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Old 12-04-2011, 11:41   #1
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Survey Missed BIG Issues: My Loss?

Hi all,
End 09 I bought a boat. Directly afterwards it became obvious there was cracking in hull. Repair job of 4k. This month it turned out survey missed ripped off bulkhead/stringer (which caused crack to reappear). This will set me back 20k. What are my options? Has anybody ever been in a similar situation? Surveyor has excellent reputation.
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Old 12-04-2011, 11:52   #2
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

Are you asking this 1.5 years later?
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Old 12-04-2011, 11:55   #3
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

yep... no indication something big was wrong until crack reappeared.
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Old 12-04-2011, 13:32   #4
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

Speak with an attorney
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Old 12-04-2011, 13:36   #5
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

I also agree get some legal advice.

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Old 12-04-2011, 13:50   #6
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

Welcome aboard and enjoy CF.

Was the broken damaged stringer visible without tearing paneling off to see it. Can't inspect areas that are hidden behind fixed panels, etc.

Check to see if that model boat has a history of that damage, if so, surveyor could have looked closer.
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:00   #7
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

I suspect that you will have to eat it. Because of the lapse of time, they can claim the damage occurred post survey plus some things are difficult to see without disassembly.

I've had surveys done on my current boat and the prior boat. In both cases the surveyor missed some biggies. Some because he didn't see it, and others due the owner hiding things. For example, the reason a water tank was empty was because it was leaking. If the banks and the insurance company didn't require them, I'd do my own. Actually, before I get to the point of hiring a surveyor I do try to do my own. Nevertheless, as the prospective new owner I know I have stars in my eyes and its nice to have another opinion.

I'm sorry for your predicament,
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:24   #8
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Re: survey missed BIG issues, my loss?

That sucks. I fear you will end up eating the cost of repairs.
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:36   #9
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Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ari11 View Post
Hi all,
End 09 I bought a boat. Directly afterwards it became obvious there was cracking in hull. Repair job of 4k. This month it turned out survey missed ripped off bulkhead/stringer (which caused crack to reappear). This will set me back 20k. What are my options? Has anybody ever been in a similar situation? Surveyor has excellent reputation.
Read the disclaimer made by the surveyor on the report and don't make the lawyers richer and yourself poorer.

Greg
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:42   #10
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Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

surveyors only survey for the bank and insurance cos. they are not a guide for what is wrong with boat. they are not in htis to do any but make sure boat is basically seaworthy and not gonna be outlived by the bank loan or suffer replacement by ins company. i donot understand why all think the surveyors word is god---m y boat was surveyed poorly on 2 previous occasions. i am smarter than most surveyors, as i was able to find the stuff that was wrong. you are smarter than a surveyor if you are able to find and look at and buy a boat and know what is really wrong with her. always take a camera with you to see into places unable to be seen into by eyes. always look into th hidden areas and make sure no problems exist.poke the wood so you know is good or rotty.make sure no fresh water markson the interior wood. look under engine and un der packing gland for electrolysis and for salt water residue. research your potential purchase prior to buying. i was told this by a surveyor with an excellent reputation.
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:46   #11
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Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

A written disclaimer does not give the surveyor a carte blanche pass in all cases of liability. 20k in repairs is a huge issue and if it can be shown that
in this particular case that something "Usual and customary" in this survey was missed I would suggest the disclaimer isn't woth the paper it was written on. Many lawyers will give a free initial consultaion. Even if I had to pay an hour of the gents fee to find out my potential options to me it would be money well spent. I would also think the surveyor is carrying insurance for this type of problem.
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:48   #12
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Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

Had a great surveyor who missed rotten chainplate bulkeads. They were hidden and impossible to access without ripping up the boat which we couldn't do. We figure we probably over paid on the boat by about $15,000. SInce it was impossible for anyone to spot it without disassembling the boat, we don't begrudge our surveyor at all. We are just chalking it up to boat education which is unfortunately, never inexpensive.

Sorry you took the hit, but it does happen.
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:57   #13
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Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

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Many lawyers will give a free initial consultaion. Even if I had to pay an hour of the gents fee to find out my potential options to me it would be money well spent.
Oh yeah... lawyers are SO much more trust worthy and honest than marine surveyors.

And free consultation is a perfect definition of the old saw "you get what you pay for".

Hey, while you're at it, why not sue the previous owner for failure to disclose a known defect, and the yard that did that first repair, for failure to find the underlying cause of the cracks....

Maybe you can sue the owners of CF if you get bad advice on this thread?
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Old 12-04-2011, 14:58   #14
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pirate Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

This boils down to the 'Shi*t Happens' ctagory...
Yes it sucks but regardless of what anyone says the time elapsed factor is too great... the fact is a survey is not worth the paper its written on 24hrs after you get it...
Bit like car inspections (MOT's in the UK).... take it to another depot 24hrs after a pass and I'll give you odds it'll fail..
Learn your boat... and general construction and next time do your own survey... kicking yourself for getting it wrong is infinitly preferable to kicking yourself about someone you've paid...
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Old 12-04-2011, 15:17   #15
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Re: Survey Missed BIG Issues: My loss?

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Originally Posted by doug86 View Post
Oh Hey, while you're at it, why not sue the previous owner for failure to disclose a known defect, and the yard that did that first repair, for failure to find the underlying cause of the cracks....

Thats not the point here, the OP hired the surveyor in good faith with a fair expectaion that his expert knowledge would protect him from issue that he either doesn't understand or have knowledge of. If extensive disassembly was required to disclose the issue thats one thing, once again if this is an issue that through due dillegence or normal and customary procedures should have been discovered he may have an argument.


Maybe you can sue the owners of CF if you get bad advice on this thread?
Probably a very good point, reminds me to pick my word carefully.
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