Having been in the marine biz for a very long time, and having performed any number of surveys, I think I can reasonably ask the question: "Do you want to know the condition of the boat to a critical degree?", or the alternative question, "Does my lender want to know the value of the object they are going to inherit should you fail to pay them
money."
Those are two different surveys, and two different surveyors. Banks want one, potential owners want the other. The loan survey is pretty basic and serves to make a paper-pushing desk jockey happy. A potential owner wants factual details that will reveal more about what expenses will they face in coming months and years.
In the event you can't find a real
surveyor (one that actually provides you with constructive information) then you must do so via a variety of other specialists. For example, in the area of mechanical knowledge, pay a very competent mechanic to obtain an
oil sample for analysis. Run the
engine and examine the
exhaust under varying levels of
RPM, at the
dock with spring lines, in forward and reverse
gear. Better if you can go for a spin with the mechanic so he (or she) can place their ear to a bulkhead and "listen" to all the sounds that are transmitting throughout the boat, and conclude what is making those sounds. You want him to "feel" the gearshift, throttle, kill cable and
steering, then go inspect those sites while someone else monkeys with the
wheel and controls. You want to have placed a "diesel diaper" under the
engine to see what leaks out while running the engine. You want the mechanic to inspect the entire drive train, from the alignment of the engine to shaft coupling, the intermediate bearings, the shaft log (when the shaft is making turns and when it has stopped turning) to check for leakage and temperature. A really prepared mechanic will have an infrared heat gun to check for hot spots. The
rudder and
steering system deserve a lot of attention. When you actually haul the boat for the final
inspection, pay for the
rudder to be dropped and know that that critical piece is healthy. The owner probably will refuse to pay for it. That might be a clue to your inspections.
A rigger needs to come visit the boat, actually raise the
sails and furl them, go to the masthead and confirm that the
equipment is in good
repair and
maintenance. The
sails need to be eyed to reveal areas of damage or poor shape. Winches, leads and
cleats need to be checked out carefully. Play with the stuff to feel how it works, listen for squeaks and binding that indicate lack of
maintenance.
A competent electrician will remove the
electrical panel cover and look around for evidence of
DIY work, usually manifested by lack of wire labelling, chaos and tangles of
wiring (often of inadequate size or type), fusing and dampness. Also, (s)he will inspect the house and start
batteries, using a
battery tester (the 12 volt toaster
oven type) to determine remaining
battery capacity, also using hydrometer, should the
batteries be flooded, to see if significant sulfation is building up. All the
electronics need to be put through their paces to make sure they are worth the additional
price the owner is touting for them. If they are older than five years, don't allow for that argument. And when you replace them, pull the stick down and replace all of the
electrical wiring,
vhf antenna,
wind instruments, disassemble the masthead sheaves, remove and replace all of the spreader bolts ad
compression sleeves, and even repaint the
mast if it's older than about ten years since the last
overhaul. Or don't. Life should have some degree of uncertainty to add zest and excitement.
These things are expensive and time consuming to check out. The bank guy won't even be able to pronounce some of the systems, the majority of surveyors don't have the time or inclination to climb into the
bilge, lazarette or engine compartment, much less open the electrical panel. They will "tap" for dry
rot, inspect for
hull blisters, and check for stains that indicate leaks. They have to do something for the $300-500 they will charge. My preventive maintenance surveys cost about $2000 for a forty-foot boat, run to about fifteen or twenty pages, and document every
single fixture or piece of
equipment that is aboard that wears out or stops working. Not many folks want that degree of foreknowledge or cost prior to taking
ownership of their dream boat.
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