What does a marine surveyor go over?

[jabs]

Well Sunday is going to be a big day for us. I'm getting a survey done on a 2000 Sea Ray 270. The person I hired is licensed and recommended by a couple of Marina's in the area. I'm being charged $410.00 which seems reasonable to me but you never know.

I'm dependant on him being my eyes because I haven't seen the Sea Ray do to the distance of where it's located.

Is there anything in particular I should have him go over? I want to make I'm covering everything I can.

Thanks

 

[Sundancer]

Make sure he pulls the outdrive and does a thorough engine check including compression check on each cylinder. Some surveyors aren't capable of doing those things. The price seems low to me?

 

[Loneranger]

You will likely also need an engine survey by a technician familar with your engine type to do compression check, etc.

See the site below for a lot of good survey infomration. On the page he has two sample survey's for review.

http://www.pcmarinesurveys.com/

John

 

[mwph]

Does the boat have a generator? Which drives are on it? More info should produce more responses from more qualified members. When I had my survey done, I did not fully understand the different types of surveys. Does he plan any mechanical type stuff? It may be a little late but... any chance the surveyor could email you a survey from a previous boat? This may give you a starting point that you can then match up against your boat's features & systems.



Edit... Good post John. I forgot about that site which is a great starting point.

 

[jabs]

No gennie, no heat or air.

It has twin 4.3 mercs, only 240 hours on the engines, windlass,CD player, full camping canvas, trailer.

He will not do the mechanical I was going to have it shipped back to have a mechanic I trust go through everything if the survey is good.

 

[JimT]

For that price you are not getting a mechanical survey or any fluid testing. The surveyor will do a visual inspection of the boat and check out all systems to make sure they are operational. If you want a mechanical inspection you will need to pay the survey an additional fee (assuming he is qualified) of hire a Merc tech to do the inspection.
You should be present for the inspection and the sea trial if at all possible.

 

[rcknecht]

If it is in salt water, I would would want to pull an elbow and check the exhaust manifold and elbow interior. The compression check is easy to do. I bought a comprestion checker a Harbor Frieght for about $30. When checking the compression I would recommend changing the plugs because you have to pull the plugs. I would expect the trim senders may not be working. My '01 190 with 200 hours on a 4.3L, trim senders just stopped working. Also on my 4.3, I had the engine pulled last ther to replace all the rubber and clean and paint the oil pan. All your rubber (bellows, shift cable, etc) should have been or will need to be replaced. I would have a list of the OEM equipment and have the surveyor tell me if anything is missing or not working.

 

[Rum Runner]

All of the above advise is good and right on. I don't think anyone mentioned checking the stringers for moisture, but if you have a certified surveyor doing the work, I'm sure that will be one of the first things he does. It sounds like you're going to take possession of the boat before the mechanical survey, that would worry "me". If you can, get a compression test at least. That would not be that difficult and your surveyor could probably do it. Good Luck. R

 

[Presentation]

..... I was going to have it shipped back to have a mechanic I trust go through everything if the survey is good.

By then wouldn’t you own it?

What if this guy finds a shot gimbal ring, worn drive coupler, low compression in a cylinder, all of which are extremely expensive repairs?

Having this done after you take ownership is like putting on a condom after sex.

 

[jabs]

I have the compression check written into the agreement that the seller is responsible for repairs.

I wanted to get some general maintenance items repaired such as bellows and water impellers done along with a bow to beach ladder installed at the same by someone I know.

I'm getting it for a decent price but I'm expecting some these items need to be done.

 

[katricol]

JABlS......NO. Not unless money is being put in escrow for the potential problem with the compression test/eng. survey. You need the engine survey done the same day as the survey...that's how it's done. A seller is not gonna be willing to put enuf in escrow to make this make sense. Ric

 

[Rum Runner]

Sounds like you're on top of things. And just know we're not ragging on you....we all just want you to be a happy boater. And another thing...no matter how carefull you are, you will always find something else you'll want to do. It never stops. But never the less, I'm always happier on my boat.