Does anyone have an opinion as to when not to have a survey completed on a used boat that one is buying? Would you always pay to have a suvey done?
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Michael Pilar
Yes!!!!
Unless of course you're a trained and certified surveyor and know everything there is to look for. -Mike
Unless of course you're a trained and certified surveyor and know everything there is to look for. -Mike
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Jim Walsh
Absolutely!!
I agree with the previous posting... would you buy a house without a house inspection?! I just bought my first boat this spring, a 1984 C27. My surveyor spent about 5-1/2 hours with me. At his insistance, I "shadowed" him, and I learned a great deal about the boat, I took five pages of notes, then rec'd 12 page report from him...to me it was worth the $12/foot I paid him. Best of Luck.
I agree with the previous posting... would you buy a house without a house inspection?! I just bought my first boat this spring, a 1984 C27. My surveyor spent about 5-1/2 hours with me. At his insistance, I "shadowed" him, and I learned a great deal about the boat, I took five pages of notes, then rec'd 12 page report from him...to me it was worth the $12/foot I paid him. Best of Luck.
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gary
new boats too
I bougt a new c 400. If had it to do again, I would have it survey befor I got the boat.
I bougt a new c 400. If had it to do again, I would have it survey befor I got the boat.
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Richard
depends....
I did not have a survey on either of my two catalinas. I did have my 27 hauled and look at the bottom and go over it a bit with the yard that hauled it as well as the sales guy. I was a bit naieve then and got lucky. On my 30 I also did not have a survey. The guy had all the yard doccuments since he did none of the work himself. It included an epoxy bottom job and a complete motor rebuild. I dove on the bottom myself and did a good look around the boat. I missed one or two things that have ended up costing me around 500.00, but I doubt the surveyer would have found them either. I basically depends upon the price of the boat and the overall condition as well as your experience. If the price is at the low end no matter whay the surveyer finds you will not get the price down. I agree if you are not a boat 'expert' then get one for sure just to make sure you are not buying a big money pit instead of a little money pit.
I did not have a survey on either of my two catalinas. I did have my 27 hauled and look at the bottom and go over it a bit with the yard that hauled it as well as the sales guy. I was a bit naieve then and got lucky. On my 30 I also did not have a survey. The guy had all the yard doccuments since he did none of the work himself. It included an epoxy bottom job and a complete motor rebuild. I dove on the bottom myself and did a good look around the boat. I missed one or two things that have ended up costing me around 500.00, but I doubt the surveyer would have found them either. I basically depends upon the price of the boat and the overall condition as well as your experience. If the price is at the low end no matter whay the surveyer finds you will not get the price down. I agree if you are not a boat 'expert' then get one for sure just to make sure you are not buying a big money pit instead of a little money pit.
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LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina
I should hang my head in shame
but I didn't have a professional survey done. I found my '73 C27 for an extremely low price so I checked out some books from the library, did some research on the internet & surveyed her myself. She had an outboard that was in sad shape which I knew I'd replace. All the sails were in relatively decent condition, all the thru hulls were sound, I knew there were a multitude of small blisters and the head & fresh water systems were newly installed. There was no compression at the mast step, no delamination on deck, but she certainly had a few leaks. For the amount I paid, she would have to have been sunk to not make her worth buying. If she'd had an inboard (which I know absolutely nothing about) or any more intricate systems, or if I was shelling out a huge chunk of change, I'd definitely get a survey. LaDonna
but I didn't have a professional survey done. I found my '73 C27 for an extremely low price so I checked out some books from the library, did some research on the internet & surveyed her myself. She had an outboard that was in sad shape which I knew I'd replace. All the sails were in relatively decent condition, all the thru hulls were sound, I knew there were a multitude of small blisters and the head & fresh water systems were newly installed. There was no compression at the mast step, no delamination on deck, but she certainly had a few leaks. For the amount I paid, she would have to have been sunk to not make her worth buying. If she'd had an inboard (which I know absolutely nothing about) or any more intricate systems, or if I was shelling out a huge chunk of change, I'd definitely get a survey. LaDonna
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Brad Elbein
Survey--Si!
