[Rhodes22-list] How to find a boat surveyor

[Robert Skinner]

Lou Rosenberg wrote:
> >   How does one find a boat surveyor?
>   Although the owner is basically giving this boat away,  I understand I
> need to know what expenses i will incur to bring it up to standards
> that I will feel safe and good about.    That said, I know up front
> this is a 'project boat'  and would expect to have to invest serious
> cash to overhaul it.
>   any one have leads on surveyors in the NYC metro area??
>   Thanks
>   Lou

When I recently bought a used sailboat, I first put together 
a list of the items that concerned me for that type of boat 
and age (based on some experience and the suggestions of 
others who were familiar with the design), and negotiated a 
tentative price with the owner.

In my search for a surveyor, I wanted someone who was near 
the target boat's location to reduce travel expenses from 
the surveyor, and who had a reputation among local marinas 
as honest and competent.

I started with the address of the then current boat owner, 
as the boat was trailerable and in his drive.  I then did 
a search on 

   http://www.switchboard.com
and 
   http://www.whitepages.com

using the category "marine surveyors", listing the closest 20.
I printed that info.

Then I ran another similar search on "marinas", listing the
closest 40, and printed that.  Going thru the "marinas" list, 
I highlighted the biggest boatyards and repair facilities.

Then I called the selected 5 nearest the boat owner's 
residence and called them, asking for recommendations for 
marine surveyors.  

A couple of surveyor's names came up more than once.  I picked 
the closest to the boat, and called him to discuss the items 
that concerned me on the target boat, and his fees for checking 
them out.

As he seemed able and cooperative, and reasonably priced, I
asked him to go look at the boat and examine it for defects in
the hull, soft spots on the deck, condition of the standing 
rigging and sails, whether the outboard would start (can't 
run for long out of the water), whether the trailer wheel 
hubs spun freely, whether the trailer had a 2" ball and a 
flat 4-wire connector, and other less important details.

I provided this checklist in writing via email so there 
could be no misunderstanding, and asked for a verbal report 
of condition and his opinion about the boat's value relative 
to the price.  

Note that a written report and appraisal would have been 
much more expensive.  He did take digital pictures of the 
defects that he found and email them to me before the verbal 
report so I could better understand what he was saying.

The net effect was that I was confident enough of the boat 
to show up with a cashier's check, knowing that the boat 
was ready to tow home, and that it was worth the money.

Hope these ideas help.
-- 
Robert W. Skinner CDP, "Squirrel Haven"
9 Gateway Commons, Gorham, ME 04038-1331