I'm going to be in the Annapolis, Md. area in a few weeks looking at some sailboats for possible purchase. So far, I'm going to see four boats, each of which I'll perform a preliminary inspection on. #1, I'm need the name of a reasonably priced, competent marine surveyor to assist me for the boats that make the final cut. #2, Also, in Maryland and Delaware, are marine surveyors legally and financially liable for the accuracy of their surveys? Thanks all, Seabeau.
Need Marine Surveyor near Annapolis,Md.
- Thread starter seabeau
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Any reason why you are not retaining a buyer's broker to handle this, and many other details of a sale? A surveyor is going to caveat and note that their survey is simply their informed opinion - so the answer is no. A broker will help you write a tight contract to protect you, knows and works with many surveyors, including those that specialize in your desired design. I get the sense you are new to this.
Very new! I'm looking at used boats in the 30 to 35ft. range. All of the boats I've purchased in the past have been locally owned. I've been around boats my whole life and I've always done my own inspections of decks, hulls, rigging, interiors and simple mechanical systems, winches, fittings, outboards, etc.. However, as you know as boats get larger their complexity levels increase. That's why I felt I needed a surveyor. I've traded e-mails and phone calls with two individuals and two of whom I presume to be the sellers brokers. Any additional information you could provide would be a great help. Thank you, Seabeau.
Right, you are going to be spending some real money on this one! So in the trade the brokers rule the roost. I would shop for the broker, get to know him/her and make sure they know exactly what you want, and what you don't want. A good broker can find information that you can't, likely know the seller's broker, brokerage, and the inside-skinny on all. In my opinion the longer a broker has been in the business, the better. My last broker has a colleague in every port, knew how to run a purchase in every state on the eastern seaboard, and stepped me through every task with precision. I can't imagine shopping, evaluating and buying without a buyer's broker. He sorted the good from the bad, and even when I found the boat which we would eventually buy, he handled the squirrel seller with diplomacy. Best of all, his commission came out of the seller brokers commission.
BOAT/US has a directory of accredited surveyors: https://www.boatus.com/insurance/survey.asp. You can search on "N. Chesapeake" and you will find quite a few in the Annapolis area.
I've used Gale Browning of [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hartoft Marine Survey, Ltd, Annapolis. She is very competent and the insurance brokers I know trust and will accept her surveys.
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Gunni: Squirrel seller, I like that one! How do I locate a buyers broker? The Net, Yellow pages? Seabeau.
You start with a boat salesperson you know and trust, preferably close to where you live. Talk to brokers who have been in the business for years selling sailboats. Build a broker relationship based on your boat wish list, and desires. Let the broker know that you are serious, and determine if this is your broker, or just some dude trying to get into your wallet. Good brokers like to sell and they really like to help people buy their dream boat. It is what gets them up in the morning. Take your time, a big boat is like a marriage. Seriously expensive. Good luck, and report out.
i see you are in ga ...i know one that has done 2 surveys for friends of mine here in ga and from what i have seen is seems to be very good i was with him on one he did for a friend of mine for and insurance survey ...he even pointed out that the popoff valve on the hot water heater need and overboard drain pipe because that boat was connected to regulated shore water supply this was on a docked power boat if you like i can give you his email addy
no he is based out of canton ga.......his email addy is mgriffin01@bellsouth.net cell 678.977.8844
sorry i didnt see you needed him in AM that may be to expensive for him to travel that far but he may know of one he can recommend in that area....good luck