Doubting myself

[twoblocktom]

Well, we made an offer on a cruising boat! Cool right? So when we did the survey we found things I missed completely. Big enough the surveyor, by his actions, said run and don't look back! So it cost us a little but not as much as buying the wrong boat. It worked just like it was intended. The pro we hired saved us! But now is difficult to seriously consider any boat. I know I don't know enough to pick good one. I've been working, not messing with boats. I'm afraid I'll be throwing my hard earned cash away. And we live in Colorado so walking the docks for an education is a costly adventure.

[Paul L]

What make/age boat did you walk from? What did the surveyor find that you missed?

[UNCIVILIZED]

To work on your skills, you can do several things.
- Study surveying. Via websites, books, & periodicals.
- Make a checklist of what to look at, & for in a boat.
- Spend time online, & download full photo albums of boats for sale, & go through them analyzing as much of the boat as you can from each pic. Looking at every detail you can find. And in order to make it even more helpful, have each of you go over the same set of pics seperately, making notes as you go. Then when both of you are "done", sit down & compare notes. So that you cross check each other, kind of like a little bit of both grading tests, & tutoring one another.

All of the above are free, but for the time it costs you. Also, read everything that you can on boat construction, & repair. Ditto on the various systems in boats, such as Nigel Calder's stuff.

[twoblocktom]

I really not badmouthing the boat. It was just more tired than I realized. Cared for cosmetically, but somewhat neglected at the same time. It may be a great deal for someone but the surveyor felt strongly that it was NOT the boat for us. Especially at the agreed price. We knew it was bigger and had more gear than we needed. But we felt good about the deal. I'm just glad he took the time to get to know us a little. Who we are and what we want out of our boat. The on line research is about all I have been able to do and it seems everyone has strong, differing opinions on everything from ex charter boats to the kind of keel, type of anchor to if you need a gun onboard!


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Paul L]

Tom
I asked about the boat type/year and what the surveyor found to get a feel for what you missed on your inspection and what might be expected on that boat. If the surveyor found for example a wet core, then I wouldn't be so hard on your self. If the surveyor says the boat is tired find a better one, then he didn't say much of anything. etc etc

[JPA Cate]

twoblocktom,

First off, good job on selecting a good surveyor who took great care of you. You were very lucky; I hope you realize that personal touch can be very rare.

Secondly, it's really a big ask of yourself to choose a boat -- first time out --because of the experiences you realize you lack. It's REALLY impractical to expect you'll be able to select a "forever" boat, because as you gain more experiences, your values will change, you will recognize higher quality; it's an interactive process.

Ann

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

To work on your skills, you can do several things.
- Study surveying. Via websites, books, & periodicals.
- Make a checklist of what to look at, & for in a boat.
- Spend time online, & download full photo albums of boats for sale, & go through them analyzing as much of the boat as you can from each pic. Looking at every detail you can find. And in order to make it even more helpful, have each of you go over the same set of pics seperately, making notes as you go. Then when both of you are "done", sit down & compare notes. So that you cross check each other, kind of like a little bit of both grading tests, & tutoring one another.

All of the above are free, but for the time it costs you. Also, read everything that you can on boat construction, & repair. Ditto on the various systems in boats, such as Nigel Calder's stuff.

These are good suggestions. Read everything you can. Our ideas about boats really changed as we learned about them.

But as Ann said, finding a surveyor who is really looking out for you and your interests is a big deal. Follow his lead if he is really in your corner. But ask him questions too. If he says no, ask why. Pester him to explain everything until what he says makes sense to you.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

To work on your skills, you can do several things.
- Make a checklist of what to look at, & for in a boat.

Great advice.

Here's a good one:

Boat Inspection Trip Tips | SailboatOwners.com Forums

[emlesnick]

One other thing I might suggest is to take some classes or workshops and tie those in with your boat search.

You will have to travel to look at boats. Although, there were some nice ones on Lake Dillon last time I was home

Im not sure of the type of boat youre looking for but oftentimes there are high concentrations of boats in the hot sailing areas and immediately surrounding. Newport, Annapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, etc.

The book "sailing a serious ocean" is a great read and he talks about many different boats and design features. The author does training and this workshop.


http://www.yayablues.com/documents/C...s_Workshop.pdf

Best of Luck

Go buffs!

[Stu Jackson]

You might also consider doing a search here on "books"

One that might interest you is Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by twoblocktom

Well, we made an offer on a cruising boat! Cool right? So when we did the survey we found things I missed completely. Big enough the surveyor, by his actions, said run and don't look back! So it cost us a little but not as much as buying the wrong boat. It worked just like it was intended. The pro we hired saved us! But now is difficult to seriously consider any boat. I know I don't know enough to pick good one. I've been working, not messing with boats. I'm afraid I'll be throwing my hard earned cash away. And we live in Colorado so walking the docks for an education is a costly adventure.

Can I ask, are you looking to buy a boat while still living in Colorado? Are you saying you want to find a good one, buy it and then move to it, without much experience with what a good suitable boat is? Where are you looking? Can I suggest you find a Catalina 27 or 30 first, move to that, put your stuff in storage, live on it in some marina you like that allows liveaboards on smaller boats, then get a Laser and practice sailing and then start walking the docks and sailing with other folks to get the feel of things. It won't be too hard to sell the Catalina when you are ready to, and you won't lose as much as you might with other boats, and you can coastal cruise with the Cat for experience too. Get on some deliveries as crew, they are a great way to learn... something always goes wrong on a delivery...

[UNCIVILIZED]

I wouldn't feel bad about having missed things that your surveyor found. That's pretty much the point of the survey. And Ann's right in that you were fortunate that did right by you.

The other thing is that you can have spent more time around boats then you have sleeping, & still miss things. I've been around them since I was 3, much of that time professionally. And with world class instruction. Having been part of builds, repairs, systems installation, etc. And yet the stuff that I know that I don't know would fill enough books to overload an 18-wheeler. Let alone the stuff that I don't know exists.

So when I go to look at a boat, for me, or someone else, there are some things where I rely quite heavily on the surveyor. Albeit ususally a specialty surveyor. Such as someone who's smart on electrical systems, or a mechanic & the guys I send the machinery fluids to for analysis. Since compared to those guys, my knowledge is at the mid grade school level. I've got the basics, but not the Undergrad, or Post Graduate wisdoms.

There are plenty of ways to get schooled in boat stuff, aside from self-education as well. Such as classes on engines & training to be a mechanic. Ditto on composites, sails, rigging, navigation... And professionals (good ones), both who are on the support side of boats, & pro sailors, are continually pursuing both types of educational expansion. Since when you stop working to be better, you stop being good. Though they also teach, as that's a sure way to expand your understanding of a thing, as well as showing both yourself, & others, that you're smart on it.

Below is a website of a member here who's a surveyor (boatpoker), & it's a good place to start. Along with the plethora of other suggestions. One other maximally excellent (free) reference tome, is the Dashew's Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia, Vol. II Download it, along with their other books, as well as snagging hard copies. Their stuff's that good.
Marine Surveyor, Port Credit Marine Surveys, Toronto, Ontario
SetSail FPB » Free Books

[UNCIVILIZED]

boatpoker, LOL. I say your name & poof, you appear

[boatpoker]

Twoblocktom, my website is kinda big. I'd suggest you start with Marine Survey 101 which will help you learn how to inspect a boat before you spend anymore money on surveys.

[daletournier]

As Ann said, you did well picking a good surveyor, I just spent $930 on a complete fool, he seriously wouldnt of found any serious problems if there were any, but he did advise me that the flares were out of date!!!!!

Sent from my vivo Y35 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app