Marine Surveyor Recommendations ? - Adelaide, South Australia

[Serenity01]

Hi there folks,

Well we've found the boat, a Steel hull 38ft Pugh Windsong and are ready to make an offer and get a survey done. Has anyone had a survey performed in Adelaide recently? And would they recommend anyone?

Any other advice regarding surveys in general would be greatly appreciated. I think we have the basics covered such as getting an independent surveyor, being there for the survey and making sure they check everything we want checked like the rigging to the top of the mast and the hull and bilge for any rust issues.

Many thanks for your time,

Mike and Cait.

[SayGudday]

Gudday Serenity01,

Sorry to clutter up your post with non-answers but Adelaide is my home town and I've been away for coming up on 20 years. How are things back on the home front?

[Serenity01]

Can't really tell you much, been living in Melbourne now for about 3 years. It was fine when I left and don't think much has changed. Can't decide whether to leave her in Adelaide or sail her back to Melbourne. Adelaide is much cheaper for berths and you can live-aboard. Can't live-aboard in Melbourne, too many rich snobs.

I have found a Surveyor and will post some info after I have delt with him. Not sheduled until the 22-1-11.

[Boracay]

You may not be able to find a steel boat specialist in SA. I had difficulty finding a good surveyor in Sydney...

Have you pre surveyed the boat? By this I mean gone through the boat with a fine tooth comb taking many photographs, checked out some of the posts on surveying in general and steel boats in particular on this Forum, searched the internet for checklists and asked knowledgeable friends (the ones without rose coloured glasses) for their opinion.

If you can find an experienced steel boat owner and get him/her to glance over the boat so much the better. There may be some steel boat builders in your area, or a firm that repairs steel boats.

Try to get a list of what's included (an inventory...) in the sale.

After doing this sit down in a quiet place, go through all your information, draw up a list of needed repairs, modifications and upgrades and cost them out. Work out what the total cost of purchase is and if you can afford it.

Getting separate survey of the rig, the engine and installation, the sails and see if doing a sea trial is feasible.

And finally, having done all that, if you still want to buy the boat, get the best surveyor you can find and read their report very, very carefully.

Some intending buyers have discussed their plans in detail on this Forum. Only you know if this is right for you.

Do be prepared to walk away at any time, and don't worry about not getting your dream boat. Boats pop up all the time.

[Serenity01]

Thanks Boracay.

I have been over it myself twice for several hours. Photos, messurements, pulling draws and boards out everywhere. We even slept in the yacht over night at the marina to get a feel for the rear cabin. The fact is it feels almost too good compared to the other yachts I have looked at - I can't find any rust except small amounts on two if the portholes that have hardened seals that need replacing. The Engine sounds perfect from cold start and it will get a compression test. I have gone with a surveyor that is a memebr of AIMS and he is going to check the hull out of the water, rigging, sails etc. I must say it was pretty hard to find anyone to perform a survey let alone someone who specialised in steel hulls.

I'm pretty sure this is the boat and hopefully the survey will confirm it but I am well prepared to walk away if there any serious problems. The current owner seems very geniune and has made no attemps to hide anything from me (that I know of anyway). He has also agreed on a sea trial after the survey to finalise the deal. My offer was always subject to survey and sea trial results so i'm covered there.

I have spent the last few days pricing up the things it needs that I currently know of including auto pilot, GPS, solar pannels and AGM batteries. It really adds up quickly. Anyway, I will have more info after the 22-1-11 and I will post the results.

[SayGudday]

Lived in Melbourne for a few years as a kid, always liked it and have good friends there. Now back to what's important i.e. your boat! where are you thinking of sailing?

[Serenity01]

Originally Posted by SayGudday

Lived in Melbourne for a few years as a kid, always liked it and have good friends there. Now back to what's important i.e. your boat! where are you thinking of sailing?

We intend to spend 6 months doing some mainatainance work and a minor fitout - mostly electronics. Once we are confident with the yacht - and our selves - we will head up the east coast and the plan is to head up to SE Asia. We are still looking at Asia and trying to decide where to go - there are so many options.

Biggest issue ATM is deciding whether to leave the yacht in Adelaide ($65p/w for a marina berth with live-aboard facilities) or move it back to Melbourne where we are living and pay at least double the moring cost with no live-aboard options. I will have the berth at no charge in Adelaide untill the end of March as part of the deal if we go ahead so theres no rush.

[SayGudday]

Good luck, mate! Keep us posted on your progress

[Serenity01]

Well the survey is done and I am disappointed to say that I was not very impressed with the level of detail and the effort he put in. Had I not been so confident in my own inspection I would be very concerned.

I won't go into great detail unless you would like me to. Please PM me as I don't won't to publicly slander his work - it's a small world (especially Adelaide ) and I don't need the headaches.

We have decided to go ahead with the purchase anyway as we are still very confident that we have made the right choice and the price seems right to us. So, as of next Monday-ish we should be the new owners of Bass Voyager - 38ft Steel Pugh Windsong.

Thanks guys,

[Laidback]

That Boat is in very good nick, has been well cared for. Have to invest in a better anchor (keep this one for S.E.Asian waters.) The Dunny is the best you can buy for a boat - it will pass a tennis ball !!!
What a nice boat!!