Help choosing a surveyor

[maej]

I'm in the process of buying my first boat, a Sadler 34, and need to hire a surveyor. I have done some research and got some quotes and my shortlist is down to 2. Any comments / recommendations / experience with either of them?

• Martin Sadler
• Tony Staton-Bevan

Martin Sadler is slightly cheaper, a member of IIMS but not YDSA. Being the designer of the Sadler 34 gives him an intimate understanding of the construction and design of the boat. But does that knowledge help after the boat has aged for 30 years, and would that make him less likely to critisize. I found no posts or comments here about him as a surveyor.

Tony Staton-Bevan is a member of the YDSA and there are a few recommendations for him in posts on this forum. He seems to be quite highly respected and his website is informative.

Thanks

 

[rickym]

Tony Staton-Bevan is about as thorough as you can get, he will miss nothing. Just mention his name to the broker makes them go weak at the knees. Reading one of his reports will make you feel l 'why am I buying this', you will know all the problems now and what to look for in the future. It is always good to talk after the survey, some surveyors like the purchaser present during the survey, this can be very informative.

If the surveyor has to travel a lot will add this to the bill. You don't say where the yacht is based. A surveyor that knows the type of boat is often very useful. On one boat I purchased the surveyor didn't understand some of the things he was looking at and I got more help from the broker who knew the boat inside and out having worked for the manufacturer.If you are not sure about the two you have shortlisted get a 3rd quote.

 

[jwilson]

I'm in the process of buying my first boat, a Sadler 34, and need to hire a surveyor. I have done some research and got some quotes and my shortlist is down to 2. Any comments / recommendations / experience with either of them?

• Martin Sadler
• Tony Staton-Bevan

Martin Sadler is slightly cheaper, a member of IIMS but not YDSA. Being the designer of the Sadler 34 gives him an intimate understanding of the construction and design of the boat. But does that knowledge help after the boat has aged for 30 years, and would that make him less likely to critisize. I found no posts or comments here about him as a surveyor.

Tony Staton-Bevan is a member of the YDSA and there are a few recommendations for him in posts on this forum. He seems to be quite highly respected and his website is informative.

Thanks

I think it was Martin Sadler whose company built the Sadlers, the design is usually credited to his father David Sadler.

 

[Tranona]

I think it was Martin Sadler whose company built the Sadlers, the design is usually credited to his father David Sadler.

No, David designed the 25/6, 29 and 32. The 34 was Martin's - but no doubt his dad had some influence!

To the OP - either would be a suitable chice. The 34 is a pretty straightforward boat but does have double skin hull which needs close evaluation.

 

[maej]

Thank you all for the replies

If the surveyor has to travel a lot will add this to the bill. You don't say where the yacht is based. A surveyor that knows the type of boat is often very useful.

The boat is on the Beaulieu river so fairly local for both of these surveyors.
Tony said he knows this class very well, and Martin must do too.

Has anyone here used Martin as a surveyor? or know anyone that has?

So far I'm leaning toward Tony simply because there are some comments from satisfied customers here.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Don't know Martin Sadler but have had 3 surveys done by Tony S-B and they were very thorough and he was happy to talk them through I even rang him a couple of years after one to talk through an issue and repair that related to something he had identified and he was happy to give further advice, highly reccomended.

 

[jwilson]

No, David designed the 25/6, 29 and 32. The 34 was Martin's - but no doubt his dad had some influence!

To the OP - either would be a suitable chice. The 34 is a pretty straightforward boat but does have double skin hull which needs close evaluation.

You are probably right about it being Martin as designer - though contemporary Bristows Yachts books give David. It looks as though I went for Martin in my own archive webpage - http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/sadler-34/sadler-34.htm - and other sources also say Martin. I just had it in my head that it was a David Sadler design.

Whichever, there was probably some collaboration, and the 34 is clearly derived from the 32. Both are very good boats. As I run a brokerage, I can't recommend a surveyor.

 

[maej]

Thank you all for your help that's 2 very positive comments for Tony Staton-Bevan and still no one with experience of Martin Sadler as a surveyor.

I have to admit I wanted to hear good things about Martin, it seemed fitting to have the original designer perform the survey, but with no comments about his surveying skills and several positives for Tony, I have to pick Tony.

Thanks