Panama - Shelter Bay Marina - looking for a CAT surveyor

[ATLAS]

We are closing a deal on a Catana located in Shelter Bay Marine in Panama, and haul out is booked for the 8th of January (where I will be present). Does anyone have experience with - and can recommend a fairly local surveyor, whom is experienced in Catamerans?

Happy New Year All.

Thomas

[Big Kahuna]

Atlas,

I honestly don't recommend the local "professionals". They are more loyal to their countrymen than to you. Spend the extra money and fly down someone whom you trust in, in your local market.

I've worked for a Multihull dealer and have seen what their (panama and other countries) local professionals have said about a boat. Great shape....perfect...only minor issues...and so on. After hearing horror stories getting the boat back up to the good ol' USA did other professionals say the boat was a piece of &%*$, and they would not have recommended buying it.
That's my 2 cents! But others may have different opinions.

[ATLAS]

Thanks for your honest opinion and advise. I'm quite aligned here, and currently in contact with a surveyor form Ft Lauderdale, whom has surveyed several cats.
From the "sales survey", surely much is left to be desired (surveyor - amongst others - describes the rudders as "skeg hung", the propellor as being "stern shaft mounted".....). Somehow undermining the professionalism..
I'm from Denamark; a country where there is very Little (say; "None") experience with multihulls, so a surveyor from Ft Lauderdale seems the most appropiate option, also from a transportation cost point of view.

Again, thanks for your opinion - I'll update once I have made a final decision.

[impi]

Kent from Just Catamarans in Fort Lauderdale can give you good advice on this. I also met Nic (Jedi) on this forum who lives on his boat in Shelter Bay Marina so ask him for some advice ... he is usually very good on the advice he offers on this forum ...

[Jimbo485]

Originally Posted by ATLAS

Thanks for your honest opinion and advise. I'm quite aligned here, and currently in contact with a surveyor form Ft Lauderdale, whom has surveyed several cats.
From the "sales survey", surely much is left to be desired (surveyor - amongst others - describes the rudders as "skeg hung", the propellor as being "stern shaft mounted".....). Somehow undermining the professionalism..
I'm from Denamark; a country where there is very Little (say; "None") experience with multihulls, so a surveyor from Ft Lauderdale seems the most appropiate option, also from a transportation cost point of view.

Again, thanks for your opinion - I'll update once I have made a final decision.

What is wrong with a "Skeg hung" rudder? Seems ok to me. Actually, it seems even better than a non Skeg hung rudder.

A stern shaft mounted prop seems better than a bow shaft mounted prop.

What is YOUR preference?

I have never heard of Denamark, but I have a lot of respect for the descendants of the Vikings. Maybe you should ask the descendants of the Vikings what they think?

[colemj]

I think his problem is that those points listed in the survey do not actually exist on the boat the surveyor was evaluating.

Mark

[Sand crab]

Assuming that it is this one then it has saildrives not shaftdrives. It's in the specs and you can just barely see one in the haulout pic. That's the OPs beef.
2004 Catana 431/43 OCEAN #12765 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[jimmysbliss]

Hi, I was just in the same exact situation as you 4 months ago and bought a Catana 521 in Shelter Bay, Panama. I had to to fly in a surveyor and used Jonathan from Alantic

[jimmysbliss]

I used Jonathan from Atlantic Marine and he did a great job in the big picture. He did miss a few issue, but overall was pleased with my survey and detailed report. He has lot's of experience with catamarans and has surveyed several Catana boats. He gave me a good price, great service and jump on a plane down to Panama. He meet my deadline and was a pleasure to work with.

I saw the boat down when I left to Florida and it looked clean. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way.


Aloha,
David

[ATLAS]

Thanks all for your input.
I have made an agreement with Jonathan and booked him to perform the survey.
He seems like a decent guy with lots of experience surveying cats - so I'm pleased to have him recommended.
Re "skeg hung rudder" vs actual "spade rudder" and "shaft mounted propellor" vs. actual "Sail drive" - think this point is made clear by Colemj....
Placing Denbmark on the map, and elaborating further on the great achievements of the Vikings might be beoynd the purpose of this thread - but happy to start another one for the purpose of that discussion, if necessary

[ATLAS]

UPDATE:
As said, Jonathan did come in to do the survey - and thank you all for recommending him.
He did a very good and professional job, and - as far as I'm aware - have not overlooked anything.
We'll take over the boat in about a weeks time, and then head off. THEN we'll see if something has been owerlooked

So, to recap: I can highly recommend Jonathan as a surveyor of multihulls, and he does have great knowledge and experience for the mechanics and eletrics as well.

[Ricktoon]

This was great use of the forum. Cheers