Expected pre-purchase survey cost for 2005 Lagoon 400

[EvilRabbit]

I have been quoted $15 USD per foot for a pre-purchase survey of a Lagoon 2005 catamaran. Does this seem a fair rate within the industry?

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by EvilRabbit

I have been quoted $15 USD per foot for a pre-purchase survey of a Lagoon 2005 catamaran. Does this seem a fair rate within the industry?

Depends on what is included. Not sure if the haulout is included with that. Most insurance surveys require a haulout.

[a64pilot]

Beware an inexpensive survey, I'd look for the best surveyor, and pay him or her what they get.
First boat I surveyed, we found problems that caused me to not want the boat, since the surveyor didn't have to write the report up, cost was much less. May want to ask that question too.

[Liam Wald]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Beware an inexpensive survey, I'd look for the best surveyor, and pay him or her what they get.
First boat I surveyed, we found problems that caused me to not want the boat, since the surveyor didn't have to write the report up, cost was much less. May want to ask that question too.

Same here. In one of the surveys I have had the surveyor found issues in the first 15 minutes that disqualified the boat. We had started the survey in water so I didn't need to pay for a haul out. The surveyor only charged one third of the quoted rate because he didn't have to go up the mast or do the write-up.
Also, good advice about cheap surveys. Hire the best not the cheapest.

[EvilRabbit]

Haulout not included

Originally Posted by tomfl

Depends on what is included. Not sure if the haulout is included with that. Most insurance surveys require a haulout.

[EvilRabbit]

Absolutely. Just trying to ascertain if the rates are pretty standard. Equally concerned with a cheaper survey. It does include a pretty good 25 page report with photos.

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Beware an inexpensive survey, I'd look for the best surveyor, and pay him or her what they get.
First boat I surveyed, we found problems that caused me to not want the boat, since the surveyor didn't have to write the report up, cost was much less. May want to ask that question too.

[jdazey]

You asked about a pre-purchase inspection. I paid $25/ft last Fall. Oil analysis and rigging (up the mast) were included. Money very well spent. I'm on the BOD of an insurance pool and see a lot of surveys. This was the best so far.

[er9]

Originally Posted by EvilRabbit

I have been quoted $15 USD per foot for a pre-purchase survey of a Lagoon 2005 catamaran. Does this seem a fair rate within the industry?

i just paid $18 / ft for a very reputable surveyor in southern california. sea trial not included, that was another $125 which i passed on. i also paid haul out seperately to yard. $288 for haul out. no up the mast rigging check included in $18/ft price, just deck level.

[smj]

If a good surveyor it seems very fair.

[JasonS]

We paid $20 foot + travel in 2013 (South Florida) for our survey on a 40' cat. Haul out was additional. This did not include going up the mast or full engine analysis, but was otherwise comprehensive. It did include a sea trial, which can be important. Also a nice full-color report with many photos.

On a sophisticated boat like a Lagoon 400, you certainly want a great survey so you know what areas need attention, for insurance, and for potential negotiations if needed.

I would certainly suggest ensuring that your surveyor is a Accredited Marine Surveyor with SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) and/or The National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMSGlobal), and also a Member of ABYC (American Boat and Yachting Council).

Our surveyor was fantastic at answering questions via email on several boats prior to us ever using him. So much so, that before I ever contracted with him for the survey, I actually sent him a $100 gift card because he was so helpful!

I'd also suggest spending time really critically going through the entire boat PRIOR to hiring the surveyor and taking pictures of anything "suspicious".

You may save yourself the time and expense of surveying a boat that you might decide to pass on. We looked at A LOT of 40 foot cats before hiring the surveyor. Doing some diligence on our own knocked quite a few off the list before we invested in the surveyor.

Good luck - you will find the right boat!

[l2ridehd]

I have had 4 surveys done. I also got a discount when problems eliminated the boat and no report was done. I paid $25 a foot for two of them which included a sea trial and an up the mast rigging inspection. And a very through and complete survey done by a surveyor I would use again. I also paid $15 a foot for another one I rejected and would not hire that inspector again as it was pretty shoddy. No sea trial, no rigging, and a very minimal write up.

So you get what you pay for.

[tikirawker]

Great post!!
I am in the process of getting my first sailboat.
The replies are full of info I had never thought of - Thanks!

I have roughly 20 years of power boat experience and the allure of longer voyages is irresistible.

[mcneilms]

Let's see $25/ft on 40 footer, $1000. On a boat worth $250 to $300,000??? I don't mean to be mean, but this just makes me laugh. I think I would be happy to pay twice that for a great survey. You do know how much repairs cost on boats.
As a side note. Make sure they check it with a Flir. It is very useful in finding problems with the hull.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Garymadhatter]

I just paid $17 per foot and it was worth every penny. Survey detected at fuel tank leak that was expensive to fix (tank replacement) and the owner paid most of. I still bought the boat. Good luck.

[EvilRabbit]

Great stuff here guys thanks so much for the responses. Much appreciated.