What should I reasonably be looking at for the fee here? Is it typically charged by the foot? Boat is on the Hudson, outside NYC.
Pre-purchase Survey Cost
- Thread starter Jimbeaux
- Start date
Jimbeaux,
Cost depends on several variables: Type of boat (sail, trawler,cabin cruiser, etc.), general size range, services to be included (sea trial, rigging inspection, haulout inspection, mechanical inspection, type of written report required, etc)
For example, a pre-purchase/ condition and value survey on a 32’ sailboat would be approximately $750 +/- $250 depending on locale. A friend recently had a survey done on a 34’ PDQ power only catamarran located in MA; cost of the survey was appx $1800.
Cost depends on several variables: Type of boat (sail, trawler,cabin cruiser, etc.), general size range, services to be included (sea trial, rigging inspection, haulout inspection, mechanical inspection, type of written report required, etc)
For example, a pre-purchase/ condition and value survey on a 32’ sailboat would be approximately $750 +/- $250 depending on locale. A friend recently had a survey done on a 34’ PDQ power only catamarran located in MA; cost of the survey was appx $1800.
I agree with the prices others have mentioned... I think our 37' sailboat was around $1000 in the Chesapeake area a couple years back... plus finding a boat yard that will do a "Short Haul" (hauling a boat and holding it out of the water for a mater of hours, not days) which I think cost us an additional $250-$300 if I recall. That gets a bit tricky at some boat yards and marinas this time of year in places where they're busy using their equipment and space for seasonal hauling of their regular customers... kind of like asking a favor of a tax prep guy in early April... so it can be challenging scheduling a time/day that is good for you, the surveyor, the marina, and likely the previous owner. Any decent survey will be done partially while hauled, and partially while in the water. If possible, I"d say it is very preferable (though not mandatory) to have the P.O. aboard to share any wisdom he (or she) has accumulated about the boat. Good luck!
A Survey is Proprieitery, meaning that you pay you own it and the surveyer works for you!
We spent $600.00 for the survey on our 310.
It was worth every $ spent and in fact we got more than our money spent back in what our guy found and had fixed on our behalf at no cost to us. Let alone peace of mind....
We would do it again in a minute!
We spent $600.00 for the survey on our 310.
It was worth every $ spent and in fact we got more than our money spent back in what our guy found and had fixed on our behalf at no cost to us. Let alone peace of mind....
We would do it again in a minute!
Survey cost for my last 4 boats were charged on a fixed price all around $1000 - $1200 depending on the surveyor. Below is what I paid last December for my 2005 Hunter 46.
Inspection and report – standard charge $1,058.00
Test sail $35.00
Inspection and report – standard charge $1,058.00
Test sail $35.00
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,746
I am in favor of surveys on a new to you boat.
That said, in my opinion, they are a glimpse in time. Better in value if you have no knowledge of boats and you are looking at spending serious cash on a boat purchase. Serious cash is dependent on the person involved.
Spending a $1000 on a survey when you are buying a $3000 - $5000 boat could be considered a marginal decision. While that same $1000 in a $30000 plus transaction could have real value to the buyer.
It is likely that a competent survey will help with valuation of the boat. It will point out glaring and sometimes hidden issues, if you have experience and know where to look, that affect the boat value. It will likely not identify all of the conditions and will possibly identify elements of the boat that function within norms but fail within a couple of months after the purchase.
As is the case with all things boat.. do the best you can and be ready to shell out boat bucks to keep your mistress happy.
That said, in my opinion, they are a glimpse in time. Better in value if you have no knowledge of boats and you are looking at spending serious cash on a boat purchase. Serious cash is dependent on the person involved.
Spending a $1000 on a survey when you are buying a $3000 - $5000 boat could be considered a marginal decision. While that same $1000 in a $30000 plus transaction could have real value to the buyer.
It is likely that a competent survey will help with valuation of the boat. It will point out glaring and sometimes hidden issues, if you have experience and know where to look, that affect the boat value. It will likely not identify all of the conditions and will possibly identify elements of the boat that function within norms but fail within a couple of months after the purchase.
As is the case with all things boat.. do the best you can and be ready to shell out boat bucks to keep your mistress happy.
Well now here’s another question...if the boat is on the hard and snugged up shall we say, whose responsibility is it to step mast, rig and otherwise set up for sea trial?
A survey is a good idea, especially for a bigger boat (bigger investment).
I have purchased a few boats, and had surveys on both. But for the last one, I had the boat hauled just to do a below water survey (keel, hull, prop, shaft, etc.).
The more you know about what to look for, the better you can make sure the survey covers the things you have concerns about. I have yet to have a surveyor find something, but it is the one time he does that the survey is worth it.
Greg
I have purchased a few boats, and had surveys on both. But for the last one, I had the boat hauled just to do a below water survey (keel, hull, prop, shaft, etc.).
The more you know about what to look for, the better you can make sure the survey covers the things you have concerns about. I have yet to have a surveyor find something, but it is the one time he does that the survey is worth it.
Greg
our boat was in the water and it was pulled than a cutlass bearing replaced as the surveyor went over the boat, than put back in to sea trial, all cost born by the owner/seller.
I guess if you REALLY want to sell the boat....
I guess if you REALLY want to sell the boat....
Negotiable between you and seller. Generally this expense falls on the buyer, but you might get this partially covered by seller if he wants to get the deal done. Normally the owner wouldn't permit a sea trial until there is a signed contract and deposit, and the deal is contingent on the sea trial.
There was a good thread on surveys a few weeks ago that might be worth checking out Question about survey/Inspection
I just paid $786 for a pre-purchase survey on a 36 foot boat but I'm sure it is somewhat region dependent. The boat was in the water and I paid to have it hauled for the out of water portion.
I did have a contract with the seller before going for the sea trial but the boat was already in the water ready to go so no additional costs and the seller didn't mind having an excuse to get out on the water.
I just paid $786 for a pre-purchase survey on a 36 foot boat but I'm sure it is somewhat region dependent. The boat was in the water and I paid to have it hauled for the out of water portion.
I did have a contract with the seller before going for the sea trial but the boat was already in the water ready to go so no additional costs and the seller didn't mind having an excuse to get out on the water.