"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

Hello there Dave.

I received some feedback on the oil pan rusting issue. In fact, better
than that the potential buyer sent me some pictures taken by his surveyor
with a camera that was lowered down below the engines.

No question about it. They are toast. In fact, one has a big
fiberglass patch over a section of it and oil can be seen oozing out from
behind the patch. It obviously wasn't prepared properly. The other
engine is not patched, but the surveyor said it is well beyond the
typical surface rust that develops over time. It is ready to let go, in
his opinion.

The survey report I had done last May says, "The engines, with exception
of the exhaust hoses running from the manifolds to the mufflers appear to
be in excellent condition and have been well maintained". No mention of
fiberglass patches on the oil pans. I had the referenced hoses
replaced before I picked up the boat.

So, replace the pans, I must before it is launched. Meanwhile the
buyer has decided to move on to find another boat, so this sale is dead.
There were some other typical and relatively minor issues of an older
boat found in the survey that wouldn't be a deal breaker, but they,
combined with the oil pans scared the buyer off, so to speak.

Lesson learned. A survey is highly desirable however the qualifications
of the surveyor needs to be verified. The one I had is a well
established, well known and recommended father/son operation out of
Gloucester, MA. I thought I had picked a good one. He was even
recommended by the Haverhill, MA harbormaster.

I also accept some of the responsibility. With all the boats I've owned,
old and new, and the knowledge and experiences I've gained (in addition
to $$$ spent) I should have investigated this boat more personally.

Oh well. No big deal. It can be fixed.

Eisboch


Sorry to butt in...but I assume you'll be sending a note to your surveyor
and whatever association he belongs to to report his carelessness last
year.
As you said before...if a large amount of oil had leaked into the water in
your boating area...we'd probably have to go visit you on the weekends.


Waste of time. Read the fine print of any surveyor's contract and you
will find that they are held harmless to anything they may have missed.

Eisboch