Marine Survey

[wilddunes]

I am considering purchasing a 26 foot boat in Miami. Since I don't live in the area does anyone have a recommendation on a person who will complete a marine survey at a reasonable price?

 

[Philster]

Re: Marine Survey

Rates are similar, so... Expect to spend around $450+. Some surveyors include compression checks and other ''shake downs'' that others don't, so be careful if you worry about price only. Please ask what they do for that price. Some will even investigate the engine computer (on fuel injected engines), while others will charge extra or don't do it at all.

Don't know anyone local, but I did save money by getting a guy with a good rep and he included compression and EFI diagnostics. He wasn't the cheapest, but he was if I wanted the two aforementioned extras done by someone else who would have charged (250 bucks plus) for them.

I think you can search here for one:

http://www.marinesurvey.org/

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Marine Survey

Watch them while they do the survey. I paid for a survey for a twin engine boat. Hull checks & other info was good to see.

I got numbers back for compression checks on all cylinders but there was no way it was done. The surveyor was 300 lbs and it would have been impossible for him to access the outer banks of the engines. I called BS on it after getting the report (also asking him why he either missed a broken spark plug or left a broken one in the engine) and he admitted to not doing it and refunded my money.

Don't get in their way, but watch what they do and you might even learn a few things.