oldbilbo
...
What do they do that you can't do for yourself, but more thoroughly? What do they get right and what do they tend to miss? Who feels it was money well spent....?
Surveyors and surveys
- Thread starter oldbilbo
- Start date
davidej
Well-Known Member
I did.
I consider myself fairly practical but the surveyor knew what to look for.
As we were spending £50k+, I didn't begrudge the £600 or so - just about 1% for peace of mind
I consider myself fairly practical but the surveyor knew what to look for.
As we were spending £50k+, I didn't begrudge the £600 or so - just about 1% for peace of mind
Hoolie
Well-Known Member
Ours, as it turned out, is one of the UK top experts on osmosis. He sampled IIRC about 26 points on the hull - result +ve thank goodness. He also pointed out several areas of electrolytic corrosion toe rail/stanchion I hadn't seen. As for the rest he was pretty thorough and didn't miss much I'd noticed. I thought in spite of the cost he was good value.
To someone less practical than myself it would certainly have been money very well spent. But I guess you get what you pay for and a bargain survey may not turn out to be that.
To someone less practical than myself it would certainly have been money very well spent. But I guess you get what you pay for and a bargain survey may not turn out to be that.
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
The answer is that my last surveyor didnt really find anything I didn't know about, but the insurance company trust his word more than mine...
The surveyor also has professional indemnity insurance which is supposed to help? Not wanting to be too cynical, I have heard of people claiming successfully.
The surveyor also has professional indemnity insurance which is supposed to help? Not wanting to be too cynical, I have heard of people claiming successfully.
chinita
Well-Known Member
I don't pay for surveys any more. I did the course at the IBTC run by Paul Stevens.
This is what was covered and is excellent:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surveying-Yachts-Small-Craft-Stevens/dp/1408114038
This is what was covered and is excellent:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surveying-Yachts-Small-Craft-Stevens/dp/1408114038
jonic
Well-Known Member
A good one is well worth it.
I broker yachts all day long, read 100's of reports and have sailed 1000's of miles fixing my own boat as I go.
But once a year I have a surveyor I trust check over my own boat to keep me up to speed with the things I can't see.
Avoid anyone who's opening gambit is I guarantee I can save you my fee.
You want a pragmatic, experienced guy (or girl) who keeps things in perspective and has an eye for detail.
I broker yachts all day long, read 100's of reports and have sailed 1000's of miles fixing my own boat as I go.
But once a year I have a surveyor I trust check over my own boat to keep me up to speed with the things I can't see.
Avoid anyone who's opening gambit is I guarantee I can save you my fee.
You want a pragmatic, experienced guy (or girl) who keeps things in perspective and has an eye for detail.
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Cymrogwyllt
Well-Known Member
in any case the reports are worded in such a way to let them off the hook if any problems show up.
prv
Well-Known Member
I reckon I'm just as good as a surveyor at "systems" things (possibly better than the one who surveyed our boat as he reported the heads tap not working when he simply didn't know how to turn it on!). But I would rely on them for anything to do with the actual structure of the hull itself.
Pete
Pete
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
Wot Jonic says
NigelCraig
Well-Known Member
But how do I find such a person? Recommendation? (from whom?)
Also (sorry to hang these on but didn't want to start a new thread) is there a standard form of wording for an offer "subject to survey", or is it just an open negotiation if significant defects are found. Are there circumstabnnces where the vendor could claim breach of contract if you theought cost of putting defects right out of proportion to end value? And also, assume buyer has to pay for lift out?
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
You pay a surveyor to lay his head on the chopping block. He will do his best to identify any faults or potentially it's his career down the pan. You can do it yourself, but if you do there is no one to blame.
onesea
Well-Known Member
Then do all he can to protect it indemnify himself and generally cover his arse....
Boat surveyors maybe better than most but experience has taught me to be very cynical about surveyors...
Tranona
Well-Known Member
www.ydsa.co.uk has a list of member surveyors. Website also has useful information on choosing a surveyor. Other surveyor professional bodies are IIMS and RINA. Best to use a member of one of these bodies as they will carry the necessary professional indemnity insurance. Look for one that specialises in the sort of boat you are buying. The buying process is governed by the contract and the purpose of the survey is for you to satisfy yourself the boat is as described. The surveyor is acting for you to determine this so you pay for the lift if required. If the report shows that the boat is not as described - that is there are serious defects then the contract is open to renegotiation by either adjusting the price or the seller making good the defects. The nature of the renegotiation and the outcome will depend on the specific circumstances.
Madhatter
Well-Known Member
Well I am lucky I suppose as I have a whole team of surveyors in all corners of the country , and a darn good job they do too ( when sober)
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
We've had one of those done
What a waste of money that was. The boat had been treated for osmosis - DIY job.
Afterwards the hull (balsa core) was visibly thinner below the waterline than above.
Surveyor's comment: the hull probably remains adequately strong.
I took this to mean: she might float, but don't hold me to it.
I've also had a survey done where the surveyor went - IMHO - above and beyond.
Very (!!) thorough. Spotted quite a few bits which, left alone, would have cost us many thousands along the line instead of just the couple of hundred it took to deal with them at an early stage.
If I ever buy another boat, that guy is doing my survey.
Anthonyrmay
New Member
I have just purchased a new boat Bavaria match35 for £55k through a broker and having had a survey where an overheating issue was noted instructed the owner to sort out the issue pre sale. He agreed taking it in a Volvo dealer who found a water pump failed this was replaced and the sale went through.
7days later I collect the boat and deliver from Brighton to Chichester where the engine was run for 35 -40 minutes and it failed never to start again.
Independent Volvo engineer has opened up to find cylinder and piston damage and has written the engine off, replacement bill £5k
What recourse if any do I have , previous owner sorry to hear that, broker what can I do to help? Surveyor detailed over heating , original volvo repairer , we replaced a faulty part which is still working ?....
Going to be £5-£7 k out of pocket with a boat that can't move off the pontoon
Please can anyone help surveyor has been very nice but he doesnt carry out an engine survey so what now,????? Anyone have any ideas
7days later I collect the boat and deliver from Brighton to Chichester where the engine was run for 35 -40 minutes and it failed never to start again.
Independent Volvo engineer has opened up to find cylinder and piston damage and has written the engine off, replacement bill £5k
What recourse if any do I have , previous owner sorry to hear that, broker what can I do to help? Surveyor detailed over heating , original volvo repairer , we replaced a faulty part which is still working ?....
Going to be £5-£7 k out of pocket with a boat that can't move off the pontoon
Please can anyone help surveyor has been very nice but he doesnt carry out an engine survey so what now,????? Anyone have any ideas
