Sailing newbie selsey
Well-Known Member
Hi I am on the verge of buying my first yacht in the Solent area, what is the going rate for a yacht purchase survey on a yacht that’s 28 ft please, just so I know I am paying the right rate! Thank you
Boat buy survey costs
- Thread starter Sailing newbie selsey
- Start date
CLB
Well-Known Member
I paid about £450 from memory for a similar sized MoBo.
langstonelayabout
Well-Known Member
A similar price to that I paid to Nick Vass (on here) for his very good survey of my present boat.
Try sending a PM to Nick for a call and quote for your boat survey.
Lloydus123
Member
I think I paid 350, but the going rate for other enquiries was around 450/500. I couldn’t of been happier with my survey , richard Nicholson from cowes , he has a website if you google him. Or I’m I have his email somewhere if you get stuck
peter gibbs
Well-Known Member
Differentiate between a structural survey which is what you want and is shorter so costs less, and a full service which will be pages of inventory which surveyors love to produce and which is of no value to you.
But be aware any survey will not warranty the boat, especially the rig and engine.
PWG
Jim@sea
Well-Known Member
If you put what type of boat it is, members could perhaps tell you what to look out for.
Ningaloo
Well-Known Member
I'm imagining a 20+ year old boat with a value of maybe £10,000. £450 seems a lot to pay for a survey in comparison with the boat's value. I sold my 6 year old boat this year and the buyer chose not to have a survey, but I was able to show a documented history of work that I had done and was open and honest about even the smallest fault - and we spend half a day together going over every aspect of the boat so he could check it for himself.
Remember that on top of the survey you may also have to pay for a lift out.
I'd suggest getting a knowledgeable friend (or asking around at your local yacht club) to take an initial look. If it is in the water run the engine and maybe take a trial sail. If ashore you can still run the engine but a little more difficult to run up a cooling water supply, but out of the water will give you access to the hull and rudder. Major things to look at are general soundness of the hull, keel/hull joints to ensure no hard grounding, rudder bearings ok and wheel/tiller operates smoothly, age of standing rigging is acceptable, engine starts and runs (under load) ok, seacocks sound and easy to open/close, battery voltage acceptable.
Many other things are repairable/replaceable. Sails, electronics, upholstery, interior should reflect the age of the boat,
Even in todays strange world I doubt there are many buyers around in the middle of the winter and most owners would like to get the sale done so that have no further storage costs on something they have lost interest in (I speak from experience) so you are in a strong position. If you see anything wrong either walk away or make a low offer based on rectification costs.
Remember that on top of the survey you may also have to pay for a lift out.
I'd suggest getting a knowledgeable friend (or asking around at your local yacht club) to take an initial look. If it is in the water run the engine and maybe take a trial sail. If ashore you can still run the engine but a little more difficult to run up a cooling water supply, but out of the water will give you access to the hull and rudder. Major things to look at are general soundness of the hull, keel/hull joints to ensure no hard grounding, rudder bearings ok and wheel/tiller operates smoothly, age of standing rigging is acceptable, engine starts and runs (under load) ok, seacocks sound and easy to open/close, battery voltage acceptable.
Many other things are repairable/replaceable. Sails, electronics, upholstery, interior should reflect the age of the boat,
Even in todays strange world I doubt there are many buyers around in the middle of the winter and most owners would like to get the sale done so that have no further storage costs on something they have lost interest in (I speak from experience) so you are in a strong position. If you see anything wrong either walk away or make a low offer based on rectification costs.
CLB
Well-Known Member
I am inclined to agree about the value of a survey on a relatively cheap boat, and am more than happy to self survey any future purchases. The problem is that many insurance companies now insist on a survey less than 5 years old for any boats over 20/25/30 years old. This means you may as well get one pre-purchase so it can double up as an insurance survey for the next 5 years.
