Survey/Surveyor

[RohanJ]

I am interested in buying a Tophat and have started looking at the total cost of purchase, including insurance and a survey.

I found a Brisbane based surveyor that would charge $1650 for a 25 foot boat. Due to my naivety, I was surprised as that is a fair percentage of the cost of the boat. I dont know if that is expensive, fair or cheap!

I would love to hear from anyone, either through the forum or directly, what their survey costs were to help put the above cost in perspective and if they can recommend a surveyor in the Brisbane area.

Thanks.
Rohan

[Shaun]

Hi Rohan,
Seems very expensive to me, even if that includes the haul-out on a slipway for an hour or so.
The survey reports I have seen have been little more than a description of the vessel & an inventory of whats onboard.
If you want to save money, take along a friend who knows a lot about boats....dive on the hull, or have it slipped, there may be something you don't like on the initial inspections, then you haven't spent too much money on a survey.
The best thing about surveys is you can use them as a bargaining tool, to reduce the purchase price, if any issues are found.
cheers

[SeaLady]

I think having a survey done by a reputable surveyor to be invaluable.
Before purchasing Sea Lady I had a survey on another boat and the surveyor came to me, took me aside and whispered.
"I would not buy this boat" Told me a few things and then asked if I needed the full report.
I chose to not worry about that particular boat nor the report.

Shortly afterwards asked the same surveyor to look at Sea Lady and he whispered "I WOULD buy this boat"

He did the full report which included essential repairs needed to the rudder and I was able to reduce the price by the cost of the repair.
The survey was also essential for insurance.

Certainly get a friend who knows about boats to take a look.
But I would always get a survey.