. I was quite impressed by Steve and highly recommend him. Best of luck with your purchase.
Rogers and Associates
Captian Joseph Rogers is located in Santa Cruz but works throughout the San Francisco Bay area. He surveyed my Beneteau 331 when I bought her six years ago. Captian Joe is very knowlegable and thorough. He is the only surveyor that I know of who actually goes up the mast as part of the survey.
I have put 5,000 miles under the keel of ITZAYANA in the six years that I have owned her. She is a great little cruiser. I have never regretted my choice. Good luck. Liam.
Captian Joseph Rogers is located in Santa Cruz but works throughout the San Francisco Bay area. He surveyed my Beneteau 331 when I bought her six years ago. Captian Joe is very knowlegable and thorough. He is the only surveyor that I know of who actually goes up the mast as part of the survey.
I have put 5,000 miles under the keel of ITZAYANA in the six years that I have owned her. She is a great little cruiser. I have never regretted my choice. Good luck. Liam.
Wedlock?
I used one of Wedlock's associates for the survey of my first boat (a C 30) and it was the most unprofessional job I've ever seen. In the first place, the guy knew the seller and actually commented to him that he was selling the boat too cheaply - despite the fact that he was working for me, not the seller. Then he rushed through the survey (because he had another appointment) and missed several important items such as the fact that both the shifter and the throttle cables had nearly rotted all the way through. (All he needed to do was lift up one of the boards in the sole to look at it.) He claimed to have checked the engine, but the oil was so overfull that had we not checked it before starting we could have caused serious damage. In fact, he listed the engine as being gas powered when it was diesel. Wedlock, in the end, was so embarrassed that he refunded me half of the fee I'd paid, but I'd have much rather had a decent survey done in the first place. I certainly wouldn't use the services of his company again. On the other hand, I've heard very good things about Minkwitz.
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