Is it worth a surveyor?

[iangrant]

Just about to hand over the money for a 1995 Jeanneau 37.1, gelshielded last year. Armed with a moisture meter and a torch I reckon I can see more than I will get from a surveyor's report that costs £600 and tells me all the things he didn't look at, or wouldn't be responsible for?
And if he does miss something (the last one did) It's really not worth persuing a litigation action!
Any views?

Regards

Ian

 

[tony_brighton]

Will you need a surveyor's report for insurance?
If not and you are confident in your own abilities then go for it.

 

[vyv_cox]

Absolutely agree. The last survey I had was a total waste of money but was insisted upon by the finance company. According to him, all seacocks were functioning but one had a handle missing and another was so rusty that it broke when I turned it. He failed to spot that the deck creaked when walked upon, potentially a very expensive repair but fortunately has not turned out to be serious. Failed to see water leaks in two side lockers that required inner chainplates to be removed and rebedded. Told me the prop was 16 inch diameter (very useful!) but in fact it was 15 inches. Made a big issue of water in the bottom of the locker under the sink, suggesting that seacocks needed rebedding. In fact one taste told it to be fresh water, it was the tap leaking.

Be careful with the moisture meter, you can't get a sensible reading through a gelshield layer and it is not advisable to strip it off, even in small areas. My surveyor said he was unable to read because of the coating and the finance company accepted that.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Yes

because he will find things and write them down 'officially' which will allow you to negotiate the vendor down in price. My survey cost nearly £400, but got a stern gear problem fixed for free by the vendor, and a nearly £2k off the price.

 

[Boatman]

I agree with both sides, a report is a bargaining tool, guaranteed things will be missed and sueing is a waste of time but it will also certainly highlight things that you may have missed whether they are important or not is another issue.

 

[peterg]

re: worth a surveyor?

I can see your point but as stated in another reply, it's possible to get stuff fixed by the vendor (and/or money off) - we got well over £2k worth of repairs/renewals done on the strength of a £300 survey and he spotted a lot of things I would have missed whilst looking lovingly at a nice big shiny boat!

 

[PeteMcK]

Re: Yes

Yes (reluctantly). My 600 quid gave me ammunition to reduce the price by about 2500 (the main item being a questionable gearbox which I'd have accepted as quirky - in fact it needed a complete rebuild, it might have needed replaced for all I knew at the time) and the insurers needed one anyway. It also reassured me, as a first time buyer, that the boat was basically OK. Eight years on, I'd like to say I'd do it myself but the insurance question remains.

 

[iangrant]

Re: Yes

I've just spoken to the insurance Co. they say " 'cause she's under 20 years old they don't need a survey". I've traded up some 5 boats now and I think I'll use the previous reports as a check list to make sure that I don't miss anything! As for the engine and gearbox, well that's normally a different survey anyway and I know John Cutler quite well to fix it if it's broke. As for knocking money off well its a trade in so it could backfire!!

Thanks anyway
Ian

 

[chas]

It probably depends on the age of the boat. I bought one that was 25 years old and a £400 survey not only enabled me to get the price reduced by £6500 but also gave me an excellent list of jobs that needed doing!

 

[gus]

Judging by the quality of surveys I have had done in the past and aware of my own abilities. I would be looking over the shoulder of any surveyor I required to engage to survey a boat. I would require him to justify there and then any comment, adverse or otherwise that he was considering including in his final report.
I have had comments like describing a water tank dip stick as an elderly method of ascertaining the water level, or commenting on the fact that the bolted down cooker was not perfectly aligned, yet missed the fact that 12" of the keel was not welded properly.

 

[graham]

Re: Definitely

You will probably need a recent survey to be able to insure the boat.Better to find out about problems while you can negotiate a price reduction .

Spend a day doing your own survey first which may save you wasting money surveying a boat with obvious problems.

Remember that the engine and sails often are not included in a standard survey.

Best Regards Graham