Rotted floor/stringers on 1999 370. Help!

The first estimate of $4000 to fix a stringer was incorrect. The second estimate of $10k-$20k to repair will prove incorrect again IMO.

Ive seen estimates for stringer, mounts, deck, or transom rot combinations that start at $30k and up as high as $75k.

When total cost exceeds the value insurance appraisals deem the vehicle as a total loss. I assumed the owner had insurance.
yes, he is starting this all by putting a claim in on his insurance.
 
I agree but its worth a shot. Someone was dishonest along the way and proving who that was and to make them pay probably wont be easy.
How do you say someone was dishonest? The survey uncovered the rot.
 
The survey said the rot was only in one spot....not spread as much as was revealed
But it sounds like they didn't find the additional rot until they starting digging into things. Most surveyors won't do any removal to get at inaccessible places.
 
I agree with unlikely insurance coverage since the water intrusion/rot was known prior to purchase. The extent of rot was the unknown. Also think legal action is unlikely going to be of help. The surveyor would likely say he brought the rot/water damage to the potential buyer’s attention, which was his job. Marine Max would likely say they took the boat on good faith from the original owner and no problems appeared on their inspection. The original owner would likely say they had no clue the rot was there when they “freshened up” the bilge area.

That is why my initial recommendation was to consult with an attorney just to see what the state laws are. Maybe a certain seller buy-back period or something. If that washes out, the new owner has to determine, from a professional boat repair service (not a surveyor), whether it is financially viable to fix the boat, sell it to someone as a project/fixer upper, or as a salvage for motors, drives, electronics, etc.
I still think, with the little information we have here, this is the best course of action. Either way, it really sucks for the buyer, and I wish him the best of luck with this terrible situation.
 
Insurance will not cover an existing condition. Read the first paragraph in your survey; only visible issues are noted and they do not disassemble anything during a survey.
So, this is not a total loss by any stretch.
Peel back the onion, expose and remove any damaged material then build it back. Even if stringers and bulkheads are impacted it's fixable and simple work. This is only wood work and fiberglass layup. In the end correct the issue that caused the problem.
 
Insurance will not cover an existing condition. Read the first paragraph in your survey; only visible issues are noted and they do not disassemble anything during a survey.
So, this is not a total loss by any stretch.
Peel back the onion, expose and remove any damaged material then build it back. Even if stringers and bulkheads are impacted it's fixable and simple work. This is only wood work and fiberglass layup. In the end correct the issue that caused the problem.
ttmott,
Completely agree with you on this one. Anything built can be rebuilt. Fiberglassing is not super technical but it is very labor intensive. If the new owner can do the work himself, certainly financially viable - been there done that myself. If labor cost is involved, different story!!!
 
Had a boat surveyed in the late 90s was looking at a 1980’s 31 foot vanguard express which appear to have a soft area that the surveyor noticed on the cabin floor during the sea trial he requested that the owner and yard peel the carpet back and drill an access hole big enough to see what was going on underneath turned out to be completely rotted out stringers from a leaking water tank.Had he only “noted “ rot in what he’s saw, this would’ve been the same situation for me... Got my deposit back and walked away from the boat but I heard later on that it was $25,000 to repair all the rot on that boat .My surveyor was top notch and went the extra mile and made them investigate exactly what was going on ,that to me is a thorough survey ,so I don’t necessarily agree with the above statements that they won’t rip into or disassemble a suspect area .The right surveyor knows how to have this accomplished. Surveyor (Frank Abbey)
 
Had a boat surveyed in the late 90s was looking at a 1980’s 31 foot vanguard express which appear to have a soft area that the surveyor noticed on the cabin floor during the sea trial he requested that the owner and yard peel the carpet back and drill an access hole big enough to see what was going on underneath turned out to be completely rotted out stringers from a leaking water tank.Had he only “noted “ rot in what he’s saw, this would’ve been the same situation for me... Got my deposit back and walked away from the boat but I heard later on that it was $25,000 to repair all the rot on that boat .My surveyor was top notch and went the extra mile and made them investigate exactly what was going on ,that to me is a thorough survey ,so I don’t necessarily agree with the above statements that they won’t rip into or disassemble a suspect area .The right surveyor knows how to have this accomplished. Surveyor (Frank Abbey)
Standard Language (get out of jail free card) in all of the surveys I've had
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:
 
Standard Language (get out of jail free card) in all of the surveys I've hadView attachment 80034 :
Wow. Thanks for that, ttmott. I knew surveyors did not do any mechanical evaluations - got to hire a mechanic for that. I did not know they have that extensive of a disclaimer for the service of evaluating a boat for a potential buyer. So, lesson here is, even with a survey, if we ever plan to purchase a used boat, we better be unemotional and do our own detailed evaluation.
 
