I'm interested in getting a survey on a 1984 O'day 26. I've never had one done before. What is the average price for a survey on a boat of that size? I just want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off. Thanks
Price of a survey
- Thread starter Mike8088
- Start date
- Status
per foot plus lift fees
I paid about $12.oo a foot plus 200 to lift the boat out of the water for the dry survey. That was 5 years ago and the boat was in the water. I had another partly done but the owner defaulted as he could not get the engine running for the sea trial. I had to pay the land part so the surveyor charged me half.
I paid about $12.oo a foot plus 200 to lift the boat out of the water for the dry survey. That was 5 years ago and the boat was in the water. I had another partly done but the owner defaulted as he could not get the engine running for the sea trial. I had to pay the land part so the surveyor charged me half.
The cost of a survey...
often depends on the type of survey you want, the type of boat to be surveyed, and the distance the surveyor must travel to get to the boat. I've found that surveyors along the east coast may charge anywhere between $10 to over $30 per foot for the "average" pre-purchase survey,plus expenses. That may, or may not, include the cost of joining you for a sea trial (a must, IMHO) and or going up the mast to take a look at how things are at the masthead. Some surveyors are qualified to inspect your engine, others are not. I recommend talking to other boat owners, particularly ones with the same boat you may be buying, to get a recommendation for a "qualified" surveyor. You need to interview a potential surveyor to make sure you are both on the same page about what he can or will do and what he cannot do -- and how much that may cost. You also want a surveryor who has surveyed your type of boat before and you can ask to see copies of those surveys. You do not want a surveyor who is surveying your type of boat for the first time. Finally, there are a number of organizations that "certify" sureyors (i.e., NAMS, SAMS, etc.). While it is preferable for a surveyor to be a member of one of these organizations, being a member should not be construed to mean he is qualified. There are currently no national standards for a person to call him/herself a "surveyor." You've got to do your homework about a surveyor you plan to hire just like the research you do on your next potential boat. Good luck with this. An afterthought: always join the surveyor when he is doing your survey. Ask him questions about every finding he uncovers. You'll learn a lot. Afterthought II: you should do your own "survey" of the boat before the surveyor does his. Get a copy of Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" to get some ideas for what to look for. Then compare notes with what the surveyor finds.
often depends on the type of survey you want, the type of boat to be surveyed, and the distance the surveyor must travel to get to the boat. I've found that surveyors along the east coast may charge anywhere between $10 to over $30 per foot for the "average" pre-purchase survey,plus expenses. That may, or may not, include the cost of joining you for a sea trial (a must, IMHO) and or going up the mast to take a look at how things are at the masthead. Some surveyors are qualified to inspect your engine, others are not. I recommend talking to other boat owners, particularly ones with the same boat you may be buying, to get a recommendation for a "qualified" surveyor. You need to interview a potential surveyor to make sure you are both on the same page about what he can or will do and what he cannot do -- and how much that may cost. You also want a surveryor who has surveyed your type of boat before and you can ask to see copies of those surveys. You do not want a surveyor who is surveying your type of boat for the first time. Finally, there are a number of organizations that "certify" sureyors (i.e., NAMS, SAMS, etc.). While it is preferable for a surveyor to be a member of one of these organizations, being a member should not be construed to mean he is qualified. There are currently no national standards for a person to call him/herself a "surveyor." You've got to do your homework about a surveyor you plan to hire just like the research you do on your next potential boat. Good luck with this. An afterthought: always join the surveyor when he is doing your survey. Ask him questions about every finding he uncovers. You'll learn a lot. Afterthought II: you should do your own "survey" of the boat before the surveyor does his. Get a copy of Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" to get some ideas for what to look for. Then compare notes with what the surveyor finds.
Ask around
I suggest posting here and someplace like sailnet.com for suggestions. Tell us where the boat is and maybe someone has a recommendation. I recently paid $18 per foot without a seatrial. The price with the seatrial was $23 per foot, but that option was not available to me because the water at the marina was frozen. The survey lasted about 4 hours and I got a 30-page written report a few days later.
I suggest posting here and someplace like sailnet.com for suggestions. Tell us where the boat is and maybe someone has a recommendation. I recently paid $18 per foot without a seatrial. The price with the seatrial was $23 per foot, but that option was not available to me because the water at the marina was frozen. The survey lasted about 4 hours and I got a 30-page written report a few days later.
H26 Survey Cost
Prior to purchase had my 1995 H-26 - a trailerable sailboat - surveyed by a "NAVTECH" "US SURVEYORS ASSOCIATION" "MMS" Independent Master Marine Surveyor. Boat was out of water on trailer located in North Idaho. Cost was $350. Received two hard copies and an electronic copy of 15 page report with color photos documenting commented on areas. Electronic copy is great for communicating with insurance folks. Accompanied Surveyor during inspection(about 3 hours) and learned lots about NTM boat. I was really impressed with the use of an "electrophysics moisture meter" which looked for soft spots in the cored areas of the hull & deck. Also got CD with all the photos taken. Worth every penney!-gave me a repair checklist and especially since it convinced the Admiral it was a good buy of a sound boat. Mike T.
Prior to purchase had my 1995 H-26 - a trailerable sailboat - surveyed by a "NAVTECH" "US SURVEYORS ASSOCIATION" "MMS" Independent Master Marine Surveyor. Boat was out of water on trailer located in North Idaho. Cost was $350. Received two hard copies and an electronic copy of 15 page report with color photos documenting commented on areas. Electronic copy is great for communicating with insurance folks. Accompanied Surveyor during inspection(about 3 hours) and learned lots about NTM boat. I was really impressed with the use of an "electrophysics moisture meter" which looked for soft spots in the cored areas of the hull & deck. Also got CD with all the photos taken. Worth every penney!-gave me a repair checklist and especially since it convinced the Admiral it was a good buy of a sound boat. Mike T.
