Got the big boat bug. We are seriously looking at '98-2000 34' boats and wonder about surveys. Considering the "newness" what could go wrong? Stupid question?? Love this forum, Glenn
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Ed Schenck
Always.
Just too big an investment Glenn. The $500. survey will give you peace of mind and lower your insurance rate. There was a thread somewhere about surveying a brand new boat. That is the one case where I would not. But many responded that they would.
Just too big an investment Glenn. The $500. survey will give you peace of mind and lower your insurance rate. There was a thread somewhere about surveying a brand new boat. That is the one case where I would not. But many responded that they would.
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Pete
Get the Survey !
Get the survey ! It is well worth the price (you want a pre-purchase survey) and could in fact save you much more then it cost. Unless you are a "expert" in boats and are qualifed to inspect a hull,rigging and other boat systems you should get it surveyed. If you are getting a loan the bank will insist on a survey.Can you inspect a hull for delamination or compression post problems? or a possible soft deck? There is a lot of work to a good boat survey and it will give you a good feel for the condition of the boat.You should make a point to be there for the survey!As far a what could go wrong with the "newness" (4 to 6 years old) the list could be very very long.The bottom line is if you can afford to pay cash and have confidence in your capabilties to inspect all aspects of your new boat don't get the survey, but my gut feeling is to get it !
Get the survey ! It is well worth the price (you want a pre-purchase survey) and could in fact save you much more then it cost. Unless you are a "expert" in boats and are qualifed to inspect a hull,rigging and other boat systems you should get it surveyed. If you are getting a loan the bank will insist on a survey.Can you inspect a hull for delamination or compression post problems? or a possible soft deck? There is a lot of work to a good boat survey and it will give you a good feel for the condition of the boat.You should make a point to be there for the survey!As far a what could go wrong with the "newness" (4 to 6 years old) the list could be very very long.The bottom line is if you can afford to pay cash and have confidence in your capabilties to inspect all aspects of your new boat don't get the survey, but my gut feeling is to get it !
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Jim A
GET THE SURVEY!!!!
There could be any number of problems with the boat! Alao a 34 is not big. Nothing less than 38' is big. 28 to 36 is Mid size!
There could be any number of problems with the boat! Alao a 34 is not big. Nothing less than 38' is big. 28 to 36 is Mid size!
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Terry
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Andrew Brayshaw
Check your survey!
I had my 34 surveyed in Florida before I bought which to be honest proved to be a waste of time and money. I got a nice 16 page report on how many power outlets there are in the cabin and how the woodwork needed refinishing but the surveyor failed to spot the completely worn out cutlass bearing when the boat was out of the water and worse of all stated the boat had a lead keel! I couldnt be there at the survey so I queried it after but was told it definately had a lead keel which made me decide to buy. I lifted the boat a couple of months later to fix the cutlass bearing and found or course a cast iron keel! You will find that a surveyor can make as many mistakes as he likes because the smallprint says its not liable if he does make mistakes. I like the boat so much it doesnt really matter whether the keel is lead or iron but it makes you wonder if a well qualified surveyor can make a mistake like that what else could he miss. I am not suggesting you dont get a survey but I would suggest you are present,ask lots of questions and even point out some of the well known problems you see here on the forums for him to check. Andrew
I had my 34 surveyed in Florida before I bought which to be honest proved to be a waste of time and money. I got a nice 16 page report on how many power outlets there are in the cabin and how the woodwork needed refinishing but the surveyor failed to spot the completely worn out cutlass bearing when the boat was out of the water and worse of all stated the boat had a lead keel! I couldnt be there at the survey so I queried it after but was told it definately had a lead keel which made me decide to buy. I lifted the boat a couple of months later to fix the cutlass bearing and found or course a cast iron keel! You will find that a surveyor can make as many mistakes as he likes because the smallprint says its not liable if he does make mistakes. I like the boat so much it doesnt really matter whether the keel is lead or iron but it makes you wonder if a well qualified surveyor can make a mistake like that what else could he miss. I am not suggesting you dont get a survey but I would suggest you are present,ask lots of questions and even point out some of the well known problems you see here on the forums for him to check. Andrew
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Darrel
Survey, or not to survey?
If you intend to insure the boat you must have a survey. They want a record as to the condition of the boat. Some insurance companies will require a survey every 3 years (even if you have been the owner for those 3 years) if you want replacement cost coverage on the boat itself. Don't think there is anyway around it.
If you intend to insure the boat you must have a survey. They want a record as to the condition of the boat. Some insurance companies will require a survey every 3 years (even if you have been the owner for those 3 years) if you want replacement cost coverage on the boat itself. Don't think there is anyway around it.
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Dan Sheehan AMS
Too many things to list
I am a Marine Surveyor and have seen many problems with new or nearly new boats. Everything from blistering to voids in the deck to misaligned chainplates to improperly installed electrical accessories. It is true that an experienced and knowledgeable boat owner could find many of these problems but not many take the time to check things as completely as a surveyor should. Many of the problems I have seen would have been covered by warranty if they had been discovered and reported within the warranty period. The bottom line is that if you are financing the boat, the lender will require it and most likely the insurance company will as well. And as others have said, do not be afraid to ask questions of the surveyor, before or after the survey is done. I encourage the buyer to be present at the survey but not all surveyors do so ask. Dan Sheehan AMS
I am a Marine Surveyor and have seen many problems with new or nearly new boats. Everything from blistering to voids in the deck to misaligned chainplates to improperly installed electrical accessories. It is true that an experienced and knowledgeable boat owner could find many of these problems but not many take the time to check things as completely as a surveyor should. Many of the problems I have seen would have been covered by warranty if they had been discovered and reported within the warranty period. The bottom line is that if you are financing the boat, the lender will require it and most likely the insurance company will as well. And as others have said, do not be afraid to ask questions of the surveyor, before or after the survey is done. I encourage the buyer to be present at the survey but not all surveyors do so ask. Dan Sheehan AMS
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James
Get It, It will Pay for Itself !
Just bought a 95-336. The surveyor found a bunch of major repair items I would have found out about after things started to fall off. I received the repair cost estimate off the purchase price of the boat. All have been repaired with one thing scheduled for spring. The survey cost X and the repairs were 10X. This document will help you sell the boat later on. Don't buy the boat dock without it.
Just bought a 95-336. The surveyor found a bunch of major repair items I would have found out about after things started to fall off. I received the repair cost estimate off the purchase price of the boat. All have been repaired with one thing scheduled for spring. The survey cost X and the repairs were 10X. This document will help you sell the boat later on. Don't buy the boat dock without it.
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Darrel
Survey, or not to survey II
This is in addition to my original post. Reading Dan Sheehann's post brought this to mind. One really great thing about hiring a surveyor is that they are working for you. He is your partner in determining the condition and value of the boat. You can discuss with him any questions you have, ask him to check anything specific you have concerns about, including the proposed purchase price and he will help determine the boat actual worth.
This is in addition to my original post. Reading Dan Sheehann's post brought this to mind. One really great thing about hiring a surveyor is that they are working for you. He is your partner in determining the condition and value of the boat. You can discuss with him any questions you have, ask him to check anything specific you have concerns about, including the proposed purchase price and he will help determine the boat actual worth.
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Glenn Bollin
Certification for Marine Surveyors
Thanks to all for the good advice, it makes a lot of sense to have the survey. What sort of credentials should one look for when hiring a surveyor? Glenn sv WindWisp 26.5 Hunter
Thanks to all for the good advice, it makes a lot of sense to have the survey. What sort of credentials should one look for when hiring a surveyor? Glenn sv WindWisp 26.5 Hunter
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