Information (not) included in survey

M

mlaymance

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2008
RO Number
30630
Messages
56
We were looking at a 30 ft Trojan the other day, when the owner produced a Survey that was taken last year. There was 4 pages total. The first 2 had absolutely no information whatsoever. The third page was a description of the boat. The 4th page was a summary of the different parts and systems. The survey would say something like "115 volt power system. This system is inact with no missing equipment and no visible defects. Buyer should check all systems for operation."

My question is this: Isn't that what you pay a surveyor for? to check all of those systems? For that matter if thats all thats involved in a survey, anyone could do it. I know there has to be more to it than that. I would expect to see a full report of the boat, for instance if there are 5 115 volt outlets, I would expect the surveyor to tell me if they work, or which ones need to be replaced. What I am asking is what information should be included in the report. Perhaps someone has a survey that they have had taken so I can see what I am supposed to get.

I can tell you that if a surveyor handed me this report that I pay him so much for, I would be very upset. Am I expecting too much?

Am I far off here?
 
my last survey was 38 pages and had photos of all major equipment etc...
 
The first thing is that I wouldn't put alot of stock in a survey provided by the Buyer. You should get your own. And while your at it, recognize that not all surveyors are created equal. The good ones have been around a long time, and they've been around a long time because they are through and get repeat business. Many also belong to various accrediting bodies that signify professional standing. My survey was done by an accredited surveyor who was a former engine mechanic. It included a sea trial, fuctional tesing of all components of the boat, sounding of the hull, inspection of the engines, and compression tests on all the cylinders. The only thing he stated in writing was not inspected were areas not visible to his eye without disassembly of major components like bulkheads, settees, or tankage.
 
That was my impression as well. Knowing that, I can now make arrangements for a surveyor to look at it. I will not be using the same surveyor for sure.
 
there are different type of survey... insurance survey, full pre purchase survey, valuation reports, etc... sounds like what you saw was a "light" survey.

a seller supplied survey is of no value... it's barely worth your time to read it unless the seller is honest and really disclosing everything, in that case you may find some clues or details of interest.

In any case, get your own survey if you go ahead using a surveyor that the seller of broker did not recommend.
 
There are different types of surveys. One for buying, one for insurance coverage, etc. BUT the first thing I let a surveyor know is who he is working for. Buy two cups of coffee set down with him and make it clear what your objective is. Never take a sellers/owners survey as having any credibility! The dumbest person you will ever meet is the PO. The stuff they can do a boat is beyond any ones dream.

Oh, and you are not far off....

Good Luck,

El Sea,
Absolute Tank Cleaning
St Petersburg, Fl
 
Don't put any value in a owners survey. The surveys I write for a 30 footer would be appx. 17-20 pages of information, in a 8 font, not including photos. I include everything I see and everything I dont see. Every system is tested and inspected and written up if there are defects. You can use it for an owners manual. To inspect everything, I feel it's an all day job on a 30 ft boat. Get your own survey, if there are problems that you want to fix, it's a great negotiating tool, the small price of a survey can save you a fortune off the asking price.
 
You are on shaky ground if you contract with anyone on the basis of what you "think" they provide. The most important conversation you have with your surveyor is the first one. That's where you discuss, in advance, your expectations of what you are looking for in a detailed way. You and the surveyor need to come to agreement on the standard of evaluation you are looking for, and with it, the price the surveyor will require. Any good surveyor will be prepared to sell/describe their services in detail and provide examples of their writeup.

It doesn't matter what you have heard is an industry standard. You need to know three things. 1.) That the surveyor is qualified, 2.) That the surveyor will procede with a procedure that meets your qualifications 3.)If you need a survey for bank/isurance, that the survey will satisfy their requirements as well (no use wasting money).

As always, you can farm out everything but your own responsiblity and due dilligence. I did disagree with one point you made. You don't pay a surveyor to check all those systems (though they should), you are paying primarily for an independant, well informed opinion. While I usually find myself qualified to inspect most systems on a boat, rarely in a boat buying exercise am I able to keep a fully objective and independant opinion. The boat buying process is one about wearing rose colored glasses.
 
Most people call a surveyor and ask how much do you charge and when can you get to it. Most assume "A Survey is a Survey" and really could care less what it says. All they want is renewal of coverage or insurance to start with. A survey is nothing more than a statement of condition, found as of a certain time and date. Some surveyors can say more in a four page report than some can say in thirty pages. So many "Surveyors" these days use soft ware sold by national companies. The software has tons of "fluff" and very little meat. Is a good surveyor one who knowns model names, specifications and part numbers or is he someone that is honest, well educated and independant?
 
L.Keith, I could not agree with you more... My surveys are about 12 to 14 pages long. The most important part of the survey is the last 2 to 3 pages.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top