Surveyor Expectations

G

greendoc

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Bought my 1999 Regal 292 Commodore from a Sea Ray dealership this past April. Had a licensed surveyor do a work up on the boat for both myself and of course the bank. Came back effectively clean bill of health, no major problems...some wear and tear as expected b/c of it being a previous salt-water boat, etc.

Needless to say, my mechanic has found a TON of problems with the boat in multiple areas which absolutely should have been caught by the surveyor and if so would have significantly impacted my decision to buy (at least the offer would have been lower or I would have had an expectation of getting stuff fixed prior to delivery by the dealership.)

What recourse do I have with the surveyor at all, if any?

I am in North Carolina, btw.

Thanks!
 
Maybe there is a language difficulty here.

My expectations of a Surveyor are only to accomplish a through BOAT inspection. This includes all hull/structural and attached fixtures. This would include head, safety equipment, lockers, a/c, lights, etc.

The surveyor may or may not do a sea trial. The gentleman who just did the survey on the boat I am buying did do a sea trial.

The Mechanical Inspector/Surveyor is the one that I expect to catch any engine problems. He is the one who does the compression check, fuel system checks, electrical system checks, etc. And gets the oil for oil analysis.

Your question sounds like you only had one person do a survey/inspection of the boat.

G
 
It would be helpful if you would enumerate the problems which the mechanic found. As George noted, the hull surveyor, is responsiable for the hull condition, non engine wiring and electrical, at least part of the fuel system (general condition of hoses and tanks), the suitability for the boat for its intended use, the required equiptment and if the boat is up to ABYC standards. He also places a value on the boat, and deems if it is insurable. He is not responsiable for the mechanical parts of the generator, the main engines, the outdrives etc. For that you need to hire a mechanic to do an engine survey. You definately should have had a sea trial, with both the engine and hull surveyor aboard.

In general, you will not have any recourse against a survey done 6 months ago. Even if you had found a problem a few weeks after the survey, you would have little recourse. Generally surveyors are not bonded or insured, they are not state licensed or regulated.

So let us know what the problems were?
 
quote:
Originally posted by thataway4

It would be helpful if you would enumerate the problems which the mechanic found. As George noted, the hull surveyor, is responsiable for the hull condition, non engine wiring and electrical, at least part of the fuel system (general condition of hoses and tanks), the suitability for the boat for its intended use, the required equiptment and if the boat is up to ABYC standards. He also places a value on the boat, and deems if it is insurable. He is not responsiable for the mechanical parts of the generator, the main engines, the outdrives etc. For that you need to hire a mechanic to do an engine survey. You definately should have had a sea trial, with both the engine and hull surveyor aboard.

In general, you will not have any recourse against a survey done 6 months ago. Even if you had found a problem a few weeks after the survey, you would have little recourse. Generally surveyors are not bonded or insured, they are not state licensed or regulated.

So let us know what the problems were?

Click to expand...


Not insured.. oh please.. each and every marina I work at requires a minimum of 1 mill liability on file to work at the yard along with workman's comp. Your comment sounds like you like state regulation. If so tell me why surveyors are needed at all.. Boat Brokers are already regulated.. and that works _not_.. Fred
 
Fred,

I agree with your comments about liability and workers comp ins for surveyors but not with the comment about brokers being regulated. While brokers may be regulated in FL my experience indicates that is an exception. Each state sets those requirements.
 
All boat salesmen in Florida are not Brokers. The Broker designation is only required if the salesperson is going to sell a boat that is 30 feet or longer.

G
 
What kind of survey did you have done? Was it a survey to determine the value of the boat? This is what most lenders require and has nothing to do with a mechanical survey or sea trial. I wouldn't expect mechanical problems that weren't grossly obvious to show up on a value survey as they don't routinely even start the engines or test other systems like Heat/air, fresh water systems, toilets etc. You get what you ask/pay for. Without a complete/comprhensive survey, it's a crap shoot.
 
while most yards require outside contractors to be insured, i've never seen or heard of a marina to require surveyors to present proof of insurance to inspect a boat and go on a sea trial...

re. original post, what kind of problems were found ? did the survey include an engine survey or was it strictly a hull survey ? how did you find the surveyor, he was not recommended by the dealer, was he ?

are you sure the mechanic isn't exagerating some of the problems?
 
As I have mentioned in other threads like this. When I bought my boat I had a surveyor and a mechanic go through the boat but not at the same time. This allowed me to compare the results of each before I submitted an offer. To rely on a single individual to tell you the condition of a boat is like having a doctor tell you that you have a cancer and surgery is required immediately. That is what second opinions are about. To ensure you have a fully informed, non biased picture.
 
2 questions and a comment.
Greendoc, you say licensed surveyor, who is he/she licenced by?
Yes, all surveyors should have liability insurance which protects them if say, someone cracked their head open from slipping on his flashlight or he dropped the Ming Vase off the shelf. Any mistakes are covered with error and omissions insurance which all surveyors do not have.
What did your mechanic find that the surveyor did not find? I'm assuming your mechanic wants to fix the items he found.
 
quote:
Originally posted by gcolton

All boat salesmen in Florida are not Brokers. The Broker designation is only required if the salesperson is going to sell a boat that is 30 feet or longer.

G

Click to expand...


I think you will find that all Brokerages are required to be licensed by someone with a brokers license. The requirement to get one is
Working for a licensed broker for 3 years, and pay your money.. If you are working for a broker you must pay your 250 bucks per year for a license it has nothing to do with boat length. Also I never said the system works.. car dealers must also have a license.
 
fmoor, all borkerage houses may be required to have a liscensed owner and/or principal. However, each of the salesmen working there are not required to be brokers unless they are going to sell over 30ft boats.

G
 
In our area it seems like the only requirement to become a boat broker is a pulse.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rommer

In our area it seems like the only requirement to become a boat broker is a pulse.

Click to expand...


That's not even required John.
 
Still no word from the original poster about the problems. Makes me wonder why the initial post and then no follow up?
Regards Bill
 
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