Survey

[Boaterdan278michigan]

We are going to put an offer in on a boat we're interested in. I'm curious if someone could tell me how much a mechanical survey should cost. The boat has outdrives, so I'd like condition of u-joints, gimbal, alignment, etc. checked. I also want the engines checks, compression, etc., and anything else for a thorough survey. I don't know if a mechanical surveyor has credentials similar to the structural surveyor, perhaps I can find one surveyor who does it all? Thanks in advance.

 

[tpenfield]

Typically it is a Marine Surveyor (structural & fittings) and a certified 'mechanic'. Try to find a surveyor who has a mechanic that they typically work with. Sometimes you will find a surveyor who is also a mechanic. Expect to spend about $1,500 in total perhaps a bit more. Sometimes the boat haulout is extra money. . . . depends on the broker/seller.

 

[tpenfield]

Also, keep in mind that some of the things your are looking to get may not be in the realm of a mechanic, unless the seller agrees. U-joints, Gimbal, and alignment would require the drives to come off, and it may be beyond the normal extent of inspection.

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

Also, keep in mind that some of the things your are looking to get may not be in the realm of a mechanic, unless the seller agrees. U-joints, Gimbal, and alignment would require the drives to come off, and it may be beyond the normal extent of inspection.

Don't you think it would be a good idea? I'm looking at older boats. I guess I'd write that into the offer. Over the years I met owners who have I/Os but didn't under the drives have to come off to grease the ujoints. My current boat is an I/O, every other year the drives came off and I did lube change at the same time. 25 years, knock on wood, no issues.

 

[tpenfield]

It would be a nice idea, but you may get some push-back. Also increase your estimated cost to about $2500 if the drives come off (for inspection of the alignment, gimbal and u-joint bearings).

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

It would be a nice idea, but you may get some push-back. Also increase your estimated cost to about $2500 if the drives come off (for inspection of the alignment, gimbal and u-joint bearings).

Perhaps the owner will have decent service records. If it costs me $1,000.00 extra, and I knew the mechanic was competent, it might be worth it. If I knew bellows, gimbals and u-joints were serviceable, it would be a positive. Especially if they'd grease the u-joints while off.

 

[tpenfield]

I had a couple years of service records from the seller on my boat, which was helpful. A bad bearing you can usually hear on a sea trial. My surprise was after the first year of ownership, the engines (alignment) needed quite a bit of adjustment.

 

[airshot]

Keep in mind that gaskets, gimball bearings, bellows, U joints etc are normal maintenance items like tires and windshield wipers on a car. They are expected to be replaced at some time. Unless the prior owner has service records that show those item have been replaced recently, just consider they will need to be done and use the extra 2K for that inspection cost to replace them. Things like compression tests on the engines can be done yourself. I would be more worried about rotten stringers and transom if a glass boat. Mechanic work is much easier to do in my opinion, than deep fiberglass work.

 

[redneck joe]

Keep in mind that gaskets, gimball bearings, bellows, U joints etc are normal maintenance items like tires and windshield wipers on a car. They are expected to be replaced at some time. Unless the prior owner has service records that show those item have been replaced recently, just consider they will need to be done and use the extra 2K for that inspection cost to replace them. Things like compression tests on the engines can be done yourself. I would be more worried about rotten stringers and transom if a glass boat. Mechanic work is much easier to do in my opinion, than deep fiberglass work.

This

 

[tpenfield]

Also keep in mind that many of the newer bearings (u-joint & gimbal) are the non-grease-able type. Yet another surprise I got when I did my annual maintenance the first year of ownership.

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

Also keep in mind that many of the newer bearings (u-joint & gimbal) are the non-grease-able type. Yet another surprise I got when I did my annual maintenance the first year of ownership.

Thanks. You made some very good points.

 

[tpenfield]

Good luck with the survey and mechanical inspection. If you have not chosen a surveyor, you can find lists of certified surveyors on the SAMS or NAMS websites. I often Google their name/company as you may find various forum posts that can serve as references on their work.

Not sure if you had your prior boats surveyed, but there is no such thing as a 100% clean survey. There will be issues noted, and your challenge may be to figure out what issues are workable and if there are any show-stoppers.

 

[Chris1956]

You could understand some of the financial risk and price out new outdrives from Sterndrive Engineering (SEI), rather than trying to pull them for inspection. They are a couple of K each, which is usually pretty modest in comparison to the boat, it's other systems and the engines.

 

[redneck joe]

Never use a surveyor recommended by the sellers person.

 

[redneck joe]

You could understand some of the financial risk and price out new outdrives from Sterndrive Engineering (SEI), rather than trying to pull them for inspection. They are a couple of K each, which is usually pretty modest in comparison to the boat, it's other systems and the engines.

If SEI still has the three years unconditional warranty, worth it.

 

[jlh3rd]

I was looking at a Sea Ray 240 a few years ago. Still kicking myself for passing on it.
Anyway, the surveyor (recommended by someone on here) said about $1000. That included the driving.

 

[drewm3i]

We are going to put an offer in on a boat we're interested in. I'm curious if someone could tell me how much a mechanical survey should cost. The boat has outdrives, so I'd like condition of u-joints, gimbal, alignment, etc. checked. I also want the engines checks, compression, etc., and anything else for a thorough survey. I don't know if a mechanical surveyor has credentials similar to the structural surveyor, perhaps I can find one surveyor who does it all? Thanks in advance.

Ted's sentiment that I would expect it to cost in the ~$1,500 range for an inspection that would include running and listening to the engines and drives, scanning for codes, combing over service records, checking compression, etc. An oil analysis could also be completed if desired.

I have never heard of anyone having drives removed for such a procedure--and would not recommend doing that as you would end up spending twice as much, and there would be no point in going to the trouble if you aren't going to just go ahead and have things serviced in there. Surveys--mechanical or otherwise--are minimally invasive and do not include the removal and replacement of permanently affixed structures or mechanical equipment.

If you are intent on having the drives removed, I would simply look for a reputable mechanic to complete a full service at your expense and report the findings to you.

 

[cyclops222]

Something to remember about PULLING off or apart any parts. The boat ran perfect. Until YOUR people pulled it apart and reinstalled it incorrectly.