Surveyor Recommendation West Coast of Mexico

[piratelooksat40]

Hello all,

We are in the research phase of a potential catamaran purchase in the next few months. We would very much appreciate any recommendations for a good, qualified surveyor that you may have used in the areas of Puerto Vallarta, Sea of Cortez or LA Paz. We would also like to hear from any of you that do NOT recommend a particular surveyor, and why.

We have identified a boat that will be available in April. It will actually be in Puerto Vallarta at the time of the survey.

At the risk of receiving "colorful & spirited" replies.....we are 'noobs' & this will be our first boat purchase. But, we throw that lack of experience on a platter & present it to you all for positive dialog!

Further information, if needed; we would like to have as thorough of a survey completed as possible. Meaning hull, rigging, engines (to include oil analysis) & all major boat systems. Appropriate credentials (as recognized by the insurance industry) are a must (NAMS, SAMS, etc).

I apologize in advance if there has been a recent similar request already posted, but I was not able to find one.

TIA!

[tamicatana]

I can only recommend the best surveyor I know, who is Mike Firestone of Port Aransas, TX. Probably worth flying him in if you can get him.

[piratelooksat40]

Originally Posted by tamicatana

I can only recommend the best surveyor I know, who is Mike Firestone of Port Aransas, TX. Probably worth flying him in if you can get him.

Thank you! I did see his name in a different thread when I was searching for information.

[BobHorn]

Originally Posted by tamicatana

I can only recommend the best surveyor I know, who is Mike Firestone of Port Aransas, TX. Probably worth flying him in if you can get him.

The best surveyor "money can buy".

[piratelooksat40]

Asking a newbie question....being it's a different country, would there be any issues with a work Visa (or other documents) required to perform work in Mexico?

[jdazey]

You might not get all that information from one source. Many surveyors do not go up the mast for rigging inspection. Oil analysis should be available locally. We had a surveyor in FL who handled all that, but his accreditation has lapsed.


Cheers,

[sv_pelagia]

According to the Mazatlan Cruisers' Guide, there are 2 surveyors in Mazatlan:

Marine Services Mazatlan: Rick Cummings Ph. 669-187-0991 Ch 72

Scott Nattrass: s.nattrass@yahoo.com or call 52 1 669 152 7342 , Ch. 72 U.S. Survey Assoc. #9025N

In 2014, we had hull (Marine Services Mazatlan) and engine (Rafa’s Boat Services: 669-994-8012 rafasboatservices@yahoo.com) work done on our boat.

As we were due for an Insurance Survey, and were hauled out there, we had Rick Cummings do the survey while out of the water. Rick is not accredited (at least, not in 2014) but our insurance company accepted his survey after we sent in Rick's CV.

Rick is a sort of "does everything" guy (including rigging).

This is neither a recommendation "for" or "against", just our experience. It worked for us.

FYI, Rafa did good work on our engine (and we'd use him again if we were down south).

One thing we learned in 2 years of Mexico: you can get good work done, often at a very good price, but you must always (regularly) check the work.

[barcoo]

There is one posted in craigslist Puerto Vallarta in boats for sale section