Survey for a 18' used boat??

[icechunk]

I am in the market for a used starter boat and I found one listed by a local marina for $5400. Now its about 5 years old and looks good from outside. Should I spend money on hiring a marine surveyor inspecting the boat a little more thoroughly than I ever could, being a beginner and all.<br /><br />Thanks for the feedback

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Survey for a 18' used boat??

if this is your first boat and you dont wanna lose your shorts on the deal.... GET THE SURVEY! its real cheap insurance. they will check areas and stuff you would never think of.<br /><br />i had a survey done on a 34 foot houseboat and it was about 100 dollars, took about an hour, and i wouldnt 've had a clue with out it! im very glad i did..<br /><br />youll never meet anybody who got a survey and wish they never did, but you WILL MEET people who didnt but wish they did...<br /><br />ive been boating for years, and currently own 4 boats, all fixer uppers, but even I WOULD get a servey if i was getting a "really good boat", i.e, real money<br /><br />m ikey

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Survey for a 18' used boat??

Only get one if you are ready to put the money down. Take a test ride, a long one, use your ears, eyes and nose to identify things that may be wrong. When everything is up to snuff with your evaluation and you are ready to buy - bring in the surveyor as Mike says as the ultimate insurance policy.<br /><br />Mike's right on "cheap insurance"!!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Survey for a 18' used boat??

Would you spend $5400.00 on a car if you knew nothing about cars?<br /><br />If you decide not to go with a surveyor at least take someone along for the test ride who knows boats & is mechanically savy.<br /><br />What brand, how long & size/brand/year of motor?? There are a lot of guys here that might give you some input.

 

[rml]

Re: Survey for a 18' used boat??

My .02, in previous posts I have always praised the value of the marine survey and the potential $$ savings of having one vs. the $ spent to have one. However, on a 18' with an asking price of $5400...hmmm....that's a tough one. Assuming the survey costs $400-500 with a sea trial, the ratio of "cost for survey"/"boat price" is nearly 10% -- IMHO, that's a bit steep. Five year old boat...5000 clams: I would post the details of the boat/motor/trailer here, check nadaguides.com for a really rough estimate of value, wait a day or two for feedback from the fine folk on the iboats forums, try to find a local boat guru (someone who knows: marine fiberglass, framing & engines) who would "look over" the boat for you for a hundred bucks or so (keeps the ratio below 3%).<br /><br />Now if the guru tells you not to buy 'cause the Johnson Bar has deteriorated, takes your $100 bucks -- and then you see 'em fishing in that very boat a couple weeks later...now that's an entirely different topic <br /><br />Good luck whatever you decide to do, and welcome to the forums.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br /> --rml