mr_mbuna

I have a deposit down on a 2011 Grady White Freedom 275 and I'm thinking about what kind of diligence I need to do before closing the deal. I'm having the Yamaha outboard inspected by a certified mechanic but unsure about whether it's worth having a survey done (especially since the local surveyors that I see most widely recommended are all booked up for weeks). The boat is a 2011, single owner, 420 hours, with service records, that always lived on a dry stack and has never been bottom painted. I know Grady Whites have a mixed history when it comes to water intrusion and they didn't stop putting wood in their transom and stringers until 2015 or so. If this boat lived in the water I would 100% have a survey done but since it's been dry stacked I wonder if it's worth the cost.

What do you think?

Texas 17

If you don't get a survey, then every time you ask for help on here for anything broken, you will be repeatedly shamed and told it is your fault. Just FYI.


But otherwise... it's 8 years old. I have self-surveyed a number of my boats. I feel competent doing it, but I could miss stuff (as could a surveyor). A good surveyor can easily pay for his work in issues you get addressed prior to the sale, but again, it is up to you whether it is worth spending the money. I'd say yes. It is a big investment, and stuff like water intrusion are not DIY checks.

Sharktopus

Yes. A lot can happen in 10 years. Also I believe your insurance will require one anyways.

Trayscool

"Worth the cost?!?"

How much is the boat? 100K or close?

You need help deciding if $500-$700 is worth the cost?

mr_mbuna

Again, the only reason I ask is because it's been dry stacked.

Schmaltz~Herring

Don't be a cheepskate, for 5 or 600 bucks, throw the surveyor an extra c note for speedier service.

amofgreenville

No. you don't need a survey.. I've never understood why people can't look over a boat their self and check everything out.. I've never had a survey done on any boat I've ever purchased. Insurance has NEVER required/asked for a survey.

Shewillbemine

Of course you should.

Unless you intimately trust the seller or know the boat's history that well, it's always smart to do so. Yes, not being slipped "helps" the boat's condition after 9 years, but there are so many other reasons that might at least lower the value for you.

And just because people have experiences of "never" needing a boat survey doesn't mean that's the rule everyone should go by. Most of us don't have accidents in our vehicles, but it would be pretty damn stupid not to have insurance just in case. Some guys just have to be macho all the time and claim that how they do things is the right way to do it (those guys usually STFU when they actually make mistakes because they can't admit it).

That's all a boat survey is: insurance that you aren't making a triple digit mistake.

Pineapple Express

Belaurora

If you know what issues you are looking for, then maybe not. Otherwise yes. Its cheap insurance.

I bought a dry stacked boat. The owner had $6,000 worth of engine work done to bring all systems, up to par. Lots of engine work done I didn't get a survey cause it was dry stacked. First day out in the boat the #5 cylinder got scored due to running lean. Mechs missed a very corroded aluminum check valve next to the vst on a F225 that clogged the #5 injector. Obviously corroded! I missed almost 12 weeks of boating cause of that. And it cost me $3500. Maybe if I had a survey he would have seen that... maybe not. But that's the kinds of things they are looking for.

amofgreenville

So if you go buy a used car or truck, do you have a "survey" done on that vehicle? I'm willing to bet not.. you walk around the vehicle, take it for a test ride, maybe check the oil, but you don't hire someone to look it over for you. Having insurance isn't the same thing as having a survey done.. Of course you should have insurance

Windwood

2011, I am willing to bet the surveyor finds more wrong than the cost of the survey.

1stchunt

I wouldn't take that bet. Not saying he would, but the surveyor could always make sure you win.

wahoossi

Is waiting on the survey going to lose your deposit and possibly lose the purchase of your dream boat? I have never gotten a survey abut have bought only relatively late model used boats with engines under warranty. Looking at that Grady I would only worry the engines. Perhaps a Yamaha mechanic and a computer printout and a test ride in place of a survey if it holds up a deal?

cletus9000

For that amount of money potentially spent get the survey.

Blue Hen

Yes , yes yes
Save yourself the embarrassment ,of having a bad purchase

mr_mbuna

I am having the engine thoroughly inspected... looks like the good surveyors in Maryland are booked up for several weeks so it may not be feasible to get a survey. Deposit is refundable, the dealer just doesn't want to hold the boat for a long time when there's a waiting list.

LongIslandFisherman

How much is the boat ?

JimB

If this is the one for $80K at M&M, they have a good reputation. They specialize in used Gradys and will go anywhere on the east coast to source them. Do you know where the boat came from?

An out of warranty F350 is probably a bigger issue. Make sure it’s had a recent fly wheel and the ECU has been addressed. Search here on THT for more information.

And yes, M&M will probably already have a backup buyer waiting. They seldom keep a decent boat in stock for more than two weeks. Drove by a few days ago and they only had one boat on the lot (the Mako).

As long as the motor checks out, I’d feel OK buying with no survey but it is cheap insurance. There are a bunch of surveyors in Middle River (Bayside, East Coast, etc). Keep calling and you’ll find one.

Who is doing the engine inspection?

mr_mbuna

JimB, you have a good eye. Yes, I'm buying this from Mike at M&M. The boat came from Massachusetts and I spoke with the original dealer this morning. The ECU and flywheel were replaced at 100 hours in Sept 2015.

Chris Pine is doing the engine inspection tomorrow. 🤞