To do a boat survey or not

[Adetheheat]

I'm in the process of buying a Beneteau Antares 755. Itsv9 yesrs old. All the service receipts seem to be there. I've been out with her and it looks and feels good. It all seems to be working. Low hours as verified. Should I get a survey done?

 

[rotrax]

It depends how much you know about boats.

First Mate and I have owned three boats, all were given a really good going over by me before we made an offer.

No regrets.

I have kept an old narrowboat going on a knotted shoe string and there is little about yacht systems I am not conversant with.

Others may not have this experience, or, dare I say it, confidence in themselves.

 

[Tranona]

Your choice - although your insurer may well want a survey and valuation anyway. 2 big pros for having a survey are first that it may pick up things that your inspection misses and second you have some security through the professional indemnity insurance. To me the big value of the survey is being there at the time and getting the surveyor to explain what he finds as he goes along, or at least a verbal summary at the end so that he can show you anything of note.

 

[temptress]

I'm in the process of buying a Beneteau Antares 755. Itsv9 yesrs old. All the service receipts seem to be there. I've been out with her and it looks and feels good. It all seems to be working. Low hours as verified. Should I get a survey done?

Depends....
How much are you payting for the BOAT?
if it's 10K then probably not if it 100K then yes.

How much do yo uknow about Hull structures, Engine(s) and Rigging?
Can you tell if there is any stress from overstressing the Hull rigging or grounding?
Some hairline cracks are fins others are not.
Condition of engines?

In the end it's up to you.

I've bought yacht with and wihtout survery usually depends on the age/size/price of the boat.

 

[Dukester52]

How much do you know about Hull structures, Engine(s) and Rigging?

To be fair, in my experience, a surveyor wont go near engines or rigging... you'd need to arrange that separately with a rigger and an engineer...

 

[DanTribe]

Your choice - although your insurer may well want a survey and valuation anyway. 2 big pros for having a survey are first that it may pick up things that your inspection misses and second you have some security through the professional indemnity insurance. To me the big value of the survey is being there at the time and getting the surveyor to explain what he finds as he goes along, or at least a verbal summary at the end so that he can show you anything of note.

A very valid point. I have to get a survey every few years for insurance. My boatyard offered to give me a "safety check" type of survey but the insurers said they wanted a professional survey from some one with professional indemnity cover, presumably so they could claim from him if things went wrong.
I've always thought my periodic surveys are good value for peace of mind.

 

[coveman]

Your choice - although your insurer may well want a survey and valuation anyway. 2 big pros for having a survey are first that it may pick up things that your inspection misses and second you have some security through the professional indemnity insurance. To me the big value of the survey is being there at the time and getting the surveyor to explain what he finds as he goes along, or at least a verbal summary at the end so that he can show you anything of note.

Quite agree - if the surveyor finds any problems you are also quite in order to negotiate the price down a bit as well, which can be helpful, and may well save you money in the long run.

 

[KevinV]

With the cost of anything boaty the surveyor only needs to spot one thing you missed and you've earned the fee back ?‍

 

[Biggles Wader]

To be fair, in my experience, a surveyor wont go near engines or rigging... you'd need to arrange that separately with a rigger and an engineer...

Given that an Antares is all engine and no rigging maybe best start with an engineer report.

 

[Neeves]

Make an offer - subject to survey. This then locks you in - if you really like the boat - but gives you a let out if something expensive is found.

I think you normally have to commit a deposit - to show you are serious and this is held by the broker.

I think/thought there was a recognised sequence and process for buying and selling yachts in the UK....???

Jonathan