Had a boat surveyed in the late 90s was looking at a 1980’s 31 foot vanguard express which appear to have a soft area that the surveyor noticed on the cabin floor during the sea trial he requested that the owner and yard peel the carpet back and drill an access hole big enough to see what was going on underneath turned out to be completely rotted out stringers from a leaking water tank.Had he only “noted “ rot in what he’s saw, this would’ve been the same situation for me... Got my deposit back and walked away from the boat but I heard later on that it was $25,000 to repair all the rot on that boat .My surveyor was top notch and went the extra mile and made them investigate exactly what was going on ,that to me is a thorough survey ,so I don’t necessarily agree with the above statements that they won’t rip into or disassemble a suspect area .The right surveyor knows how to have this accomplished. Surveyor (Frank Abbey)

+1 on Frank for any interested parties! I used him for my 340 survey. Very detail oriented.

-Kevin
 
I agree with unlikely insurance coverage since the water intrusion/rot was known prior to purchase. The extent of rot was the unknown. Also think legal action is unlikely going to be of help. The surveyor would likely say he brought the rot/water damage to the potential buyer’s attention, which was his job. Marine Max would likely say they took the boat on good faith from the original owner and no problems appeared on their inspection. The original owner would likely say they had no clue the rot was there when they “freshened up” the bilge area.

That is why my initial recommendation was to consult with an attorney just to see what the state laws are. Maybe a certain seller buy-back period or something. If that washes out, the new owner has to determine, from a professional boat repair service (not a surveyor), whether it is financially viable to fix the boat, sell it to someone as a project/fixer upper, or as a salvage for motors, drives, electronics, etc.
I still think, with the little information we have here, this is the best course of action. Either way, it really sucks for the buyer, and I wish him the best of luck with this terrible situation.

This is the cold hard truth.
 
Standard Language (get out of jail free card) in all of the surveys I've hadView attachment 80034 :
I know the standard legal clause jargon, they have to have that, every survey I’ve ever had has been pretty extensive even to the point of drilling core samples in stringers. If something seems suspect any surveyor I’ve ever met has pushed to the next level to find out why there’s a problem and if that means removing or gaining access to they have always directed the owner and or the yard that request . I’m not expecting the surveyor to rip the boat apart himself . I guess I have been blessed with thorough surveyors I have had four surveys personally and been on two additional for friends boats.
 
The survey said the rot was only in one spot....not spread as much as was revealed
Maybe not dishonest, but a surveyor should know to caution a buyer that rot in any form in the interior of a cruiser can often be much more than what is immediately visible. He could have recommended a more comprehensive inspection or at least cautioned about the risks.

I can tell you if that buyer had posted the survey here on CSR and asked for advice from Sea Ray owners before buying, he would have been warned by most of us that he should either not buy the boat, or do a lot more investigation into the extent of the rot before making an offer. I would expect a surveyor to be at least as good as us who are not paid for our advice. This could have been avoided with a few words from a competent surveyor.
 
Maybe not dishonest, but a surveyor should know to caution a buyer that rot in any form in the interior of a cruiser can often be much more than what is immediately visible. He could have recommended a more comprehensive inspection or at least cautioned about the risks.

I can tell you if that buyer had posted the survey here on CSR and asked for advice from Sea Ray owners before buying, he would have been warned by most of us that he should either not buy the boat, or do a lot more investigation into the extent of the rot before making an offer. I would expect a surveyor to be at least as good as us who are not paid for our advice. This could have been avoided with a few words from a competent surveyor.

Best Post Award going to.....Creekwood!
 
Here is the wording in my survey on our Crownline:
LIMITATIONS OF SURVEY

This vessel was surveyed without removals of any parts, including fittings, tacked carpet, screwed or nailed boards, anchors and chain, fixed partitions, instruments, clothing, spare parts and miscellaneous materials in the bilges and lockers, or other fixed or semi-fixed items. Locked compartments or otherwise inaccessible areas that would also preclude inspection.

This survey contains opinions and observations based on the surveyor’s skill, experience and training as a marine surveyor. Under no circumstances shall this report be understood to constitute a guarantee, warranty, expressed or implied, of any kind. Hull soundings and moisture meter readings on a fiberglass hull, structure, stringers are a partial analysis and it is not construed to be a final evaluation. Often, limited access is afforded to the internal hull laminate composite and framing of the vessel, thus making it very difficult to arrive at a definitive all-encompassing statement regarding the condition of the hull. Where suspect areas exist, core testing, which is considered to be destructive testing, should be considered and is not included in the scope of the survey.
 

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