IMHO...

If you already know for sure a surveyor anywhere in the U.S. that you
truly respect, it will pay to fly him in and cover lodging and expenses
as needed. There are lots of good surveyors (I assume), but they are not
a high percentage of those advertising as such. I was extremely
disappointed in the survey I received from a "certified" professional
when I bought my boat. The boat has been fine, but the price should have
been considerably lower based in many simple items I now know to look at.

If I were buying a boat anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, particlularly a
wooden boat, I would give Kent Parker in Sausilito a call and see what
he'd be open to. However, as I said, I'm sure that are many qualified
people and it just takes a lot of talking around to fine which names
keep coming to the top.

If you need to consider a rigging report separate or additional, I
believe Brion Toss (sp?) offers an out-of-town package for rigging
surveys, and although he has a "shameless commerce division" that would
put Click 'n' Clack to shame, everything I've heard about him and seen
of his reports is very good. You can contact him at his website.

Best luck. Rufus