A Good Surveyor Does Not Guarantee a Good Survey

[a64pilot]

The guy that is going to do my survey retired from that the factory that made them, he was the plant manager at one point. I know airplanes and not boats, but in airplanes people tend to specialize. I would say look for one that specializes in the brand of boat your looking at

[boatpoker]

10 Questions to ask about your Surveyor

[thruska]

The survey we got is not signed by the guy who did the survey. But signed by someone else. The "surveyor"SA actually mistook a vent at midships portside for the fuel vent which is on the transom. Other discrepancies are also present, as his ruler measures differently than mine.!

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

10 Questions to ask about your Surveyor

Thanks for that.

[thruska]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The guy that is going to do my survey retired from that the factory that made them, he was the plant manager at one point. I know airplanes and not boats, but in airplanes people tend to specialize. I would say look for one that specializes in the brand of boat your looking at

Without certification any insurance company or bank will likely refuse to recognise the survey. Because he was plant manager doesn't necessarily qualify him, unless he was hands on in the processes of manufacture. Is the company still in existence?

[thruska]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

10 Questions to ask about your Surveyor

Very helpful, thanks. I guess I was on the right track?
This thread has been quite educational.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by thruska

Without certification any insurance company or bank will likely refuse to recognise the survey. Because he was plant manager doesn't necessarily qualify him, unless he was hands on in the processes of manufacture. Is the company still in existence?

He is a certified surveyor and yes this particular company still exists, as odd as that is.
Only point is people tend to specalize, if your buying a Cessna, don't have someone that mostly works on Pipers do the pre-buy inspection, You want someone that knows Cessna's inside and out and know where the problem areas are and where to look and what to look for.
I would bet boat surveyors are the same, they each have a few makes they are more familiar with than others, so a real Catalina expert may not know as much about an Island Packet

[thruska]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

He is a certified surveyor and yes this particular company still exists, as odd as that is.
Only point is people tend to specalize, if your buying a Cessna, don't have someone that mostly works on Pipers do the pre-buy inspection, You want someone that knows Cessna's inside and out and know where th7e problem areas are and where to look and what to look for.
I would bet boat surveyors are the same, they each have a few makes they are more familiar with than others, so a real Catalina expert may not know as much about an Island Packet

Perhaps, but it is not likely that a boat surveyor is going to pass and recommend another . So best to educate oneself and vet any surveyors thoroughly. In my humble opinion...

[thruska]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

He is a certified surveyor and yes this particular company still exists, as odd as that is.
Only point is people tend to specalize, if your buying a Cessna, don't have someone that mostly works on Pipers do the pre-buy inspection, You want someone that knows Cessna's inside and out and know where the problem areas are and where to look and what to look for.
I would bet boat surveyors are the same, they each have a few makes they are more familiar with than others, so a real Catalina expert may not know as much about an Island Packet

Btw, its great that you found this guy and I would encourage to let others know of his particular specialization on an appropriate forum for that type of boat.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by thruska

Without certification any insurance company or bank will likely refuse to recognise the survey.

I wish this was true but take a look at some the these surveys accepted by insurance companies.

Granted these are from Canada but it's not much different in the US

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by thruska

Perhaps, but it is not likely that a boat surveyor is going to pass and recommend another . So best to educate oneself and vet any surveyors thoroughly. In my humble opinion...

That is right.
My surveyor was supposedly the guru on that boat type.

There were so many things he did not know that I knew from reading about the boat it was not funny. Expensive. Not funny.

[thruska]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I wish this was true but take a look at some the these surveys accepted by insurance companies.

Granted these are from Canada but it's not much different in the US

Wow ! In my humble estimation, it would seem that it is often not what we know but whom we know ?! !

[Capt Phil]

Originally Posted by thruska

Wow ! In my humble estimation, it would seem that it is often not what we know but whom we know ?! !

There should be nothing humble about your estimation! You are dead right IMHO. I would ask the insurance Co. to appoint their own surveyor but if I had the yard manager from the factory where the boat as built, I would trust his opinion about 50-1 over some dorky surveyor with the certs's who doesn't know his ass from a hot rock when it comes to being familiar with your boat. Go with your gut, Mate!! Phil

[Capt Phil]

I'm an experienced owner, delivery skipper and commercial operator of vessels over 200 tons, althought only licensed up to 100 tons and my opinions of marine surveyors is well known from other posts both commercially and pleasure craft so don't be buffaloed by some insurance geek who doesn't know the pointy end from the blunt end sitting an office in Iowa trying to make a judgement... go higher in the organization if you have to! Phil

[ccannan]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

Too many folks think that a survey is an absolute must before a boat purchase is closed on. A surveyor should only be used as an additional resource to your own evaluation and common sense. A surveyor should only be used AFTER you have gone through the vessel on your own or with a knowledgeable friend. Identify areas of concern to you to the surveyor and accompany him/her on their inspection. Question, question, question... you are paying for their expertise. Don't waste time on issues that you have scoped out yourself. Really a good idea to get several references from former clients, not brokers. Make certain they are experienced in surveying the make and model of the vessel you are considering. If your surveyor of choice is experienced in working on high end muscle power boats and you are buying a cruising sailboat, you're making a poor choice! Surveys for insurance purposes is something entirely different. Good luck! Phil

This is very wise counsel especially if you are purchasing a mass produced boat (made in the US). However, there are very few if any competent US surveyors with any experience surveying aluminum hull boats. Beware!