Yacht Surveys - where to go, how much to pay?

[farmerdan79]

Ok, so if I were potentially in the market for my 1st boat, and I had potentially found a 32 ft boat that was quite possibly perfect for my needs, how much would I expect to pay for a survey, who can anyone recommend (Portsmouth/Southampton area) and when should it be done - ie prior to offering (so that price can be adjusted to fit, or after a deposit paid - if so is it commonplace to then be able to adjust price to take account for any major "snags")??

Ta

 

[Tranona]

Suggest you buy the RYA book on buying and selling second hand boats. It goes through the process in great detail and will answer all your questions.

The basic process is that you view the boat, make your offer, agree the price with the vendor, sign a contract to purchase subject to a satisfactory survey, pay a deposit, arrange the survey. If there are issues coming from the survey it may be a basis for renegotiating the price or in extreme cases pulling out. You are responsible for surveyor's cost and any other costs such as haul out.

The surveyor works for you and you rely on his report as once you have accepted the boat you have no comeback with the vendor. There are many surveyors in your area. Suggest you go onto the YDSA site, which has a section on how to choose a surveyor and a list of members by area.

 

[Seajet]

Shop around and get several quotes, survey prices vary a great deal and more doesn't always mean better; I've met some surveyors I'd trust my life to, and some I wouldn't trust with a pencil sharpener !

There are various grades of survey too, from ' I think I know my boat and just want to pay the minimum to keep the insurers happy '

ranging to

' I'm about to spend my life savings on this and am not very experienced, give it the works ! ', so do explain your requirements.

 

[jonic]

Minky sailing posts on here and runs Hamble Marine Surveys so will cover your area. Should come up on Google. He's a good chap.

If not see the YBDSA site.

 

[Boo2]

how much would I expect to pay for a survey

£500-£600. If I were you I'd check these forums by using a google search with "site:ybw.com/forums" and look for surveyor and eg Portsmouth. When you've found a few they will generally supply you with a specimen survey so you can see roughly what you will get.

when should it be done - ie prior to offering (so that price can be adjusted to fit, or after a deposit paid

Yep, as Tranona says, view first, offer 2nd, survey 3rd and renegotiate if required after survey.

if so is it commonplace to then be able to adjust price to take account for any major "snags")??

It's common to find resistance to renegotiation so I would not put in a high offer on the basis that you will be getting every £'s worth of defect back off the seller.

Best of luck,

Boo2

 

[ianat182]

Chrissie, also of these fora is also a marine surveyor(Endeavour Surveyor Ltd- Gosport )Phone 07545597112.

No connection.

ianat182

 

[aquaholic]

I can recommend Graham Whittington from Southern Marine Surveying http://southern-marine-surveys.co.uk/content/view/2/3/ based in Shoreham but will travel, think he is around £12 per foot, nice practical chap, talks to you rather than at you and explains things in laymen terms, also has a good backround in engineering so will give any engines a good look over for you in the price. Has surveyed 2 boats for me and no complaints

 

[Boathook]

The more you pay hopefully the better the survey. Much better to use a good surveyor on the 'cheap' rather than a poor quality surveyor who is expensive. I have used a Clive M Smith based at Freshwater IOW in the past. Found him very good and gave a fair description of my boat when he did the last survey.

 

[Spyro]

As others say it's quite common to ask for a quote when you've found a list of surveyors, £600 sounds like too much.

 

[Csail]

Don't understand surveys, first question i would ask is ' do you sail' Our surveyor missed loads of things.

 

[minkysailing]

Ok, so if I were potentially in the market for my 1st boat, and I had potentially found a 32 ft boat that was quite possibly perfect for my needs, how much would I expect to pay for a survey, who can anyone recommend (Portsmouth/Southampton area) and when should it be done - ie prior to offering (so that price can be adjusted to fit, or after a deposit paid - if so is it commonplace to then be able to adjust price to take account for any major "snags")??

Ta

Farmerdan79,

1. The average price charged for a full pre-purchase survey is around £12 per ft. Some surveyors will charge more, others less. Some surveyors will charge for travel others not.

2. Sequence of events leading up to a survey:-

-Find the right boat, view, make an offer (subject to survey)
-Sign a contract and pay a deposit
-Appoint a survey
-Review surveyor's report, conclude sale or re-negotiate.

Best of luck.

 

[farmerdan79]

Thanks all, for info so far!

 

[albionahoy]

Welcome!

I don't know how you can access my old posts (still newish to this after a year), but I got some cracking advice when I posted the same. Chrissie always helpful online and we were very happy with Simon May (Boatyard Surveys) who we went with for sched reasons, and did a superb survey - haven't found anything that he didn't...