Survey
My survey was $13 per foot. It depends on where you are located. I've heard of surveys on the east coast as high as $28 per foot. Talk to people at marinas in your area as to who does a good job on their surveys. I asked the marina if they had a list of surveyors in the area and they provided me with a list of five. I didn't use any on their list but when I told them who I had hired, they said "If there's anything wrong with the boat, he will find it". I was very happy with his work and how thorough he was. I'd give you his name, but I think he only works about 100 mile radius of the Chicago area. He does have an informativre web site though. Check the link below.
My survey was $13 per foot. It depends on where you are located. I've heard of surveys on the east coast as high as $28 per foot. Talk to people at marinas in your area as to who does a good job on their surveys. I asked the marina if they had a list of surveyors in the area and they provided me with a list of five. I didn't use any on their list but when I told them who I had hired, they said "If there's anything wrong with the boat, he will find it". I was very happy with his work and how thorough he was. I'd give you his name, but I think he only works about 100 mile radius of the Chicago area. He does have an informativre web site though. Check the link below.
Mike
Check out the Boat U.S web site, they have many accredited surveyors listed, for all areas of the country. I had a valuation, and condition survey done in September 06', and it ran around $380.00. It was very informative, and the digital pictures can be very useful when dealing with insurance companies. Good Luck John s/v Sanctuary II
Check out the Boat U.S web site, they have many accredited surveyors listed, for all areas of the country. I had a valuation, and condition survey done in September 06', and it ran around $380.00. It was very informative, and the digital pictures can be very useful when dealing with insurance companies. Good Luck John s/v Sanctuary II
Hi Mike, just some added information...
A quality survey should consist of two parts; hull above the waterline and below. Our surveyor did the above the waterline first to qualify the boat for a haul out to do the below part. The haul out is paid for by the prospective buyer so you want to make sure everything is okay above before you proceed. Most quality marine surveyors will only do the hull part of the boat (top side and below the waterline) for purposes of integrity. They look for water intrusion, blister damage, rot, etc. Standing rigging, propulsion engine, etc. normally are done by surveyors that specialize in these systems. Terry
A quality survey should consist of two parts; hull above the waterline and below. Our surveyor did the above the waterline first to qualify the boat for a haul out to do the below part. The haul out is paid for by the prospective buyer so you want to make sure everything is okay above before you proceed. Most quality marine surveyors will only do the hull part of the boat (top side and below the waterline) for purposes of integrity. They look for water intrusion, blister damage, rot, etc. Standing rigging, propulsion engine, etc. normally are done by surveyors that specialize in these systems. Terry
Two types of surveys...
Generally speaking, there are 2 types of surveys. The first type is usually referred to as a 'valuation survey'. This is usually a quickie, normally while the boat is still in the water and primarily for the aquisition of insurance. This should cost between $10 to $12 per foot. The second most common type is usually referred to as a 'Pre-purchase' survey. This is usually very detailed, and normally paid for by the prospective owner. It normally includes rigging and a sea trial on the way to a yard to have the boat hauled out of the water for a good check under the waterline. It is usually about 2X the cost of a valuation survey plus the haul out cost. Usually when you get to the $20K price range or more for the boat, the survey cost will be worth its own cost, because the surveyor will always find a few things wrong with the boat and the broker will usually get the present owner to fix it prior to purchase. I have never had a survey performed on any boat that i paid less than $6K. Usually, a good broker or a knowledgeable friend will help in determining the condition of the boat. Thats a decision we have to make on our own.
Generally speaking, there are 2 types of surveys. The first type is usually referred to as a 'valuation survey'. This is usually a quickie, normally while the boat is still in the water and primarily for the aquisition of insurance. This should cost between $10 to $12 per foot. The second most common type is usually referred to as a 'Pre-purchase' survey. This is usually very detailed, and normally paid for by the prospective owner. It normally includes rigging and a sea trial on the way to a yard to have the boat hauled out of the water for a good check under the waterline. It is usually about 2X the cost of a valuation survey plus the haul out cost. Usually when you get to the $20K price range or more for the boat, the survey cost will be worth its own cost, because the surveyor will always find a few things wrong with the boat and the broker will usually get the present owner to fix it prior to purchase. I have never had a survey performed on any boat that i paid less than $6K. Usually, a good broker or a knowledgeable friend will help in determining the condition of the boat. Thats a decision we have to make on our own.
Survey in RI
Hello, This past November, in Newport RI, I had a boat surveyed by Barnaby Blatch of Atlantic Marine Survey http://www.marinesurveyor.com/atlantic/ His price is $16 / foot for up to 29 ft. This is for a pre purchase survey and does include a sea trial, and a trip up the mast. IMHO, Barnaby did a great job and I am happy to recommend him. Good luck, Barry
Hello, This past November, in Newport RI, I had a boat surveyed by Barnaby Blatch of Atlantic Marine Survey http://www.marinesurveyor.com/atlantic/ His price is $16 / foot for up to 29 ft. This is for a pre purchase survey and does include a sea trial, and a trip up the mast. IMHO, Barnaby did a great job and I am happy to recommend him. Good luck, Barry
Thanks
Thanks for the responses. I'm looking for a survey to get insurance. The boat is located in R.I. We've already sailed it for a summer, so we know it floats. That's a good start, right? Anyway, it's on the hard now. If we need a below-the-waterline survey, it would be a good time to do it. Again, thanks for the help.
Thanks for the responses. I'm looking for a survey to get insurance. The boat is located in R.I. We've already sailed it for a summer, so we know it floats. That's a good start, right? Anyway, it's on the hard now. If we need a below-the-waterline survey, it would be a good time to do it. Again, thanks for the help.
- Status