Might Need a Detroit and Hull Surveyor in Ft. Lauderdale

[Sadey]

We have an offer pending on a boat in southeast Florida. If accepted we plan to have a thorough engine survey. Then a hull survey if the motors are good. Can anybody recommend a couple of people that have a great record please?

 

[Sadey]

Okay, have to bump this thread. Now we need a surveyor for motors and hull. Our offer been accepted so as they say $#^t just got real!!

Anybody please?

 

[jet55]

I will find a few options for you by the time you are back from your boat ride.

 

[Byresch]

Steve Kambrick in Bradenton, FL is good. He goes all over southern Florida. His number is 904-465-6854, I know 3 people that have used him and have been pleased.

 

[Sadey]

Looks like we are going with Ron Doerr for the DD’s and Jonathan Howe for the hull. Any thoughts?

 

[SeaEric]

Looks like we are going with Ron Doerr for the DD’s and Jonathan Howe for the hull. Any thoughts?

Both excellent choices IMHO and experience.

 

[Sadey]

I hate to even ask this but just curious. Is $3375 plus $175 per day for travel charges about right for a two day survey with a father son team?
I look at surveys as a very inexpensive temporary insurance policy as long as they are as thorough as possible and done by pros. Thoughts?
By the way the survey for the Detroits is about $1500 so that is fair considering the local dealer wants around $3500.

 

[Boatsb]

2 men for 2 days and they document the survey .

Do the math.

2 x 8 =16 hours each.

16x2 = 32 hours total.

Add another 4 to 8 hours of paperwork.

Figure a realistic rate of $100 per hour.

Is there any remaining questions?

 

[Sadey]

The reason I ask is my broker in Chicago seemed to think that's high so I just wanted a second opinion. It doesn't seem out of the park to me considering the amount of work ahead of them. That and the surveyor is very familiar with old Hats and was recommend by a few different independent sources.
Thank you for the fast reply. Kinda hope the Florida broker thinks the surveyor is a pain.

 

[Scarlett]

Wow can I work for them, I am a surveyor and my charge for that job without engines and gens would be $17.00 per foot which would also include an out of the water bottom inspection and a short sea trail. If the boat is under 70 feet it should only take one long day depending upon how far you have to go for the haul out. I guess surveys are a lot cheaper on the west coast . John

 

[Freeebird]

2 men for 2 days and they document the survey .

Do the math.

2 x 8 =16 hours each.

16x2 = 32 hours total.

Add another 4 to 8 hours of paperwork.

Figure a realistic rate of $100 per hour.

Is there any remaining questions?

* Are

Since when does it take two guys two days to do a survey?

Sounds high to me.

 

[Boatsb]

Thanks for the grammar lesson.

So if the survey is detailed enough to take 2 men 2 days is it ok by you?

I've seen quick surveys lower cost and detailed ones at higher. $20 a foot for a standard is probably normal. If the buyer wants everything checked and documented it can be more.

 

[SeaEric]

By the time you get done with an inspection by Jon Howe and his son you will know exactly what you're buying. They are IMHO among the best in the business.

 

[SeaEric]

Kinda hope the Florida broker thinks the surveyor is a pain.

I'm sure he will.

 

[RonNP]

I'm on the liberal West Coast so prices may be different but for my boat survey a few years ago I paid $1260 and was thrilled with the results. He didn't miss a thing and spent 6 hours.
My diesel survey was $1000 and was worth every penny. He spent 3/4 of a day checking things out.

 

[Passages]

I purchased a 63MY two years ago in Fort Lauderdale.

I used local Surveyors. Malcolm Elliot - Florida Nautical Surveyors for the hull. Charge was $22/foot. 2 guys for 1 long day plus a few hours writing the report. They did a good job and did not miss anything significant.

Engine survey was done by Jack Dibella of Marine Diesel & Engineering and included (2) DD 8-92's and (2) generators. Also included was oil analysis. His cost was a flat $1800 and he too missed nothing.

 

[Sadey]

So it seems my surveyors are slightly high. However I’m told these guys are excellent so for the few extra bucks I’m not going to fret. Can’t thank all of you HOF folks enough for the responses, especially the ones that reached out via PM. Hopefully before the end of the month we can change our ownerships status from “another brand” to a Hatteras. Pictures to follow.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Frankly it's a lot less expensive than fixing what an incomplete survey will miss. You want the palying field tiled towards you, not away, in this instance.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Well worth it. You made an offer subject to surveys. Other than the picky stuff, you assign a cost to the deficiencies and decide what portion you then deduct from the offer. Your offer might not even be close to the final price based on a thorough survey. Might be seller will be insulted by an unflattering appraisal of his boat and walk. My updated offer, based on Aslan’s surveys, was so much lower than the contract price my broker initially refused to pass it along. When I left him no choice, he forwarded the offer but assured me the seller wouldn’t even reply, much less counter. Twenty minutes later, I bought Aslan at MY price. Moral of the story: You’re way better off finding what’s there now because you will find it for certain down the road when you’re paying.