There is a boat that we may be interested in purchasing. Of course, I
will have it surveyed first. My question is this: What should I expect
from the accredited surveyor's report? I know of two marine survey
groups: SAMS and NAMS. Is one any better than the other? Since this
is a pre-purchase survey, I will want it to be as thorough as is
practical. I would expect that my bank would want the same as well.
For those in the group that have had surveys done in the past, was
there anything that you forgot to ask or request? Any practical advice
would be most appreciated.

BTW, the boat we're considering is a 1998 Sea Ray 360 Express Cruiser.
I do know that the current owner - an acquaintance of ours - had the
boat surveyed a couple of years ago after learning of the end-core
balsa issue that Sea Rays had been having. I seem to recall that the
problem was limited to boats 39' and up. Either way, the boat passed
with flying colors at the time.

Thanks in advance

Keith

Be sure to use your own surveyor, but buying from a pvt party, it
sounds as thought you'd do that anyway.

The surveys I've bought did not include the engines. That would have
had to be done by another surveyor who did only propulsion gear. and I
didn't want to pay the extra. I was lucky and didn't get burned.

Consider the survey your private party. You don't have to share it with
anyone. I once backed out of a boat sale after the survey and the next
interested party bought the survey from me, saving him money and
reimbursing me much of the cost.

Dale

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

keith


Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On 21 Aug 2006 18:18:19 -0700, "k_mac"
wrote:

There is a boat that we may be interested in purchasing. Of course, I
will have it surveyed first. My question is this: What should I expect
from the accredited surveyor's report?

Everything and anything. You should attend the survey and bring up
any concerns you noticed on inspection prior to the purchase
agreement. Ask questions - that's what you are paying the surveyor
for.

Around here, and I suspect elsewhere, surveys include a sea trial in
which the boat will be put through it's paces to determine the state
of the engines.

In my experience, there are three parts to a survey. One is hull,
operating systems, cosmetics, interior inspection (similar to what a
house goes through). That's a basic survey. Second would be an
engine inspection - compression check, oil stuff, things like that.
Third would be the sea trial. All are generally separate parts of the
survey and each is an additional cost to you.

I know of two marine survey groups: SAMS and NAMS. Is one any
better than the other?

Not in my experience. Most surveyors are knowledgeable, capable and
educated in the things that can go wrong and have a great deal of
practical experience and the SAMS/NAMS certifications is an extra
credential attesting to their skills.

Since this is a pre-purchase survey, I will want it to be as thorough as is
practical. I would expect that my bank would want the same as well.
For those in the group that have had surveys done in the past, was
there anything that you forgot to ask or request? Any practical advice
would be most appreciated.

I've had both used and new surveys done and the surveyor caught things
that I never even thought about. That's their job.

The surveyor is not there for the seller, the surveyor is your agent
in all things marine - as I said, attend the survey, ask tons of
questions and get a good feel for the boat.

k_mac wrote:


Follow this link for a list of characteristics of a thorough marine
survey:

http://www.nwyachtbrokers.com/survey.htm

k_mac wrote:
There is a boat that we may be interested in purchasing. Of course, I
will have it surveyed first. My question is this: What should I expect
from the accredited surveyor's report? I know of two marine survey
groups: SAMS and NAMS. Is one any better than the other? Since this
is a pre-purchase survey, I will want it to be as thorough as is
practical. I would expect that my bank would want the same as well.
For those in the group that have had surveys done in the past, was
there anything that you forgot to ask or request? Any practical advice
would be most appreciated.

BTW, the boat we're considering is a 1998 Sea Ray 360 Express Cruiser.
I do know that the current owner - an acquaintance of ours - had the
boat surveyed a couple of years ago after learning of the end-core
balsa issue that Sea Rays had been having. I seem to recall that the
problem was limited to boats 39' and up. Either way, the boat passed
with flying colors at the time.

Thanks in advance

Keith

Keith,

I would check the BoatUS site, they have listings of surveyors all over
the country. You should get a very in depth report on the boat covering
the hull, engines, electronics, equipment, ect., probably eight to a
dozen pages long. And a good survey is worth it's weight in gold, you
would be surprised at what they may find. Your also going to need it
for financing as well as insurance.

John

Thanks, Chuck. This is what I was looking for when I did a Google
search but could not find it on the first several hits that came up.

keith


Chuck Gould wrote:
k_mac wrote:


Follow this link for a list of characteristics of a thorough marine
survey:

http://www.nwyachtbrokers.com/survey.htm

remember that you paying for and "opinion"

most surveyors have a legal disclaimer at the end of there survey.

I have had good and bad luck with surveyors.

I have had boats surveyed and appraised with different surveyors
one surveyor said the boat was worth 25,000 for scrap, and the other
stated it was worth 97,000

what is wrong with this picture

I would recommend a surveyor with a degree in Marine architecture or
nautical engineering. Rather then one with a degree in communications
or political science.

Now is nothing wrong with these degrees.

this is just a though

M



On 21 Aug 2006 18:18:19 -0700, "k_mac"
wrote:

There is a boat that we may be interested in purchasing. Of course, I
will have it surveyed first. My question is this: What should I expect
from the accredited surveyor's report? I know of two marine survey
groups: SAMS and NAMS. Is one any better than the other? Since this
is a pre-purchase survey, I will want it to be as thorough as is
practical. I would expect that my bank would want the same as well.
For those in the group that have had surveys done in the past, was
there anything that you forgot to ask or request? Any practical advice
would be most appreciated.

BTW, the boat we're considering is a 1998 Sea Ray 360 Express Cruiser.
I do know that the current owner - an acquaintance of ours - had the
boat surveyed a couple of years ago after learning of the end-core
balsa issue that Sea Rays had been having. I seem to recall that the
problem was limited to boats 39' and up. Either way, the boat passed
with flying colors at the time.

Thanks in advance

Keith