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Random Quote: I aint geting on it, it ain't got no trollin motor. Grandpa boarding a cruiseship
I have never had a boat survey done before and I want to know a few things before I start calling around sounding like an idiot.
Are boat survey's and engine survey's separate?
The boat I am looking at has Cat Engines and I want a certified Cat Mechanic to test the oil, see her under load etc.
Also want to check for moisture in the hull, soft spots on the deck etc. nothing major.
Are there surveyors that can do a complete survey that are also Cat mechanics?
Do I have to schedule two separate surveys?
Can anyone recommend a company or do I just go through the closest Cat Dealer- (I believe located in Milton)
I am not looking for a nitpick or something overly too in depth- its a older boat and I have some money I would like to put into I just want to ensure the basic hull and engine conditions are as tip top as the seller is assuring me.
Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated!!
Ken it has been my experience that brand specific diesel guys miss alot of critical issues that an accredited engine surveyor will pick up. They tend to have a little tunnel vision and focus only upon the pistons. I have followed behind Cat mechanics at survey and casually mentioned: "did you notice the loose motor mounts? No? Broken oil pan bolts? No? I wonder how that happened" Did you see these are FAPS blocks? and so on.
I would suggest finding the best hull surveyor in you area and asking him for a referral for an engine surveyor.
What state is Milton in? Is that off Main street?
Check my site for some answers to your questions.
__________________ Baitkiller= Accredited Marine Surveyor
Bait fear me, fish just laugh.....
The little Dutch boy was just buying time...
Diesel engine and hull surveyors are different. Most hull surveyors will do gas inboards only.
Since you are in CT and have CAT engines, contact HO Penn and ask them to do a full PAR report on it - which will tell you everything about how it is running: cost about $1,300 for two engines. It will need to be sea trialed in open water for about an hour to get it done. Since diesel engine repairs can be big $$$, it will be worth it.
Most times, the hull surveyor and engine surveyor will want to work on different days so they are not intefering with one another. The CAT survey will take about 5 hours and a thorough hull survey 7-8 hours.
A good hull surveyor will take care of the rest - running gear pumps, water & electric, etc.
Most people do the hull survey first (cheaper and more likely to find fatal to the deal problems) and then if all is okay, spend the money for the engine survey.
A goos surveyor will also insist the boat be hauled, pressure washed and kept ashore at least 48 hours before the survey so he gets good moisture readings on the bottom.
Try Dennis Klodner at Depaul Diesel in Portsmouth, RI. Excellent. Surveyed my 3208T's. By "excellent", I mean thorough, knowledgeable, and honest! Everything else above is correct.
One other thing, the OP didn't say what type of CAT's they are. If they are the newer electronic units (3126B, C-7, C-9, C-12, C-15, C-18 or C-32), only a CAT authorized dealer has access to the computer software interface and reader to do the diagnostics and testing.
If its got a Cat the best guy around and I mean the best is Guy Crudelle. I would never let Milton Cat do any work on anything I own. Guy is the best by far. 978-281-4956
Try Dennis Klodner at Depaul Diesel in Portsmouth, RI. Excellent. Surveyed my 3208T's. By "excellent", I mean thorough, knowledgeable, and honest! Everything else above is correct.
All the best.
I second Denny he's good and 15 min from Fall River. His shop is at Bend Boat Basin in Portsmouth.
The owner actually recomended Dennis is Portsmouth but unfortunately he is out on medical leave--
I have 6 weeks left before the boat gets hauled. Getting the hull surveyor first sounds like a good idea but I might have to let scheduling dictate that. I am more concerned about the engines than the hull- they are an older model Cat and I have some money to put into the boat after purchase. I just want to make sure moisture readings, thruhull fittings (major components) are solid.
I am going to start hitting the phones on monday to get this done as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Thanks Post, I'll call Guy. Any other recomendations would be greatly appreciated. I have to imagine that the Hull and Engine guys work off a pretty good recomendation network. ??
The boat is located in the Fall River area and I am located in Boston/Cape Cod.
no one yet- I have a list of names I am going to start going through.
I took the boat for a sea trial yesterday- she was prrrrrr'n- I really want to get her checked out. Makes me even more cautious now... nothing is ever this easy.
kfishc - I had good luck with a surveyor named Daniel Briggs out of Mattapoisett (Marion?) Also used Dennis Klodner for a Yanmar and my current Volvos - sorry to hear he's on med leave.
Good luck
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1967 BW Nauset w/ 88SPL Johnson
Survey Fall River- Cat Engines HELP! 
