Surveyor Question

r.j.dawg

r.j.dawg

New Member
Mar 1, 2011
112
Barrie, Ontario
Boat Info
1990 270 Monticello
Engines
Twin 4.3LX Alpha's
Ok, I contacted a surveyor back in March about a purchase survey on the 290 we would like to buy. He indicated at that time that he would need 2 or 3 dry days before the survey to get accurate moisture readings. I thought that was reasonable but in the past six or so weeks we have had days like that but nothing from him. I have contacted him a couple of time and the answer is always " I'll be over there in the next couple of days". And here we are, still waiting. I am getting tired of continually sending emails only to get the same answer. He came highly recommended by my insurance company and other boaters in the area. I'm wondering if I should be looking for another surveyor. Thoughts?:huh:
 
I would send him one more e-mail stating your desire to commence with this transaction before you lose the boat. If he blows you off again (ie: Doesnt set a concrete date) I would let him know you have found another surveyor and won't be requiring his services. I feel like when I need to beg someone to come and do my work, they are not that hungry for work! How long will it take to get the write -up once he actually shows up?
 
Do not think there would be many surveyors in Barrie. The season would be short and the boats are not that big. If you are going to loose the sale because of the no show you might want to look for an alternative. Getting one out of Toronto would be expensive I assume. If you have done the best you can by looking at the boat and it is solid in your opinion a structural engineering firm might be able to help you but the cost would be a lot more than a surveyor I think.
The boat is almost 20 years old and there can be lots of problems with old boats. I sold a 1982 28' with upper and lower helm in good condition for 12,000 in 2007. Perhaps if you posted the price and general description others could give you an idea of what you can spend to make sure it is a solid boat.
Good Luck
 
Is the boat being sold privately, or brokered? I would imagine the seller would need to allow access to the boat (if private sale) and will need to know when he plans to come see it. Even a broker probably needs to have an idea of the date and time.

I would start the process of looking for another surveyor. Give this guy one last chance to set a concrete date and adhere to it. If he chooses to not perform the work, move to the next one.
 
I think you need more information from a conversation not email. True professionals, the type you may have been referred to, are in great demand and have much asked of them. Only because the best are often busy or cost more can lesser competitors compete. Be as patient as possible and get clear information as to why this is dragging on, then make your decision as to whether to wait longer or change course.
 
Frustrating for sure. I ran into the same problems with marine mechanics...and not in the boating season months. It just baffles me that you're ready to pay someone great money for work and you get this type of service. I can deal with delays, but lack of communication is just unacceptable. Give him one more shot and then cut him loose.
 
MonacoMike said:
I think you need more information from a conversation not email. True professionals, the type you may have been referred to, are in great demand and have much asked of them. Only because the best are often busy or cost more can lesser competitors compete. Be as patient as possible and get clear information as to why this is dragging on, then make your decision as to whether to wait longer or change course.
Click to expand...

Mike,
He may be awesome and in great demand but at the end of the day, if he is too busy to see you he is ultimately worthless to you!
 
tdschafer said:
Mike,
He may be awesome and in great demand but at the end of the day, if he is too busy to see you he is ultimately worthless to you!
Click to expand...

I'm not patient by nature but rather by experience. If I was buying another vessel in the area where I found my current one I would do everything possible to use my surveyor again. Often these things boil down to miscommunication which is what I suggested the op clear up before making a change. I find that today's customers pftyen have unrealistic time frame expectations of top level professionals. the op said the surveyor was referred by multiple sources leading me to give him the benefit of the doubt. There ate probably several unqualified "surveyors" available tomorrow. I do agree with Todd's point if he won't communicate with you and set a time it's time to move on. MM
 
Thanks for all the input guys. Very much appreciated. I sent him an email last night after I posted here and a reply was waiting for me this morning. He completed the survey and will forward the report shortly. I has asked to be present when he did it, to which he agreed, so I was a little surprised. At least it's done and I can make an informed decision when I receive the report.
I'll post the results too.
 
This is the second time in a few weeks that a surveyor was requested to complete a survey with the purchaser present, only to notify the buyer the survey was complete without prior notification. That sucks. :smt021
 
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MonacoMike said:
This is the second time in a few weeks that a surveyor was requested to complete a survey with the purchaser present, only to notify the buyer the survey was complete without prior notification. That sucks. :smt021
Click to expand...

Sucks is putting it lightly IMO, I wouldn't pay the bill unless I signed a contract stating it didn't matter if I was there or not!
 
This is what happened to Karenb and her husband. I understand that it is a very busy time for these guys and pretty much everybody in this industry but, they should at least throw a call out to the customer saying they are headed to the boat. Maybe they want to complete the task as quick as possible without a bunch of questions to slow them down. If that is the case then they should not be in a service type business IMHO. I would pay the guy only after he explains any questions I have regarding the inspection!
 
