To Survey or Not ?

[maytrix]

In most cases, I would see this as a no brainer and would go with a survey, just as I would do a house inspection.

BUT, in this case we are looking at buying a boat that has time left in a charter program and at the end of the program, they will do a phase out of it and at that time I would definetely have a survey performed and point out anything that needed work.

Is this a good idea? Bad idea? Should we do a survey both now and prior to the phase out?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[skipmac]

If you will finance the purchase or if you will insure the boat you will have to get a survey. If the boat is insured in the charter program and you are paying cash then you could get away without one. BUT, is the boat guaranteed structurally sound by the charter company? If not and you don't feel competent to do it yourself then get a survey.

[MarkJ]

Absolutly get it surveyed! The charteres may have had it on the rocks or a hurricane may have had it on its side.

[marc2012]

Have been around,worked on & owned boats all my life.If survey is required then no choice.I have yet to have one surveyed & have never seen one that is even close to accurate.Have three on present boat from po's,recomedations longrer rolls.softer paper.marc

[David_Old_Jersey]

An interesting one. If Vendor is a private individual I would get a survey - just in case. Would also want the Charter Agreement looked at to make sure as complete / good as Vendor claims.

But I would probably skip a survey now if Vendor was the Charter Company itslef and was large / reputable and the purchase agreement (together with the Charter Agreement) guaranteed the condition of the boat at end of charter period (and if I was happy with the wording - a potential stumbling block that).

To be blunt, if the mast was shaped like a banana now or the keel was only hanging by a thread , it wouldn't greatly bother me - as long as I felt very comfortable that these would be addressed at handover (and plusses to having replacements anyway). After all, even passing a survey doesn't mean that this time next week the mast won't be shaped like that Banana

Of course, not my money = not my problem

[maytrix]

I'll have to review the contract - I haven't seen that part yet. My thinking was the same as DOJ - If the contract says they will return the boat to me at the end of the contract with no major damage or any damage repaired (as I understand that to be the case), then I guess I could go without. We wouldn't sign without seeing it ourselves first at least. The boat is in Charter with Sunsail.

I guess I'm still on the fence, but might lean a little more towards a survey depending on the contract wording. And it seems since we will be financing that it is necessary anyway.

Any suggestions on a survey company in Tortola?

[maytrix]

So no recommendations on a surveyor in BVI? I thought I read a thread where someone posted a very good experience with one in BVI, but I couldn't seem to find it.

[twarthen]

Leaping in with both feet, as nearing retirement, and considering purchasing used boat in UK. Am persuaded of value of survey, but, retained absolute incompetent for house inspection some years ago, and want recommendations/references from anyone who has actually used a surveyor in the UK and was impressed with their ability and the substance and thoroughness of their survey work. My reading to date implies that some surveyors will only evaluate rigging at deck level. Would then appreciate recommendations/references for rigging specialists to evaluate rigging aloft. Any other experience-based advice on purchasing a used sailboat will be appreciated.

[maytrix]

We did decide to do a survey. In our case it was more of a question of how important is it to do now and to ensure the hull's integrity is still good we realize we must do it now.

So I'd say a survey is important and probably the most important thing is the integrity of the hull. Other things can be fixed.

[nautical62]

Good choice to go with the survey. I have a boat in charter that will be going on the market soon. While I believe they've done a very good job taking care of it, one never knows, especially considering some charterer may not have wanted to own up to a hard grounding or something like that.

You'll probably need the survey for insurance anyways.

[bvimatelot]

Originally Posted by maytrix

So no recommendations on a surveyor in BVI? I thought I read a thread where someone posted a very good experience with one in BVI, but I couldn't seem to find it.

Try Geoff Williams at West Indies Marine Surveys or Bill Bailey at Caribbean Surveyors. Both BVI based, both excellent, both well used to the charter fleets and boats therein. Nothing much to choose between them so I recommend Both impartially!

If the boat is coming out of the Sunsail fleet the phase-out manager is Rob Ansell who us probably one of the best and most conscientious "boat-looker-afterers" that I know. It is important to get a relationship with this department: the more interest you show in your boat, the more will get done (squeaky wheel and all that sort of thing)

Tony

[maytrix]

Thanks. I ended up going with Michael Hirst from Robert Hirst and Co.

Boat still has 2 high seasons left in Sunsail, but we'll be sure to get to know Rob

[svrodeorm]

Originally Posted by marc2012

Have been around,worked on & owned boats all my life.If survey is required then no choice.I have yet to have one surveyed & have never seen one that is even close to accurate.Have three on present boat from po's,recomedations longrer rolls.softer paper.marc

That's my take on it too.

Bad experience with 'professional' surveyors both on houses and boats.

I make a thorough inspection myself, when younger I used to bring an older guy with the experience and whom I knew and trusted.

[foggysail]

Surveys are grossly over rated unless one has zero knowledge of boats. And a survey is hull and general equipment only, they do not mechanical. Sure, you can pay extra for the mechanical if you have deep pockets. I have had two done at a cost around $750 each and that was 5 years ago. Rates are probably higher today.

Nothing will change my mind on surveys. The chant "OH!!! GET IT SURVEYED!" buys you little. One thing I do recommend is make sure to do an oil test, you can have that done at most auto parts stores.

BUT YOU ARE STUCK IF YOU HAVE ANY INTENTION OF INSURING YOUR NEW PURCHASE. To my knowledge, all insurance companies REQUIRE a survey. Their requirement though does not change my attitude toward them.

Foggy

[NotQuiteLost]

Survey is primarily only useful for hull integrity. Wood and steel, especially require a survey, unless you yourself possess the necessary expertise to make a judgment on the current marine status of the hull.

For rigging, electronics, engines, electrical, etc.. All of that is separate from the issue of the boat's condition. The survey is generally only useful for broad strokes on anything other than hull integrity, which is the most important part of any used boat purchase.