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SV Bacchus · 16-09-2017, 13:53

We have a contract on a yet to be seen by us 42' Leopard. The boat is being brought to Florida by the owner and we have extended the contract due to his travel restrictions, i.e. Irma and bad weather.

Now I am wondering when the boat gets here, third to fourth week of September barring anything unforeseeable due to Jose, Lee or TS15 (soon to be named Maria), will we have trouble finding a surveyor that is cat knowledgeable due to the high demand for hurricane damage surveys?

I briefly spoke with my agent (buyer's agent) via email and he said "no problem, I'll help you with that and insurance when the time comes." Ahhh, but there is a slight rub there in that his broker also employs the listing agent.

If I were to take his assistance in finding a surveyor should I worry since both agents are under the same roof? Or, if the surveyor is NAMS or SAMS certified should I feel comfortable?

We want the boat and are eager but don't want to have the wool pulled over our eyes in time of international disaster straining resources.

S/V Illusion · 16-09-2017, 14:36

Sounds like to already know the issue of using a selling broker's surveyor.

Unless there is some compelling need to expedite your purchase, it seems fair that the poor guys who own damaged boats who can't proceed with an insurance claim should have priority over everyone else's new toy. Put yourself in their position and see what you think...

SV Bacchus · 16-09-2017, 15:18

Illusion I'm with ya. We are anxious but willing to wait, as long as the seller is.. We do have to finance a portion so need the survey and afraid the seller doesn't want to wait. There may be many with money ready to step in a take it away if the field of available, undamaged boats has diminished.

Lifelong Florida resident so very in tune with loss due to canes' as I've lost stuff myself. I am cognizant of the pain of others and wouldn't want to prolong their agony. Maybe this is all for naught, maybe there will be surveyors available.

Once I have a firm date for arrival in Florida, again depending on the three named storms in the Atantic and possibly threatening FL, I will begin trying to secure my own surveyor.

sailorboy1 · 16-09-2017, 16:46

You should be there with the surveyor during the survey and should know what needs checking. There is lots of lists etc c available to help for a survey. So I feel to just assume a surveyor is bad etc is a buyer not doing their homework issue.

SV Bacchus · 17-09-2017, 00:54

Good point SB!

Sometimes I read other posts and wonder "why did they say or ask that?" and I now realize it is giddiness and excitement over wanting something for so long and it is finally so close you can almost see it.

I've reread my initial post and realize it wasn't something I would normally ask but in my excitement, well..

SVTwilight · 17-09-2017, 08:25

I know from talking to people in S FL in the last few days that it is just about impossible to get a good surveyor and equally difficult to get an insurance binder, since the insurance companies are buried with losses and claims.

I have used a lot of surveyors and the best one I have found currently is in FLL. If you need his info PM me...

SV Bacchus · 17-09-2017, 20:13

PM sent!

DeepFrz · 17-09-2017, 20:30

And do your own survey as well. It seems that surveyors often miss some very important and expensive items. You may be able to point out some items that need to be on the list of repairs required.

SV Bacchus · 18-09-2017, 11:36

Good point as well Deep.

LLizzard · 18-09-2017, 12:25

I just lost my 42 Leopard in Nanny. As soon as the 2 new Yanmar engine packages ($38k) were in and certified via sea trial with Yanmar reps on board on Friday, she was moved to Nanny Cay over the weekend. Insurance was transferred to my name on Monday and she was flipped by that bitch Irma Wed. (I owned her 5 days)

Normally I would say find a different surveyor than the listing brokerage recommends, and insurance too. But these are not normal times. Go with their surveyor if you can get him, but be present and be prepared with a list of questions and areas you want to be inspected closely and watch the process carefully. If you can get competitive insurance quotes, do so. If not, go with their insurance for now. You can always change it when the policy expires.
The inventory of 42 Leo's is less than it was 2 weeks ago, so if pricing is acceptable, you need to move the deal forward, IMHO.
PM me with any 42 specific questions.
jeff

SV Bacchus · 19-09-2017, 20:47

Holy Crap Lizzard, so sorry to hear about your experience and losing your 42! So sad.

We are stoked about the boat and if I can't nail down an independent surveyor I will use one off "their list" they supply. They tell us we have to pick one as they don't make recommendations and don't want to be involved. Hmmm, crap I think. Their list, their buddies!

Already reading up on doing my own survey so I can get in the thick of it with him/her on survey day!

Thanks all for the suggestions and thanks Lizzard for the encouragement to make this move forward.