R.J. Dawg---- Maybe you should ask your wife if you should find a new surveyor. The guy is probably real busy. You need to call another surveyor.
 
The results arrived from the surveyor by email this morning. Not good. I won't give you all the minor things, but some of the more notable ones were;

VESSEL HULL EXTERIOR
1. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the port aft corner of the hull bottom indicates there is some water retention. When sounded on the interior it would indicate that the cavity between the interior platform and the hull bottom may contain water.
2. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the transom is retaining some moisture primarily at the transom assembly which is not uncommon for a vessel of this era. There is a small area of gelcoat below the transom assembly that is due to be repaired.
3. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the exterior hull bottom remains in a solid and sound condition
4. The painted exterior hull bottom did not indicate any easily visible signs of osmosis blistering.

VESSEL HULL INTERIOR
1. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the outboard starboard stringer under the aft quarters storage area is retaining some moisture in the core.
2. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the two inboard stringers indicate they are retaining some moisture in the core.
3. The aforementioned areas of moisture are not uncommon for a vessel of this era, and are not of a large nature, the stringers remain in a solid condition and can be monitored.

VESSEL DECKS AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
1. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the foredeck including both port and starboard catwalks are retaining moisture in the core. The port side runs aft past the area reached under the shrink wrap. The starboard side runs aft to just aft of the navigation light. This also includes the foredeck and the pulpit which would appear that the moisture is higher as it is originating in this area. The fittings on the port catwalk can be re-caulked.
2. The carpet on the aft deck is worn and torn in areas.
3. The shrink wrap did not allow for inspection on the aft catwalks, superstructure or freeboards.
4. When sounded and checked with the moisture meter, the small area of the outboard starboard aft deck (outboard of the engine hatches) is beginning to retain some moisture and can be monitored.

GENERAL COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The compass has an air bubble
2. It needs to be confirmed that the shore power receptacle in the port aft deck storage area and in the galley and head are GFI protected.
3. The headliner in the V berth has mildew.
4. Several camper top side curtains appear faded and one has a crack.
5. The overboard discharge for the holding tank needs to be disconnected.
6. The plastic fitting on the air conditioning pump needs to be replaced with Merelon or bronze.
7. CO detectors need to be installed in the main and aft quarters.
8. The anchor rode is due to be replaced.
9. The bellows hoses in the stern drive are hard and have some crazing.
10. The electrolysis activity on the stern drive should be prepped and refinished as required.

And there you have it. Sorry for the length. I called the salesman at the marina and left him a message that we won't be going ahead with the purchase. Needless to say, the Admiral was quite upset. As a quirk of fate, another salesman from a marina at the north end of Lake Simcoe called and told me he had a couple of new listings if I was interested. A 1992 300 Sundancer with twin 4.3 Alpha's ($34000), and a 1994 270 Sundanceer with a 7.4 Bravo III (29000). So off we went to have a look.
Funny thing, as I was looking at the engines on the 300, I went to show the admiral something and she was gone. I found her several boats over talking to the owner of a 1994 Four Winns 258 that had just come on the market. So who knows what's going to happen.

Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions.
 
Good thing that surveyor was available!!!! :thumbsup:

I would be walking too. Unfortunately I think alot of the older boats are going to have similar issues. The surveyor even states several times that "It is not uncommon for that era boat".
 
tdschafer said:
Good thing that surveyor was available!!!! :thumbsup:

I would be walking too. Unfortunately I think alot of the older boats are going to have similar issues. The surveyor even states several times that "It is not uncommon for that era boat".
Click to expand...
Yes, I feel lucky I got this guy to do the survey. It took a while, but it got done and now we can move on. As for the older boats, the 300 we looked at today had a survey last fall that is as clean as a whistle. The only problem is it's priced about 10K more than I wanted to spend. But you never know. A clean boat is better than one you have to spend 10 bucks here, a hundred bucks here and so on and so on.
 
r.j.dawg said:
Yes, I feel lucky I got this guy to do the survey. It took a while, but it got done and now we can move on. As for the older boats, the 300 we looked at today had a survey last fall that is as clean as a whistle. The only problem is it's priced about 10K more than I wanted to spend. But you never know. A clean boat is better than one you have to spend 10 bucks here, a hundred bucks here and so on and so on.
Click to expand...

I hope my comments were helpful: as a good well referenced surveyors, as other top pros, are worth the aggravation of waiting for and working around. Good luck as the search for the "right boat" continues. MM
 
Here Here!

Re: Surveyor Question


quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by MonacoMike
This is the second time in a few weeks that a surveyor was requested to complete a survey with the purchaser present, only to notify the buyer the survey was complete without prior notification. That sucks. :smt021



Sucks is putting it lightly IMO, I wouldn't pay the bill unless I signed a contract stating it didn't matter if I was there or not!​
 
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