Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Much?

JasonB

JasonB

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Ok, The Isuzu engined Bayliner looked like a Dog! I'm sure the person who buys it will know nothing about boats......

So, the other boat have been enquiring about is getting better every day. But it has a Mercruiser 4.3 petrol engine in it. Does anyone have any recommendations for surveyors near Hull (yes, I am waiting for the jokes!) and marine engineers that would give the boat a good going over?

I'm figuring a surveyor for the boat and a marine engineer for the engine/sterndrive.

How much for a survey on a 24ft sportscruiser???

I nearly fell off my chair when I read a post recently that said £1000 would be about right for a survey for a 30ft Princess!! I was budgeting for about 1000euro+ (£600+) for both! Is this one of the few things that are cheaper on this side of the water?

Thanks,

J.
 
When I had mine done, which was a few years back, it was something like £400 for the survey and £100 for the marine engineer.

The marine engineers report wasn't worth the paper it was written on as it was nothing more than a visual inspection. He even asked me what I thought of the installation before he visited and quoted the same things in his report. If you're gonna get an engineer to look at the engine. He needs to run it at speed and he needs to take compression readings at the very least. Other than that, save the money and get an oil analysis done for about £30. It will tell you alot about the state of the engines internals providing you can interpret the results.
 
Jason

Slightly further South and a year or so ago, i paid £250 for a marine survey and about £150 for an engine survey and test which inluded such things as compression tests, oil etc.

There are of course lift costs associated with the survey and you will probably be hit with the costs of a hull washdown when it is lifted.

Hope that gives you a guide price. This was for a 24ft Fairlline Carerra.

Will
 
I've always used Paul Homer, the surveyor who does the MBM used boat tests, strangely he was also sent out to do my boat when I sold it.
I'm sure he travels that far and he only charges about £8/ft for a full survey which includes checking outdrive oil etc... Highly recommended.
 
Jason ,

Have you had a sea trial yet?Ref Marine surveyor

Bill Rosie will give you a quote. phone no 01246 826003/07798 793407
cheers Joe
 
Jason,
I had a pre-purchase survey of a Princess 25 with a Mercruise 4.3. by Bill Rosie who is based in Chesterfield. (0118 940 2838) The boat has been faultless over the last 5 years. Bill also carried out the BSS checks.
The engine and leg was serviced by the guys at Nationwide Boat sales which has since closed. I'm sure Bill will still be in touch with them. As they are Northern based I'm sure they will be reasonably priced.

Bob
 
Prices have gone up a bit, but I would second the recommendation for Paul Homer, who did a very thorough survey on Flower Power II. The charge was £11 per foot, plus travelling expenses, total price was about £370 for a 29 footer...

If you're way up north, the travelling expenses might mean that someone more local might be more cost effective.

dv.
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

Hi Jkay,

No I haven't had a sea trial yet. I'm in Ireland and the boat is in Hull.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to buy the boat in the UK now or wait until a similar boat comes up for sale over here - nothing near it in the last 12 months has turned up.

At the moment I'm waiting on transport costs from Hull to Swansea - I may buy a trailer in the UK for her and either go over myself and tow her over or pay someone to do it for me.

All depends on how much it all costs - presuming that the engine would need a standard service and an offer of near the asking price would be accepted it looks like she would arrive over just under budget.

Thanks,

Jason.
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

Hi Jason,
I've got a twin axle trailer sat just across the water from Hull at South Ferriby. I use it for a 25ft Princess so it should be suitable. I'd be happy to lend it you. Alternatively I could tow the boat to Swansea for you if you're happy to cover the costs. I've a petrol Cherokee that does about 14mpg when towing my own boat. PM me if interested.

Bob
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

In my experience, Robin Gilmore is the only marine surveyor who knows his job and does it properly. He's not cheap but you'll get top-class service from an experienced and qualified professional (he is rather busy too, so be patient if you need to wait a while for him to fit you in). Reach him on 01452 303008.
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

Bob

If your in Hull maybe you could have a look for Jason to see whether He should go any further with that particular boat?

cheers Joe
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

I'm at Hull marina this Saturday. I'm meeting with the Mercruiser mechanic who lives in Hull. If I can be of any help let me know.
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

Hi Dave I've sent a PM to Jason follow this thread
I'm in Hull in May (from Lincoln)

cheers Joe
 
Re: Surveyors and Mercruiser engineers on the East Coast - Who? How Mu

Hi all,

Thanks for the information. I've completed the budget so I'm going to give the broker a call tomorrow to see if the ballpark figure I've come up with would be acceptable. I'd rather find that out now than at the end of a long trip.

If he's happy with the ballpark figure I have - I'd come over and take a look, maybe do a seatrial and then make an official offer.

My budget presumes that I would buy a trailer near London get a transport company to pick up the trailer, bring it to Hull and then bring boat and trailer to swansea - £500 - seems ok. The trailer is the most expensive bit but within 3 years it would pay itself back in yard fees.

I may take you up on your kind offer of hijacking the mercruiser mechanic - if he took one look at the engine:

Photos of the engine and sterndrive

and said "Walk away!", it might save a lot of time for an appropriate beverage or three in the post????

I'm not sure if the guy who put the antifouling on knew a whole pile - one of the photos shows the anode on the trimtab was covered with antifouling!

thanks all,

J.
 
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