Would you bother with a survey?

I paid a tenner foot for my survey, five years ago. I'd pay that like a shot for a £10k boat, but not a £1k one. However, I'd want someone knowledgeable to do a thorough job, not just write a bit of flannel to keep insurers happy.
 
When I bought my present boat, I had the local surveyor look at it, I can't remember how much he charged but it was not a lot(26k was the asking price). I also had my then neighbour look at it as he was due to be made redundant and as part of the deal they paid for him to be retrained in another industry and he did boat surveying - mine was his first 'proper' survey and I paid him cash. The two surveys were remarkably similar but my neighbour also added lots of high quality photos, they both highlighted all the relevant bad points and I put in a silly offer on that basis. I was most surprised when it was accepted! Well pleased as all the bits I had to do kept me busy for a while.
On previous boats I did not bother but did not pay a lot.
 
I bought a survey from a man in Cumbria.

I was then asked a question by the insurance company's underwriter and I realised that the yacht had been surveyed previously by the same man. He had apparently substituted dates, all other details being identical.

Why did I notice? In the previous survey the mast was stepped. At my survey the mast was on the deck: hence the underwriter's question.

Pm's will be accepted,
 
Last edited:
When I first got into boating I had survey's done. Soon realised that I could spot everything myself, that the survey pointed out, so didn't bother with the last two purchases.
 
yachtailsa said:
Yachtline let me self certify without a survey for my insurance based on my having owned and run a boat for a few years and my Hunter 26 selling for under £10k. Something to think about.

In general if this is your first boat I'd get a survey but bear in mind that the problems won't be as bad as they seem on paper.

By the way.... key thing is engine. A new inboard one is likely to be half the value of the boat, so if it isn't good and sound, go find another boat. Try to make sure you see it running under load if possible.
Click to expand...

Most surveys I've read have absolved the surveyor of any semblance of responsibility as far as thr engine is concerned so useless from that perspective!
 
Given the lottery on the opinion you may get from the surveyor, it makes me wonder. I had a survey on my FV, yes osmosis is present, no, it's not a risk. Similar vessel similar condition, surveyor insisted some of the gelcoat be peeled off. Then there's the one who dug holes through brother's Cascover sheathing.....a capital offence according to another surveyor.
 
On a 10k investment I think its worth having a survey provided it's not just a box ticking exercise. I had my last big boat surveyed by Nick Vass who appears on here occasionally, I was present when the survey was carried out and learnt a lot. Unfortunately Nick is based on the south coast so may not be prepared to travel to Derbyshire.
 
If it helps anyone, then I am happy to send them a free survey template. This simply lists all things to be checked in a constructive way as the usual problem is forgetting to check something once you have left the boat. It is not a substitute for a professional survey but can be helpful. I have put part of it on my website (link to sample surveys) so you can see whether it would be of any use, I have not put the whole list there as it really is meant for non professional use as it did take time to construct .The list is free and available for wood or grp, state which though.
No strings just sharing knowledge. Email from website.

John Lilley
 
Last edited:
Following

The above post, most of us with the time and some practical skill could work through a checklist. What I have not seen on the foregoing posts is any real understanding of the term "survey". Mine, for instance, was essentially a hull condition survey and stated quite clearly that engine, instruments and so on had not been tested/checked. The surveyor, because it was an "insurance" survey also commented on its value, again, with various caveats.

I would still have to check the function of all boat systems, even with a survey.

At which stage the survey was of little practical value, however, I did get a list of works categorised as immediate, within a year and within two years. This list of suggested works was invaluable and something to discuss with the insurer and keep updated on.

The challenge for an amateur, is the hull survey and all the potential ills not just osmosis, working with sounding hammers and a trained ear as well as moisture meters. I did experience a boat with serious de lamination issues that the new owner missed by not having a survey, which is the final point. You do get some come back with an insured Surveyor.

Cheers
 
any boat within my price range is probably not worth surveying

having bought and sold a few boats over the years I have read lots of surveys - they are stuffed with mealy mouthed generalisations and hedged with possibles and did not investigates

If I can see a problem then I would ask a man who knows more than me

I think guessing the integrity of GRP is a lot easier than deciding how much strength wood still has in it

D

Harmony now £9,900
 
Last edited:
Gwylan said:
If Harmony is £9900, what price Peace and Tranquility?
Click to expand...
25uh4j9.jpg
 
Hello Sean, when I bought my Hurley 22, I didn't have a survey, I just did as you possibly propose, go over her carefully, when I sold her the new owner took my word for it and also didn't have a survey but I would say, my boat was very well cared for and was anti fouled properly every year and included new sails etc. However, for your own piece of mind, a survey is not a bad idea if the boat is say over ten years old as that is the time to replace standing rigging, also you say the previous owners have one from 2011, that is four years ago and a lot can happen in that time. You could contact the Hunter association to find if there are generally any failures that happen with that particular boat.

My last purchase, I had an independent engine and hull survey, and found there was osmosis which I have had done and I needed a new engine and standing rigging. However, having found the defects via the surveyors, I was able to negotiate the asking price down. The replacement engine was in fact my choice.

It is your choice of course and Hunter boats have a good name but many modern production boats do not have as good a build quality as some older ones as in the thickness of the hull lay up so find out if the boat has been winterised ashore, feel the anti foul, if it is flaking off then it could need stripping back to the gelcoat, you will get a feeling when viewing the boat if she has really been looked after, condition of canvas ware, sails, running rigging, standing rigging, lights, deck fittings, sea cocks, stanchions, guard wires, anchor and chain. Hear the engine running, have a marine engineer with you and good luck! Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

A
HELP! Trapper 300 Restoration - Seeking Blueprints for a Unique Family Yacht!
Replies
2
Views
266
Neeves
N

Share this page

Top