Used boat - survey advice

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brainard133

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Hello,

I would like to ask for advice on the best process for survey and sea trial for the purchase of a used boat. We're looking to buy an SC35, having previously owned a share in a yacht. We have nothing lined up at present, but we expect to be spending in the region of 130-150k for something between 6-9 years old.

I will likely shy away from anything which has not got a recent service history, although I realise that any history from more than 3-4 years ago will be a bonus. My question is, as I am relatively new to boat ownership (certainly at this price point) what sort of pre purchase due diligence would you go through and is there anything which you think is more important?

Once we have had an offer accepted, we will need to arrange for the boat to be lifted for a survey. Is it normal for a single surveyor to cover the boat, engines and sterndrives? Or is it preferable to instruct more than one surveyor? We will then need a sea trial but as we’re new to motorboat ownership we will need some support. Is it preferable to take the surveyor used for the boat survey, or an engineer to check the engines? Or Both?

One or two brokers we have spoken to are suggesting that for a boat of this age a survey is not really necessary (understandable for them as it can only lead to the price going one way). Does anyone have an opinion on this? Would you say that a sea trial with a Volvo specialist on board is more useful than a lift and survey?

I have read some forums which have made my head spin with all of the suggestions. I know it is possible to completely go to town on the pre purchase work but I am trying to understand the middle ground of what is normal and acceptable for a boat of this age and price.

Any advice would be much appreciated and if there are any suggestions for suitable surveyors on the south costs, I would be very grateful.

Thanks,
 
Having more or less just gone the process, we got a surveyor to obviously survey the boat. On the day of the survey, the boat was lifted out and jetted off. The surveyor was there for this as it allowed him to look at the hull, anodes, props, etc. The surveyor also went a sea trial with the broker. This allowed him to check for the obvious things one would look at - engine temperatures, speed overground versus rpm, steering, etc. The report was actually 24 pages long. The surveyor basically went over the boat with fine tooth comb! For anyone interested, the surveyor was Bernard Merryweather and the report was extremely comprehensive.

Next we engaged a Volvo specialist to look at the engines. He was able to plug his digital wizardry into the engines to check for fault code and of course he checked up all aspects of the engine. He also did an oil sample but bear in mind this is a snapshot in time. He also went on a sea trial with the broker.

As we were unable to co-ordinate with the surveys (happening during the week and some distance from us), we went on a separate sea trial with the broker on the weekend. If anyone is interested, the broker was Mike de Graaf from Boatshed Wales. Excellent broker - if I was selling a boat, I'd certainly use him. Honest and to the point with both the Buyer and the Seller.

We made certain we saw the original VAT invoice as well as the boat builders certficate, etc. Make sure you see the paperwork. There are too many threads about missing VAT documents etc.

Steps in our purchase process:

*viewing boats
*deliberating and procrastinating
*making an offer
*making a counter-offer :o
*agreeing a number
*boat survey
*engine survey
*personal sea trial
*completion
*handover on Friday:o

Not sure about boat surveyors but I think it would be worth chatting to Volvopaul about your engine survey.

I have probably forgotten something but I hope it helps.
 
brainard133 said:
Hello,

I would like to ask for advice on the best process for survey and sea trial for the purchase of a used boat. We're looking to buy an SC35, having previously owned a share in a yacht. We have nothing lined up at present, but we expect to be spending in the region of 130-150k for something between 6-9 years old.

I will likely shy away from anything which has not got a recent service history, although I realise that any history from more than 3-4 years ago will be a bonus. My question is, as I am relatively new to boat ownership (certainly at this price point) what sort of pre purchase due diligence would you go through and is there anything which you think is more important?

Once we have had an offer accepted, we will need to arrange for the boat to be lifted for a survey. Is it normal for a single surveyor to cover the boat, engines and sterndrives? Or is it preferable to instruct more than one surveyor? We will then need a sea trial but as we’re new to motorboat ownership we will need some support. Is it preferable to take the surveyor used for the boat survey, or an engineer to check the engines? Or Both?

One or two brokers we have spoken to are suggesting that for a boat of this age a survey is not really necessary (understandable for them as it can only lead to the price going one way). Does anyone have an opinion on this? Would you say that a sea trial with a Volvo specialist on board is more useful than a lift and survey?

I have read some forums which have made my head spin with all of the suggestions. I know it is possible to completely go to town on the pre purchase work but I am trying to understand the middle ground of what is normal and acceptable for a boat of this age and price.

Any advice would be much appreciated and if there are any suggestions for suitable surveyors on the south costs, I would be very grateful.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
I'd like to know and I bet others on here would like to know which unprofessional broker has suggested you don't bother with a survey especially on a Sealine, also a boat that age on drives with D4 engines will have many faults that will cost good money to put right, I'd be keeping away from that kind of advice if I were you.
 
shan said:
Having more or less just gone the process, we got a surveyor to obviously survey the boat. On the day of the survey, the boat was lifted out and jetted off. The surveyor was there for this as it allowed him to look at the hull, anodes, props, etc. The surveyor also went a sea trial with the broker. This allowed him to check for the obvious things one would look at - engine temperatures, speed overground versus rpm, steering, etc. The report was actually 24 pages long. The surveyor basically went over the boat with fine tooth comb! For anyone interested, the surveyor was Bernard Merryweather and the report was extremely comprehensive.

Next we engaged a Volvo specialist to look at the engines. He was able to plug his digital wizardry into the engines to check for fault code and of course he checked up all aspects of the engine. He also did an oil sample but bear in mind this is a snapshot in time. He also went on a sea trial with the broker.

