To survey or not to survey, that is the question

[mikerdu]

Pulled the trigger yesterday on a 2003 Chaparral 260 Signature with the 350 MAG Mercruiser BIII. The boat has about 100 hours.

If you have followed my previous posts, I almost bought an older Chaparral with the 7.4L but that deal fell through after some cylinders were found to have low compression and there were bearing problems with the outdrive. This was found by the mechanic, not the surveyor.

Having followed the surveyor around last time, this time I'm thinking of skipping the survey to save the $620 and doing the final checkout on my own. Yesterday I had a mechanic do a compression test on the engine while I observed and everything went great. I also checked the outdrive oil (looked fine) and took the boat out for a test drive - didn't hear or feel anything unusual from the lower unit. I've poked and prodded everything I can think of. I can't see what more a surveyor is going to do. Am I taking too big of a risk?

Note this boat's powertrain is still covered under an extended "Product Protection" warranty from Mercruiser that extends to august 2009. It is a dealer trade-in, not a private sale. I've seen the inspection sheet the dealer did when they took the trade-in and everything looks legit. I will of course re-verify everything works when I take delivery.

[capt. thunder]

The surveyor should have found the problem. I would get the boat surveyed again, using a different surveyor.

[adventuris]

have is surveyed , dealer wil make it look good they need to sell it , banks and insurance companies want survey , are you quailified to find repair work hull delamantions .

[Menzies]

Get every boat you buy that is not under manufacturers warranty (hell even if it is still under warranty if used) surveyed.

Don't skimp the couple of hundred on this very very important part of the buying process.

[tobnpr]

Go to SAMS website and select your own surveyor. If I recall, in your last post you mentioned the surveyor was recommended by the boatyard that had the vessel for sale? If so, that's a non-no.
You've got too much money at risk, hire the surveyor. It's pennies in the overall scheme of things.

[CB Haws]

I would not go to any website to find a surveyor. Only word-of -mouth references are safe. Or should I say better then the dark and dart board method of selection. SAMS, PAMS MOMS who cares. Do they have references? It is also wise to select a surveyor who has done surveys on your make and model boat before. I am not sure if you are blaming the surveyor for not finding the engine trouble in the other boat or not. Most surveyors do not do inboard engine surveys. Most do outboard engines because they are easy. Diesels should only be factory trained and authorized dealers not shadetree mechanics without the proper tools for the job. A compression tested and a set of wrenches is not going to get it done on a diesel.
Get it surveyed by someone recommended to you by a consumer not the fregg'in marina or broker, or owner.

[Loose Crew]

Your insurance carrier and your bank will likely want the boat surveyed regardless. Spend the money but pick the right guy. He probably won't be the cheapest and probably won't be available right away but they're worth it. That being said, no broker should ever "recommend" a surveyor. However, if they give you a list to choose from (qualified surveyors in the area) then that is usually ok. Feel free to pick your own.

[nauthead]

As stated above, all surveyors are not equal. Find one that is familiar with the boat you want surveyed. Ask for his previous surveys of similar boats. Ask if he does the mechanical survey or does he sub it, not a bad thing. The same with the electronics.

I have seen surveys that state the mechanicals were not surveyed or were only visually checked.

Tell him you want a buyers survey. It should read very different than a sellers survey.

If nothing else, a previous survey is a good thing when it comes time to sell it again.

[Fishing FINattic]

Pay for the survey....
Tim

[boatdiver]

I've done some pretty major repairs on boats that new that were found by surveyors in pre-purchase surveys.

Get it surveyed.

[djcxxx]

Two things I got from the surveyor that were useful: 1) a checklist of things that were major/minor that needed attention; and 2) a list of things that needed attention that I could do on my own and deduct from the purchase price. Also, you didn't mention a seatrial in your offer. Personally I wouldn't buy any boat, new or used, without a seatrial. Boats are not built equally even off the same production line. One may have a list that others don't. Don't be too eager to splash, it will save you money and frustration down the road.

[rkatz]

I have to tell you $600+ sounds a bit steep for survey on that size boat. I have had a few boats surveyed and never had to pay more than about $300. That said, it was a while ago. I wouldn't buy a used boat without the survey, despite the fact that I have personally watched about 7 or 8 of them and "know" what I "think" I need to look for. Peace of mind is worth a few bucks.

[Fishing FINattic]

I paid $600 for a 26' Grady last winter. Included compression of both motors.
A sea trial is a must as mentioned above.
Maybe get a hold of the previous owner. Be sure to ask him what he liked least about the boat.
Tim