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

Rufus wrote:

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

Well, my feeling is that if the guy shows up in a suit, fire him
on the spot. Dirty coveralls, hard hat, boots, with a headlamp
and checklist would inflame my torch. Last guy I hired was
certified and all, and mine was a crummy old f/g toyboat 29'
Tylercraft, but he never mentioned deck rot, or illegal sewers
(in some areas). Thank God and my eyes, everything else was not
too bad, except the engine, and we got no blisters. Well, I mean,
at least it hasn't sunk us yet. Sheesh!

Not as bad, but like the guy who did a home inspection on a
property we eventually bought, he didn't really do us any good.
This house fellow was 'not used to' mobile homes. Wassa use? It's
only for the insurance paperwork, right? Liability coverage for
small craft normally parked in your back yard is included in many
home policies. If you can't afford to lose it, you shouldn't buy
it. If you can't kick a thru hull yourself, or don't know why you
should, you should stay ashore, Billy.

Oooh, I've gotta quit now. The urge to vent is rising in my
breast. Have mercy.
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