survey's

[Don Crowther]

I've got a quick question. I've searched the archives for information on getting a survey done. I've never had one done.Can anyone tell me do they charge by the foot or flat rate. Do most of the boatyards have a list? Is there a master list somewhere (ie; the web)? What will a survey cover, just apperance or over all condition of the boat? will an appraised value be included or just the things that are wrong with the boat? OK so maybe it wasn't a quick question. Maybe someone could point me in the right direction. Does anyone know someone in the Chicago area or recomend somebody?ThanksDon

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Don, around these parts they charge...

by the foot. Prospective buyers normally pay for the survey after the Sales Contract including contingencies has been signed with a deposit and the minimum should be a below the waterline and above thorough hull inspection including a moisture meter. Hire a board certified marine hull surveyor with credentials. These surveyors normally are not engine or rigging experts. These require a separate skill set and certification, although the hull surveyor should have a good eye as to whether there is a problem.If the boat passes an above the waterline inspection, the surveyor will proceed to have the boat hauled, power washed and a below the waterline inspection. Our boat took the entire day and included a comprehensive write up of the boat's systems, equipment and hardware configuration, problem areas if any, a market valuation of the boat and overall condition. These become pointers for further negotiations.Our local marina gave me a recommendation of surveyors, which I vetted with some local boaters to come up with the best of the list. I was very satisfied with his work on our first boat and used him again on our current boat. Make sure the surveyor looks at and tests all systems; anchoring, heating, cooling, sanitation, potable water, AC and DC electrical, propulsion, steering, etc. Terry

 

[Richard]

best dollar you will ever spend

(1)In Maine it usually is by the foot. (2)What ever you do... don't use a Surveyor from a list at the yard that is brokering the boat. Ask around many different boatyards or even on the dock... some common names will surface on who to use and not use. (3)Make sure they are SAMS or NAMS accredited. (4)There has got to be alist on the web... Google man. (5)Survey is from top to bottom (out of the water hull banging)and will be a range of market value "as is... where is". It is a bunch of boilerplate with items that should be attended to or fixed. It will not include how much to fix the items... take what you think and multiply times five.(6)Escrow money for the engine if you aren't doing a sea-trial. (7)I would suggest finding the make/model you like and search the area (yachtworld.com); look at a half a dozen prospects; find the boat you want and get a surveyor down there to take a peek. He will need to look at it out of the water... and in the water to check out all the systems. If you are really interested after that... get a mechanic down there to look at the engine. Offer them 25% less then there asking. Good luck. And by the way... it won't be the first boat you have surveyed... however it is a good time of year to buy!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

surveyors

You can find a list of certified surveyors by geographic location by doing a google search for NAMS or SAMS which are the two organizations of surveyors in the U.S. Before contracting with one, feel free to ask his/her familiarity with the boat you are interesed in as many surveyors specialize in certain type boats. As Terry said, they typically charge by the foot.Plan on being there when the survey is done - great source of education and surveyors are often happy to have the prospective buyer around plus you can find out more by talking than just reading their report.One caution - to state the obvious - don't accept either the yard or the owner's or broker's suggestion for a surveyor as they may all be biased and influence the surveyor's objectivity.

 

[CalebD]

Surveys and Surveyors

If you have never had your boat surveyed you have probably never had insurance on your boat. That said, there are different types of surveys that can be performed. In order to get an insurance carrier to accept a yacht policy they will require one type of survey which merely indicates that your boat is seaworthy for the intended use of that boat. Deficiencies will be noted on the survey report and if there are many it may be difficult to obtain coverage. I believe that this type of survey is known as a C&V survey (condition and valuation).When prospective buyers want to buy a boat they should (but dont always) get a more rigorous survey that may find weaknesses in the boats systems that can be used to bargain down the price. We paid around $350 for a C&V survey on our 27' sailboat, and yes, it was by the foot.To find a surveyor on the web go to the SAMS and NAMS websites and they both have lists of accredited surveyors by region. Otherwise, ask around.As previously noted you should try to be there when the surveyor looks at your boat although I never have. You can learn a lot by being present. You will get a written report from your surveyor that will tell you about most of the things they inspected but it is nice to know what they did not inspect.Another kind of survey involves a damage claim you file. The surveyor will attempt to determine the cause of the damage that will or will not be covered by your insurance. The fine print on any insurance policy can get a little gnarly.

 

[camaraderie]

here's a link...

...to a rather complete site about surveys.http://www.sailboatsurveys.com/survey-report.htmlLet me second Don's comment...never use the broker or yard recommended surveyor.

 

[Big Windy]

Surveyor

$14 a foot in Dallas three years ago. Follow the surveyor around with a notebook. Ask lots of questions and take lots of notes, it will be a great learning experience. I also carried a black magic marker...when he said "this is the "XXX", if it was not out in the open, I wrote "XXX" on the object.

 

[Napa Ed]

Educational

What Big Windy said; "it will be a great learning experience". My marina required one before I could bring my boat back from the boatyard (over 20 years age). $12/ft on the hard with everything cleaned out and all areas accessible. It was good to get the perspective of someone who's seen a lot of different boats. Your surveyor should be willing to answer all your questions.

 

[Don Crowther]

Lot of Help !!!

I know that there will be more info coming in. And I want to take this time to thank you all for responding to this post. I'm still looking for the right boat! But now I feel that I can honestly justify the expence of getting a certified survey done. Up until now I was sitting on the fence. The biggest problem I see is that we live so far away any large urban area's. There are not many sailboats on or forsale this part of Canada. So this means either I have to just have the survey sent to me or try to get time off work to travel (another added expense) In a perfect world it would be nice to find a boat and then get the survey done. anyway thanks to you all for the info and keep it coming in because i'm sure i'm not the only one reading this post.Don future owner of a catalania (31 or ?)

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

pre-survey inspection

It might be likely you could find someone here just by asking if anyone could do a prelim viewing for you. Even having someone you don't know and who is not a professional surveyor do a first look can often weed out the problem boats long before you invested money in a real survey on a dud. Not that a seller or broker would ever lie but some might not be described as "forthcoming" in their full disclosure.

 

[Don Crowther]

great idea!!!

Don once again you have enlighten me. I never thought about asking someone in the area to do a pre-inspection. What a great idea who else would know the strong points as well as the weak points. I suppose given the right area they might even know the boat in question. Would you post on this gen. site or on a specific site? Sorry about all the questions. I'm kinda new to this web stuff.ThanksDon

 

[Cap'n Ron]

http://www.marinesurvey.org

Don, Harry Swieca has a very good reputation out your way, and he can certainly recommend a reputable surveyor for your type of craft, 847-370-7813boatsurveys@db3broadband.comMr Big Windy is about right, 14/ft at this time of year is purrty close, but some top-notch inspectors charge more, supply and demand.Do follow with pencil and pad, yes!The term "seaworth" is not used in the surveying profession. A Condition and value is always performed when buying a vessel, unless something catastrophic is found in the interim, on sea-trial, an infrastructure inspection reveals a 'deal-killer' etc.Right! Never use a 'Brokers' surveyor we have one in Sausalito who is bought and paid for.I have know folks who contacted a friend or website pal who saved mucho denero by doing a walk-through, can save quite a bit if they are experienced.It is a good idea, essential, to kick a lotta tires before finding a specific yacht to survey; do not 'fall in love' till AFTER the survey.As it gets colder, prices get lower, especially now.