GET A GOOD ONE!
Greg: Having just gone through the experience, I discovered there are surveyors for those selling and surveyors for those buying. That may sound obvious and even trite, but you really need to keep that in mind when looking for/interviewing surveyors. In my experience, the new owners of my '85 Hunter31 haven't moved to my area yet and I did a lot of the legwork in finding several surveyors for them to choose (since it was their survey, I didn't want to have too much influence in the choice). We wound up using one that was on the less expensive side, but not one (in retrospect) I would use if I were buying a boat. While he did a fairly good job, he didn't (to my knowledge) even mention a couple defects on the boat that I'd already discussed with the new owners. While "you get what you pay for" isn't necessarily true here, make sure you ask candidates questions as to their experience, areas of expertise, qualifications, etc. I'd also get the names of some of his past clients and give them a call. Don't go with the least expensive guy unless you are convinced he is also worth it! FYI, the price range here in the Southern Chesapeake Bay is from $10-20/foot. From my continued research (I still have to get a surveyor for my new-construction Catalina 400), one in the middle of that price range will do very well for you. If no one in your area has the name of a surveyor, look in the yellow pages under "Marine-surveyors" and then take names from there to your local boat yards and ask around. You'd be amazed what you hear from those folks. Good luck and smooth sailing! Tim Leighton
