Pre survey inspection

[bes1020]

I am looking to purchase a “new to me” boat. There are several promising looking leads that are being sold by owner rather than a broker. In the past I have found brokers to helpful in that they can often spot red flags on a walk through; saving the expense of a haul out and survey. I am reluctant to involve a broker on these private sales because of the additional expense.

How have you dealt with this in the past? Is there such a thing as an inspection service that can do a walk through prior to spending the money for travel, haul out, and survey; or have you found it beneficial to work with a buyer's broker?

[robert sailor]

Cut a deal with a good surveyor to pay him for a couple of hours of his/her time to do a quick once over then if he has good vibes go ahead and make your offer subject to a survey and test sail.

[leecea]

We did use a buyer's broker but we were only looking a boats being sold by brokers, so they just split the commission. I am not sure I remember them pointing much out to us and they didn't accompany us when looking at boats farther afield, so it was on us to find issues. The main thing we wanted was assurance that everything around the final sale was done correctly. If we had to pay the broker fee it would have been a bit more of a decision.