survey question

[masterofnone]

survey being done this afternoon on my prospective purchase, what q would you ask the surveyor?

 

[fireball]

How would you like your tea?

 

[Sequoiah1]

What are the limits of the survey?

In other words you need as much info from him as possible on the state of the vessel. Its no good just having a cursory couple of pages.

 

[masterofnone]

Dont know how to light taylors parafin stove, care for a stella?

 

[masterofnone]

Hull only, insurance up to head hight

 

[fireball]

Sorry - I read it the wrong way round - I read it as though you were selling ... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

We did visit whilst the surveyor was there, and indicated our (lack of) knowledge in the boat buying business ... he was very honest with us with what he did and didn't check (for instance - the Electronics check was just to see if they turned on, not the operation of them) which suited us fine. He pointed out a couple of bits of interest as he was going round, other than that, we left him alone.

As suggested knowing the limits of his survey is important (but should've been sorted out when you asked him to do the job?!). I would ask if there is anything in particular to look out for on this type of vessel.

 

[masterofnone]

waiting for tide, boat been a little neglected so survey limiled

 

[catalac08]

surveys on boats I have bought have been lacking in functional checks e.g. did not conduct an engine test or even to check the engine ran, that VHF and instruments worked. Style can be defensive ie to cover surveyor in the event of a dispute rather than to identify any major defect (is the engine not working a majof defect?) so every small an unimportant defect may be identified and you may have to take a little while for the significance of the report to sink in.
My first survey showed mast depression in the coachroof, which I had not noticed and I as then able to re-enforce the forecabin doorway to give better support to the mast tabernacle and when I sold the boat 10 years later this was ok at survey; my second survey showed no minor defects I was not aware of (must have learned something in ten years!)
Your surveyor should be clear whether he is doing a pre-purchase survey
or insurance/valuation survey as these are two pretrty different animals

Best of luck with your survey

 

[masterofnone]

thanks, best go see if there is still a prop or if it gave in to galvanic wotever

 

[Koeketiene]

Would he buy it for himself?
If not - why not?

 

[damo]

May be a bit late, but after my surveyor had finished, and mentioned various problems, I asked him "If it was your money, would you buy this boat?"

His answer: "It needs a,b,c doing, but it is a lot of boat for what you are paying for it"

I bought it, and have never regretted it.....

 

[photodog]

The surverys that I have had done both had a summation at the end that effectivley stated if the boat was worth buying....

On the last boat it went something like.....


"xxxx boat represents at the price being asked good value for money and should give many years of excellent service if maintained correctly and the items mentioned previously are seen too.." or something of the sort...

I thought that this was a excellent statement and helped to summarize any concerns/ issues raised by the survey in relation to the price paid...

Its crucial to get the right surveyor who knows the breed as it were, and can give a good insite into the value of what you are paying for. My experience is that a good surveyor will cut throught the BS and get to the point....

 

[Jonny_H]

Fully agree, our surveyor did the official line of "this needs doing, that could do with replacing in 5 years time" etc.

When asked whether he thought we should buy it he said "absolutely - its ideal for what you want, the items I noted are merely negotiation points and there's nothing I've seen which would stop me buying it"

To me, knowing he was a well reputed surveyor, this was like signing the cheque!

Jonny

 

[mikehibb]

I am currently speaking to two surveyors trying to decide which one to look at my potential purchase.

One just told me over the phone what he would look at, and what would be extra etc, sounded a bit too casual about the whole deal. I need to feel the confidence that he knows what he needs to look at.
The second emailed me his standard conditions of what he recommended for a full condition/pre-purchase survey, all very well presented.

He would do in water survey first, and insisted that he would need to be present when the boat is lifted, then hull survey etc. Also includes for going aloft and a sea trial.

Second guy will cost me a few pounds more, but I have that gut feeling you get when speaking to someone that instills confidence. Also this guy is registered with RYA and other recognised agencies. Also he confirmed that his surveys are recognised by the Insurance companies that I have recieved quotes from.

For my own peace of mind spending a few hundred pounds is nothing when you consider the amount of money that you are about to spend on a new boat, especially when it is your first time getting your own boat.