Yacht Surveyor

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peterbotto

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Have just had offer accepted on 42ft yacht in Lymington.
The brokers have given me a list of local surveyors but can anyone recommend please both on price and thoroughness.
 
Tony Staton-Bevan ('Abbey Yachts') 01590 645755. Lives locally. Did my survey one day, report (bound, with photos) on my doorstep in Kent the next morning. Nice chap, and happy to discuss on the day and afterwards.
 
There's a huge difference between a good survey and a fast posh-looking one. I've got a very good surveyor, but he's so hard to get hold of already that I've stopped recommending him (he doesn't need any mnore business anyhow!)...
 
At some risk of libel here goes!

Tony S-B Excellent on solid glass, osmosis etc. Not so good on structure, wear and tear. Was convinced marks on a painted deck where stress cracks. Rubbish, says I, it's where the spinnaker pole heel has rubbed. Magnifying glass whipped out and my opinion confirmed.

Don't use him on a sandwich boat, he hates the stuff.

David Hopkins aka Hoppy. I recently sold a boat and he was the purchaser's surveyor. Again, very good on solid glass. Not keen on sandwich. Missed a bit of deck deformation round the chainplates. Not very good on electrics and systems. Was convinced that the batteries had failed, and needed replacement plus rewiring. Real reason, he didn't find the battery switches, which, admittedly are rather hidden away.

Remember, the surveyor is primarily covering his arse. The best surveyor is you. Essential tools for boat buying include: soft nosed hammer, really good torch, small mirror (borrow SWMBO's handbag one), Leatherman, to unscrew panels, lift sole boards etc. Digital camera, brilliant for looking at structure where you can't get your head in (lockers). and considering the purchase when you get home.

The forgoing is all in my opinion!
 
Charles Rossiter of Balfour Rossiter.

Have used him for both our boats and a friend's boat.

Very satisfied with his service
 
Jim Pritchard - did our survey in Hamble last month - excellent job (recommended by a few people to me) - cheaper than Hopkins and excellent follow up - (happy to meet on the boat or chat throught results)

No connection - just a satisfied customer!
 
Why bother with surveyors. All boats are a hole in the water to drop bundles of money. When faults occur use the money you would have paid the surveyor to rectify them.

Count your own rivets and bolts.
 
[ QUOTE ]


Don't use him on a sandwich boat, he hates the stuff.



[/ QUOTE ]

That must have been it then - the boat I asked him to look at was a sandwich boat.
Should have said - IMHO - I'd rather not. Instead he just took the money and produced a load of waffle.

[ QUOTE ]


Remember, the surveyor is primarily covering his arse. The best surveyor is you.



[/ QUOTE ]

Only too true.
Only reason we had a survey done was coz the insurance insisted - boat of 20 years old.
 
If it is GRP...

Tony Statton-Bevan is local (Abbey Yachts). Surveyed 2 for me, one a 'walk away from', but had good contacts and recommendations for restoration works. When I advised the broker Tony was my surveyor he suggested that this would be the 'kiss of death' for the sale (though it was a new listing so I don't think the broker knew any more than I did at that stage).

Second survey was on the money, picked up a number of items I hadn't and entered into dialogue freely with me and vendor to help deal with rectifications and complete the deal.

Nothing serious has cropped up that would lead me to question his findings.
 
I have used Jim Pritchard - seemed quite professional and a very thorough report. Otherwise, look at the value of the boat and work out survey fee's as a %. If it's insignificant comparred to the oveall costs - get a survey, if it's a fairly large % or a cheap boat then survey it yourself.

But a 42 footer - probably not an insignificant sum, you'll want insurance - I probably would, if only for piece of mind.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have just had offer accepted on 42ft yacht in Lymington.
The brokers have given me a list of local surveyors but can anyone recommend please both on price and thoroughness.

[/ QUOTE ]

You do not have to stay in their list and second - you don't have to stay with local guys ... There are many outside of the locale who do good jobs and for reasonable price ...

Personally ? I'd look outside of Lymington ... IMHO. But that's as far as my rec''d will go ... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Fickle lot on these forums.....
I originally suggested T S-B because I'd employed him a few years ago and I thought he did a good job for the money (basic structural survey, conventional GRP bath-tub). And I gave him my business partly because I'd read several favourable comments about him on, er, let me think.....yes, it was in these forums!
Not that I'm holding up a flag for him, it's just all faintly amusing......
 
[ QUOTE ]
Fickle lot on these forums.....
I originally suggested T S-B because I'd employed him a few years ago and I thought he did a good job for the money (basic structural survey, conventional GRP bath-tub). And I gave him my business partly because I'd read several favourable comments about him on, er, let me think.....yes, it was in these forums!
Not that I'm holding up a flag for him, it's just all faintly amusing......

[/ QUOTE ]

FDon't include me in any that rec'd surveyors .. I have only ever rec'd one and that was a long time ago ... Adrian White .. and I would still do so today ... but decided not to. Why ? Because so many have different views and experiences ... as to TSB .. I will not be drawn on that .. suffice it to say he will never set foot on any boat of mine by choice - but that is my personal opinion ... others can and will differ.
 
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