We've all done stupid things. I count several costly and expensive mistakes I've made--a certain used Mercedes, a particular house, a job or two. However, given that there is so little about sailing and life that we can control, I believe that for myself it would be criminally negligent not to have a survey. Why choose ignorance? When I bought my C30, I got a survey, and as an added bonus, I also got a great deal of excellent practical advice from the surveyor. It was money well spent. (And by the way, I think that almost every insurer will require it.)
We've all done stupid things. I count several costly and expensive mistakes I've made--a certain used Mercedes, a particular house, a job or two. However, given that there is so little about sailing and life that we can control, I believe that for myself it would be criminally negligent not to have a survey. Why choose ignorance? When I bought my C30, I got a survey, and as an added bonus, I also got a great deal of excellent practical advice from the surveyor. It was money well spent. (And by the way, I think that almost every insurer will require it.)
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jkleid@bestweb.net
but of course
although i bought my 4th boat this past spring, and although it's a 22 catalina, and although it's an 88 from the origional owner, and although EVERYTHING is origional and LOOKED in excellent condition, the survey not only enlightened me, but also gave me leverage in getting a better price
although i bought my 4th boat this past spring, and although it's a 22 catalina, and although it's an 88 from the origional owner, and although EVERYTHING is origional and LOOKED in excellent condition, the survey not only enlightened me, but also gave me leverage in getting a better price
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Gary
survey
Would I now pay for a survey? NO....Would I pay for a survey if I did not know what to look for YES! but that is tied to 20 years of ownership and my background.....Gary
Would I now pay for a survey? NO....Would I pay for a survey if I did not know what to look for YES! but that is tied to 20 years of ownership and my background.....Gary
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Mike Hagerman
Why Not?
Though I'm can't quote one, I'll bet even surveyors get a survey when they buy a boat. Remember the old adage: You get what you pay for. To paraphrase another old adage, "survey-wise and big bucks foolish!" Though I just bought my 1st Catalina, they seem to have enough gremlins that a survey is well worth the money especially if it is a used boat. I DIDn't have a survey on my 1977 C30 because I work with the seller. (He'll probably live to regret selling it to me...) I've had some major engine problems that cost almost $1000 but that was after a long coastal passage and I doubt that the surveyor would have caught something like that. I did have to pay for an insurance survey and was gratified to know my remaining "problems" (the obvious ones) are minor.
Though I'm can't quote one, I'll bet even surveyors get a survey when they buy a boat. Remember the old adage: You get what you pay for. To paraphrase another old adage, "survey-wise and big bucks foolish!" Though I just bought my 1st Catalina, they seem to have enough gremlins that a survey is well worth the money especially if it is a used boat. I DIDn't have a survey on my 1977 C30 because I work with the seller. (He'll probably live to regret selling it to me...) I've had some major engine problems that cost almost $1000 but that was after a long coastal passage and I doubt that the surveyor would have caught something like that. I did have to pay for an insurance survey and was gratified to know my remaining "problems" (the obvious ones) are minor.
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Steve
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Mark Gale
Nuts not to
Unless you are buying a distressed boat for a distressed price, have a survey. It won't catch everything, but a good surveyor probably has done other boats like yours. My guy gave me lots of insight. It also helps in documenting the boat for insurance and is a good tool to use when you sell the boat.
Unless you are buying a distressed boat for a distressed price, have a survey. It won't catch everything, but a good surveyor probably has done other boats like yours. My guy gave me lots of insight. It also helps in documenting the boat for insurance and is a good tool to use when you sell the boat.
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Mack
I got a survey . .
...and it was well worth it, if just for the knowledge gained. My surveyor was a young man who grew up around boats, went to school to become a surveyor, etc., etc. and was very good (also very reasonably priced in comparison to others). The surveyor pointed out some deficiencies in the hull of the boat and I used this information to negotiate the purchase price down which more than paid for the survey. Thanks to all who responded to my article. Your comments were tremendously helpful in my decision making process.
...and it was well worth it, if just for the knowledge gained. My surveyor was a young man who grew up around boats, went to school to become a surveyor, etc., etc. and was very good (also very reasonably priced in comparison to others). The surveyor pointed out some deficiencies in the hull of the boat and I used this information to negotiate the purchase price down which more than paid for the survey. Thanks to all who responded to my article. Your comments were tremendously helpful in my decision making process.
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