As we were unable to co-ordinate with the surveys (happening during the week and some distance from us), we went on a separate sea trial with the broker on the weekend. If anyone is interested, the broker was Mike de Graaf from Boatshed Wales. Excellent broker - if I was selling a boat, I'd certainly use him. Honest and to the point with both the Buyer and the Seller.

We made certain we saw the original VAT invoice as well as the boat builders certficate, etc. Make sure you see the paperwork. There are too many threads about missing VAT documents etc.

Steps in our purchase process:

*viewing boats
*deliberating and procrastinating
*making an offer
*making a counter-offer :o
*agreeing a number
*boat survey
*engine survey
*personal sea trial
*completion
*handover on Friday:o

Not sure about boat surveyors but I think it would be worth chatting to Volvopaul about your engine survey.

I have probably forgotten something but I hope it helps.
Click to expand...



I think this Post is very good and comprehensive advice.

Following this I suspect you will not go far wrong

Graham
 
In my experience, I would separate out a mechanical and electrical survey from the hull. They are different skills. I used a hull surveyor mainly to confirm the condition of the hull, moisture, damage etc.

My mechanical surveyor checked the engines, transmissions, gennie, and all the on board mechanical and electrical systems, and came on the sea trial. What he found, the vendor fixed before we concluded the deal. VolvoPaul above is highly qualified to undertake the mechanical/elec/systems survey, as are others independents like Tom Parker (Tompa Marine). You should also spend as much time digging around on board as you need. I did!
The process is quite daunting, but don't forget that it is your money. You need to be satisfied with the deal.

There are several SC35 owners on this forum, and Flowerpower bought one about a year ago. He is ideally placed to give you appropriate pointers. Great boats by the way.
 
Having spent the past two years looking for a boat, I'd be wary of singling your choice down to a specific model. You might get lucky and find one in the price and condition that you're after or it could take you a long time.
 
petem said:
Having spent the past two years looking for a boat, I'd be wary of singling your choice down to a specific model. You might get lucky and find one in the price and condition that you're after or it could take you a long time.
Click to expand...
What do you mean 2 years Pete. Wasn't it nearer 12? :) I think the OP has a realistic budget for the boat he is looking for, and there are a few out there for sale.
 
shan said:
Having more or less just gone the process, we got a surveyor to obviously survey the boat. On the day of the survey, the boat was lifted out and jetted off. The surveyor was there for this as it allowed him to look at the hull, anodes, props, etc. The surveyor also went a sea trial with the broker. This allowed him to check for the obvious things one would look at - engine temperatures, speed overground versus rpm, steering, etc. The report was actually 24 pages long. The surveyor basically went over the boat with fine tooth comb! For anyone interested, the surveyor was Bernard Merryweather and the report was extremely comprehensive.

Next we engaged a Volvo specialist to look at the engines. He was able to plug his digital wizardry into the engines to check for fault code and of course he checked up all aspects of the engine. He also did an oil sample but bear in mind this is a snapshot in time. He also went on a sea trial with the broker.

As we were unable to co-ordinate with the surveys (happening during the week and some distance from us), we went on a separate sea trial with the broker on the weekend. If anyone is interested, the broker was Mike de Graaf from Boatshed Wales. Excellent broker - if I was selling a boat, I'd certainly use him. Honest and to the point with both the Buyer and the Seller.

We made certain we saw the original VAT invoice as well as the boat builders certficate, etc. Make sure you see the paperwork. There are too many threads about missing VAT documents etc.

Steps in our purchase process:

*viewing boats
*deliberating and procrastinating
*making an offer
*making a counter-offer :o
*agreeing a number
*boat survey
*engine survey
*personal sea trial
*completion
*handover on Friday:o

Not sure about boat surveyors but I think it would be worth chatting to Volvopaul about your engine survey.

I have probably forgotten something but I hope it helps.
Click to expand...



Great advice, thanks for such a comprehensive reply. Hopefully, I will be able to respond with good news in the next few weeks :-)
 
rafiki_ said:
What do you mean 2 years Pete. Wasn't it nearer 12? :) I think the OP has a realistic budget for the boat he is looking for, and there are a few out there for sale.
Click to expand...


It felt like it took 2 years just to read the forum post on your search for a boat Pete :D Joking aside, I have looked an many options and there are a few other options which fit the bill for me such as the Benneteau GT38, Prestige 38S, Targa 38GT, Jenneau NC11 etc. Unfortunately, these are either more expensive and therefore hard to justify the extra outlay or they are few and far between. Any other suggestions - please shout!

I could wait for ever for the perfect boat but at some point you have to bite the bullet and do it. We have missed this summer on the water because our finances weren't quite ready. There seems to be a ready supply of SC35s. The comments I read from owners are typically positive. I realise the looks are not to everyone's taste, but I do like it. Some people prefer to spend more (or compromise on age or size) for a more prestige mark like Fairline or Princess but for us, the SC35 seems to tick many boxes.
 
Hi Brainard

I am in the process of buying a 2002 Sealine and used Tony McGrail for the survey, he was very thorough and worked his way logically through the boat. I wouldn't consider buying a boat without a professional survey. We checked most of the boat prior to the sea trial and then after the trial, the boat was lifted and he carried out a thorough check of the hull and drives. I was also able to arrange for him to come back and recheck that the repairs had been carried out correctly.
He is based in Christchurch and will travel, but as you don't give the location of your prospective purchase you would need to contact him for a price. The list of steps given by Shan looks about right but it seems its never that easy
 
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