Engine survey from boats regular mechanic or different one?

aquaaddiction

Member
Aug 8, 2011
123
Western Australia
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3 V6, Kohler 5E generator
Hi,

Looking at buying a boat that has been serviced all it's life by the same service center.

I will be talking to them to check the history etc, but as a general point would you have them also carry out the formal engine survey on the basis they already know the boat, or get someone different on the basis that a 2nd / different opinion maybe more useful?

Regardless of this particulars boat circumstances, I thought it was an interesting question that must occur in many boat purchases.

Thanks

Anthony
 
I would select my surveyor based on recommendations and qualifications. I would prefer an "arms length transaction" where all professionals do their job without personal relations getting involved. I would not want the sellers mechanic doing my survey in most situations. MM
 
Why?

The service center has nothing to gain and everything to lose by reporting a non-factual opinion or recommendations as to the boat's mechanical condition. It isn't their boat. In fact, they should have the previous owners service records so you will probably get more information from them than from an independent. As long as they understand the boat is being sold, they may jump thru hoops for you in order to earn your future business. I would, however, specify in detail what you expect to have done during the mechanical survey and request quantitative results.........if you request a compression check, don't accept "Checks within specs". Instead, ask for compression readings from each cylinder.
 
In my mind it is a matter of imagery: a clearly organized successful "service center", with a lot visually on the line would inspire confidence in me. While a an old boat yard would not.

That said my fantastic service guys work out of an old factory building surrounded by derelict runabouts no one loves, so you never really know.

So while I still prefer neutral parties a knowledgeable reputable service center that had good records would work for me. MM
 
The engines are a big part of what you are buying. I had a Cummins tech do an engine survey yesterday on a 2000 460DA I am buying. The engines have less than 550 hours. He spent time teaching me about the engines and their particular problems. He found some problems that need repair. It cost $700 dollars but was worth it.
 
Although it hard to disagree with Frank on this (or any topic for that matter), I think that there may be a few unanswered variables preventing me from total agreement.

Why?

The service center has nothing to gain and everything to lose by reporting a non-factual opinion or recommendations as to the boat's mechanical condition. It isn't their boat. In fact, they should have the previous owners service records so you will probably get more information from them than from an independent. As long as they understand the boat is being sold, they may jump thru hoops for you in order to earn your future business. QUOTE]

We don't know that the service center has nothing to gain. If the same guys have worked on the boat "its entire life", they may indeed have a relationship with the previous owner that could skew thier judgement/findings.

We also don't know if the buyer is in a position, geographically, to be able to take advantage of any future business hoped for by the center. If it is known that the buyer lives a 4 hours drive away, how likely is it that he will tow the boat there for routine service? Which brings the point of "everything to loose" into the mix. I wonder how worried the center would be about loosing the buyer as a potential, future customer over a survey where something minor may have been "missed". I am a firm believer in word of mouth advertising, good or bad. But unless you are going to be nearby on an ongoing basis, none of that really matters.

All that being said, I did not intend to come off as pessimistic. The service center may be the best on the planet, with nothing to gain by helping the sale along. The original post did not tell us that the only ties the boat has to the center is its service work. I would hate to think that the boat was stored at and brokered out of the center from which the previous owner traded in this 240 on an upgrade, which coinsidentally, was purchased from the same broker/service center.
 
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I would interview the existing mechanic/service center and pay an outsider for his unbiased opinion......
 
Guys, the original poster is in Western Australia, not Miami. Look at a map. I suspect his service choices are sparse and with more limited skills compared to what we may have here in the US.
 
Thanks for the replies, some very valid points have been made which provide for some good thinking; just to clarify I am in Australia, but the boat I am looking at is in New York as there is very little choice of any boats on this side of Oz, and what there is is very expensive, which make sthe whole process even more difficult.

Anthony
 
So now we no there is nothing to gain by the "regular mechanic" from this purchaser. In fact as suggested by mwph: the seller may be upgrading, and still be a customer, with an on going relationship that this sale is contingent on. Most inspections or surveys limit liability to the cost of the survey so that is of little comfort without referrals and qualifications. I agree with Bill Collector's post for this situation and would make the purchase contingent on the service records being turned over to me and my independent surveyor. MM
 
So now we no there is nothing to gain by the "regular mechanic" from this purchaser. In fact as suggested by mwph: the seller may be upgrading, and still be a customer, with an on going relationship that this sale is contingent on. Most inspections or surveys limit liability to the cost of the survey so that is of little comfort without referrals and qualifications. I agree with Bill Collector's post for this situation and would make the purchase contingent on the service records being turned over to me and my independent surveyor. MM

I agree with MM we received before our purchase all the service records from the date the boat was purchased new including the original purchase order with all the dealer added options the boat was serviced by the local Sea Ray dealer. Even with a good surveyor there will be some problems you will find in time it's a used boat.
 
New York! Wow.

This thickens the pot a bit. I don't guess there is any chance you have a contact here in the states that could assist you? I hope this thread continues so I will ask a few questions...

1. What year is the boat? Hours?
2. Is the service center also a marina or sales center?
3. How long will you be here for the survey & to close the deal?
 
OK.......now that are are not having to assume the facts, I would have a Sea Ray dealer do the engine and mechanical survey, not the previous service center. The request should be to "look at the entire boat for any defect". A separate hull survey should be done by a NAMS or SAMS certified surveyor and there are enough New Yorkers here that somebody should have some recommendations for a surveyor that you know is competent.
 
Frank, Do, (or should) all Sea Ray dealers do an engine & mechanical survey? OR Are you referring to some sort of an unofficial survey?

I'm guessing that at best, my local dealer may "look at the boat" in their spare time. I'm even doubting that. But unless you are buying the boat from them or dropping your boat off for service, they don't want to see you or your prospective boat on their lot or at the dock.
 
In this case, the buyer has no access to a dealer, only generic service from boat yards and mechanics who are probably not that familiar with a 240XX. My thought would be to have a Sea Ray dealer look at the boat and check all the systems on it. If it is a 240SD, then its a very simple job, a 240DA would be more involved, but I'd rather have someone familiar with Sea Ray's construction and vendors check the water system, air conditioner, electrical system and other systems on the boat. Sea Ray dealers only get involved in selling or repairing boats. For that reason I would also use a marine surveyor to evaluate the construction, coring, caulking, sealing, etc.

As to Sea Ray dealers and surveys, I bet that not very many offer a survey on their menu of services. Most likely surveys are not a foreign concept for coastal dealers, but I wouldn't just walk in a try to "buy" a survey. I think you would need to get to the service manager and explain that you are doing your due-diligence on a Sea Ray XXX you are buying and you want his help in accomplishing that. Then discuss what he recommends and what you require, then the 2 of you come to an agreement and document the survey needs on a work order. Ask for quantitative results.......for a compression check, "Checks good" isn't acceptable to me; a list of compression readings for each cylinder is. For a Sea Ray dealer, a mechanical survey isn't much more than putting a mechanic on the clock and doing what you ask.

If you have a dealer that is as far removed from the needs of his customer as your last paragraph indicates, then you really need to move your business elsewhere. Our dealer in Florida is one of the busiest around, yet if one of their customers requests a survey, they understand that timing is critical and a contract for purchase/sale is probably hinging upon their work, so they find a way to make it a priority, even if the service manager or shop foreman has to do the survey himself.
 
Where in ny is the boat? General location.
 
Frank, as always when I see you post I like to follow if it is remotely something related to my needs. I have learned so much from you, so count this as a thanks for sharing your knowledge. MM
 

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