What should be checked on a survey

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flightconn

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I had a pre-purchase survey done on a 1990 Cooper Prowler. After the purchase I was a little disappointed to find so many things not working that were not mentioned in the survey.
2 blowers, one didn't work and one sounded like it had a bad bearing; neither had ducting down the lower 1/3 of the engine compartment and they were located at the top of the compartment.
One windshield wiper does not work
Horn did not work
Said water heater had a slight leak and would need to be replaced sooner rather than later; in fact, it leaked so bad it was not hooked up to electricity or water.
Running lamps and many others were burned out
I paid close to 700.00 for the survey
These are small things but I wonder if I got ripped off or are these not included in a survey.
 
I think you got screwed on your survey. Any pre-purchase survey I ever had was a soup to nuts check of all systems including all the things you mention plus, but not limited to, TV, VCR, microwave, radios, CD players, all helm electronics, electrical panel, lighting... everything. My last pre-purchase survey (a Silverton 351) took over 7 hours not including a seperate engine survey. I can't believe any surveyor worth his salt would miss the bad blowers!!!
 
i agree... a pre purchase survey includes testing all of the systems although most of the stuff on your list are things that i woudl have checked myself before survey...
 
Your surveyor screwed you over. Name him so no one else falls prey to this amateur.

Every system on the boat should be checked, all hoses looked at and inspected, inspections on fiberglass tabbing, stringers, everything on the boat. Running gear, hull bottom, the whole nine yards.
 
I agree with all who have responded to your post. Sounds like the surveyor did a fast walk throw. Have you contacted him about a refund?
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I think before I post his name I will have a talk with him about this. He seemed like a good guy and spent a lot of time on the phone with me talking about my first boat so I am kind of surprised by the results of the survey.

Mike
 
Probably spent more time with you on the phone than he did on the boat.
 
Hey Mike, what about the 12 minute survey I did on that stinky Silverton in Seaford for you? You think that was not complete enough? I still have to forward my invoice to you...

But seriously, sounds like your surveyor was the bro-in-law of the seller. There must be professional liability/insurance of some sort for you to fall back upon. Maybe he has coverage for his sketchy job.
 
On the surface it seems that the surveyor may have missed things. On the other hand, many of those things may have worked during his survey. If they were ok during his survey, he checked them off as good. Contact him and see what he has to say.
 
Too many items not working, no way they all stopped working at once.

Surveyor fail!
 
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