Survey for a “small” boat? Knoxville, TN

N

Nick 55

Active Member
Aug 14, 2013
292
St Charles, IL
Boat Info
Wakesetter 23LSV
Engines
Indmar 340 V-Drive
I’m contemplating and considering a recommendation if possible of who to reach out to to survey a boat in the Knoxville area (20 miles southwest on a lake). I would like thoughts on a marine survey for a 24’ boat. Reason I’m contemplating this is the boat is currently 400+ miles from me and my schedule precludes a “quick trip” to do my own inspection. So, would a surveyor bother with a small “simple” boat? And if so, would you consider it for a report before you bought it, potentially sight unseen? I’m familiar with the boat brand and model, as well as operation but need a good set of eyes to tell me the good and the bad of a particular boat.
 
I think the “sight unseen” part is the reason to get a survey.

I feel confident enough to do a self survey on a smaller boat that I am familiar with, as you probably are too.
It’s the distance that’s the issue here.

The seller may not agree to a survey on a smaller boat if there are multiple offers on it. Even if he does, you may not get anything repaired by the seller or any price compensation, he could just say “take it or leave it” once the survey results come in.
 
I had a survey done on our 25'er. Cost was about $550 but that did not include mechanical survey. He just did a quick 'look see' and didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary.
 
I did my own survey of sorts on my current boat and I went into it expecting to find some things that needed attention and I fully expect any boat to need some work. The boat in TN is actually at a marina on a trailer for sale so I think it’s a reasonable request. Anybody have a recommendation for a surveyor in the Knoxville TN area?
 
I cobbled together a survey of sorts in the past for our 270. I paid my fiberglass guy in Knoxville, Tim Norwood like $75 to inspect the gel coat, fiberglass, cosmetics of a boat and on the same day another $75 or so to my mechanic to look at the engine, mechanics. My mechanic has since retired. I have since used Ultra marine without any complaints.
 
Definitely get a survey. The stringers and transom are susceptible to rot the same as any boat and if repair is necessary the cost would probably exceed the value of the boat.
 
Thanks for the guidance. This boat isn’t actually a SeaRay. And this particular manufacturer (Supra) eliminated wood in their entire boat back in 1997 so the stringers are all fiberglass. But I think a survey would be the right way to approach this purchase.
 
Nick 55 said:
Thanks for the guidance. This boat isn’t actually a SeaRay. And this particular manufacturer (Supra) eliminated wood in their entire boat back in 1997 so the stringers are all fiberglass. But I think a survey would be the right way to approach this purchase.
Click to expand...

Just a thought- but if you're looking at a Supra boat in southwest Knoxville, maybe you want to contact Supra for a recommendation from them. Seeing as how they are located in....... southwest Knoxville. There may be a chance they are in contact with a current or previous employee that does surveys on the side. I would think there would be no one better to survey your boat than someone that might have actually built the boat.
 
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