Refueler
Well-Known Member
When my Snapdragon forestay ripped out (the 23 had an eye bolt with washer and simple nut arrangement under deck) ... the boat was put into a yard on Isle of Wight. I made claim of course etc.
Brokers after some days rejected claim based on a Surveyors report they had done WITHOUT my knowledge. I immedaitely contacted the yard and was told the guys name etc. Also that they were not 'impressed' by his 'work'. It was obvious that he was there to find any fault possible to use against the claim ... Claim Adjustor - we call them. I then instructed Yard Owner that no access to the boat except by explicit permission from me.
Brokers refused to forward a copy of the report - so unknown to them - two can play that game - I contacted the Surveyor and had a long phone chat going through his report.
1. He had LOA wrong as well as other descriptions of the layout etc.
2. He stated that a previous claim for hanked sails etc. was 'likely fraudulent' because the boat had a furling system.
3. He stated the forestay had 'unwound itself' from its fixing.
the list went on and was literally as if the guy had never seen a boat before.
After all the talk and info was got from him ... I informed him that I was in fact a Marine Surveyor of many years experience ... with an International Reputable Company and owned a Yacht Survey Co on South Coast - NMS which was at that time well known locally around Clubs and yards.
Second that the Furling System was in fact fitted as replacement by the very insurance people who nominated him, for the hanked on sail set that had been stolen.
He ignored the state of the 'torn hole' in the foredeck and the fact the nut was still on the eyebolt ...
He then admitted that the Brokers had asked him to check over the facts of the PREVIOUS claim - boat had had its forehatch forced and all gear inside stolen ... including all sails - and to find every possible reason they could void the present claim.
I finally had to agree with Underwriters themselves a Write Off settlement and keep the boat.
Final bit before I end ... EVERY survey / valuation report / Damage assessment I did - I always asked the client / owner / buyer to be there. Not only for any questions he might have - but also often they have reasons for a strange article or modification I see.
Prime example : Westerly Pageant for sale in Gosport. It had its chainplates extended till they were lined with mast pivot. Unfortunately the husband had died and widow was selling - but she was able to explain as well as give me a detailed account of his love and care for the boat. It was pristine. He used to single hand the boat and the chainplates allowed him to drop the mast for his various trips in france etc. The guy had been a metal fabricator / engineer in the Gosport Naval Helicopter facility - used the best stainless available. The boat was named after that facility.
I did not buy but decided to buy the SR25 instead ... that 2ft extra made a difference !
A well known Surveyor visited that Pageant few days after me and did not have Widow present. That boat then appeared at a friends yard for : Replacement of chainplates back to original spec. Replace the perfectly good Volvo with an engine Surveyor would supply - Surveyor would also 'dispose' of the old engine. Hull to be osmosis treated and Surveyor ONLY to meter / supervise job.
My pal Adrian very carefully and diplomatically informed the Widow that in his opinion the work was not necessary. But this a*****e surveyor had convinced her ...
Adrian did the work - to his usual excellent standard ... and tried to get her to agree to let him sell the parts and engine for her ... but surveyor turned up and took it all away.... FoC of course.
Sorry for the long story's - but just showing that there are Surveyors and there are Surveyors ... the last one - was actually well known all over UK ...
