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dinks14 · 14-08-2012, 10:25

My offer was accepted the other day on a 43' 1978 Gulfstar Mark II center cockpit ketch rig. Planning to live aboard and sail for the next couple years here in NH and then head for warmer climates!

I'm scrambling a bit to line up a surveyor within the acceptance period. I obtained a survey that was done 4 years ago by the previous seller. The current owner never had the boat surveyed. The surveyor that performed that survey 4 years ago is available in the time frame. He seems qualified and knowledgeable.

Does anyone think it would be beneficial to have this surveyor look at the boat again now 4 years later or do you think I would be better off with fresh eyes on the boat?

Long time reader, first time poster, and first time boat buyer.
excited and freaking out!

Thanks for the responses.

**skipmac** · 14-08-2012, 10:29

I would pick the best surveyor I could find. Would not care if he or she had seen the boat before or not.

**David M** · 14-08-2012, 10:45

I would take the new set of eyes route.

Cheechako · 14-08-2012, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

I would take the new set of eyes route.

I lean toward this also... then compare surveys! ask around for recommendations on a surveyor... but dont ask brokers....

JoePa · 14-08-2012, 10:52

ask for references from this surveyor and check his rep locally w/ marinas, yacht clubs, brokers, local talent and experienced owners, etc.... good luck

bstreep · 14-08-2012, 18:38

I'm going to go the other way on this. I'd choose the one from before. He/she can then compare the boat from how it was before, to now, and then tell you what has happened to it since. A "before and after" look over the prior owner's time owning the boat.

s/v 'Faith' · 14-08-2012, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstreep

I'm going to go the other way on this. I'd choose the one from before. He/she can then compare the boat from how it was before, to now, and then tell you what has happened to it since. A "before and after" look over the prior owner's time owning the boat.

That SOUNDS good, but he is also likely to miss whatever he missed the first time the second time also...

... I would be looking for a second set of eyes, and would not let them see the old survey until I had their report in hand.

Oh, and yes... I agree. Do not ask the broker!

Celestialsailor · 14-08-2012, 22:59

Not only a second set of eyes but good eyes. I sold a boat in 2000 and the surveyor had pop-bottle glasses and rather robust around the mid-section. There was no way he was going to be crawling into hard to get places.