Survey a New Construction Boat?

[Nick & LA]

Hello everyone,
I have a brand new Leopard 44 being delivered from South Africa to Ft Lauderdale.
Question, should I (would you) pay to have it surveyed?

Keep in mind, this is our first boat...

Advice and opinions welcomed

Best
Nick


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[Jim Cate]

Why not? Delivery crews are not always careful with their charges, and it is a long voyage. The cost of survey could be easily recouped with only minor discrepancies being discovered. You are protecting a very large investment. If it is pronounced perfect, your first boat will be better than ANY new boat that I have been around, for they all have at least minor problems, even fresh from the factory and new to the water.

I think that it is a no brainer, but then it isn't my money!

Jim

[Stumble]

I absolutely would. Particularly if you are inexperienced boat owners there is no question I would have someone crawl thru it with a fine tooth comb. While new boats are generally not subject to a long list of bad repairs, they are subject to a long list of buggy equipment that hasn't been fixed yet.

[Chuteman]

..........and pick (get recommendations) a surveyor who does not mind if you follow along. Great way to learn the ins/outs of your new boat + if there is an issue(s) you can see it first hand which will help you emphasize the most critical parts (if any) of the Report with the Builder/Broker.

Hopefully it will be perfect & just give you peace of mind as you sail into the sunset.

[bigpuff]

Some new boats iv been involved with on delivery's have had quiet major problems arise eg.steering cables letting go on a 54fter in 45kts.and the brand new emergency tiller not being able to fit in the deck fitting, deck getting ripped out were the main sheet connected to coach roof in only 30nts of wind, another 50fter. Both times it was very stressful on the new owners dealing with the company's concerned, in time and money.so by all means get it looked over by a surveyor who is familiar with that type of craft

[Blue Skye]

Question to the people who have purchased new and had a survey. If the survey comes back with issues, what recourse does the buyer have? Will the manufacturer fix deficiencies? Sorry for the ignorant question, I have not heard nor read of a situation where a new boat is surveyed.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Nick & LA

Hello everyone,
I have a brand new Leopard 44 being delivered from South Africa to Ft Lauderdale.
Question, should I (would you) pay to have it surveyed?

Some key questions:

1....Have you "accepted" the boat yet?"

If yes.... Then you should have had the independant acceptance survey performed at Factory.

2.... What is the builder's warranty period?

If still under warranty then after this first passage the delivery skipper should give you a full report of issues/problems... (There always are some)
It pays to have a 2nd accredited surveyor inspect and comment on delivered condition... PRIOR to delivery crew cleaning up after passage.

Also do your own detailed inspection.... You have the greatest vested interest!

[JohnT]

Leopards are no longer delivered on their bottoms - they are now shipped and rigged at their destination, with very few exceptions. So, no delivery crew used.

[BigBeakie]

So let me ask a related question. If you hire a surveyor to do a COMPLETE survey and functional check on your bright shiny new boat, and he/she misses something that let's say is quite major, then what? What comeback do you have on the surveyor?

Let's say the first time you are in strong winds a block pulls out of the deck because they did not use high density foam in that area. Or a rudder mechanism fails and the boat is lost like in the case of the Alpha 42?

I guess what I'm asking is what can reasonably be expected from a good survey?

[Pelagic]

No one has answered what are the warranty terms on a Leopard?

Sounds like it will be commissioned after shipping (by who? )

Then the buyer has to accept it as is?

But normally there should be a builder"s warranty period of about a year after delivery.

To the Buyer...I would query your insurance agent for advice..... Since they to have a vested interest

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by BigBeakie

So let me ask a related question. If you hire a surveyor to do a COMPLETE survey and functional check on your bright shiny new boat, and he/she misses something that let's say is quite major, then what? What comeback do you have on the surveyor?

Let's say the first time you are in strong winds a block pulls out of the deck because they did not use high density foam in that area. Or a rudder mechanism fails and the boat is lost like in the case of the Alpha 42?

I guess what I'm asking is what can reasonably be expected from a good survey?

You commission a survey to get the surveyor's professional opinion about what the surveyor can visually see at the time of inspection.
If you want an insurance policy, then you go to an insurance company. Completely different.

[BigBeakie]

Paul L,

That doesn't answer my question. If the surveyor misses something that is clearly under spec or poorly constructed, that had a major impact by failing, then what is the responsibility of the surveyor? I guess legally and liability wise?

[Pelagic]

Paul
The Builder or Buyer are always responsible. Any surveyor is simply a contracted employee who is hired for his knowledge (but not his Infallibility)

Many failures (like your failed block example) can be a latent defect) that neither the surveyor or builder would have discovered without destructive testing).

That is why an acceptance survey and strong warranty negotiations are critical, BEFORE contract signing and last stage payment.

[Nick & LA]

Generally speaking, you'd be correct. But given the labor strike in ZA, our boat was cargo shipped to Tortola with a dozen others... Assembled there and being sailed to Dania Beach


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[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Nick & LA

Generally speaking, you'd be correct. But given the labor strike in ZA, our boat was cargo shipped to Tortola with a dozen others... Assembled there and being sailed to Dania Beach


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Zees ZA... she iz Zouth Africa?

PS I'd get a surveyor if I was in your deck shoes...