Hull Surveyor and Cummins Diesel Mechanic Recommendation SW Florida?

[scallywag]

Hey Guys,

Can anybody recommend a good hull surveyor in the Fort Myers area? Also, I need a good diesel mechanic for the mechanical survey. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bugsy]

Dan Mattos for the engine survey.

I used Steve Berlin for the hull but was very disappointed to learn he did a "cut and paste" from a years old survey on the same boat so won't now recommend him.

 

[saltshaker]

Dave Hinkle for the engine survey 941-350-5934. Dave surveyed and worked on my engines. I'd highly recommend him for either. I used Arlen Leiner for the hull survey. I wouldn't use him again if it was free.

 

[scallywag]

Great info, thanks guys. I have Dan Mattos and Steve Berlin setup for the survey/sea trial this Friday. Steve was highly recommended from several other people, so hopefully I don't get a "cut and paste" job like you did. I'll be present for the survey so hopefully that has a positive effect.

 

[foleyjt]

I would not recommend Dan Mattos, in fact I'd run as far away from him as possible. But if you go with him, better specifically request and pay for a compression check, and keep both eyes on him. I'd be willing to share specifics in a PM. My engines are DD, so maybe he knows something about Cummins Engines. On the other hand, Ronald Everson of Maritime Marine Service was a gentleman and did an excellent job on the hull

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Why are you surveying Scallywag, or is this for a different boat?

 

[scallywag]

I would not recommend Dan Mattos, in fact I'd run as far away from him as possible. But if you go with him, better specifically request and pay for a compression check, and keep both eyes on him. I'd be willing to share specifics in a PM. My engines are DD, so maybe he knows something about Cummins Engines. On the other hand, Ronald Everson of Maritime Marine Service was a gentleman and did an excellent job on the hull

Well crap... now I'm really concerned. Dan also came highly recommended from three different sources and seemed to really be on the ball regarding Cummins during my interview with him on the phone. Dan has been on the boat before and has prior oil analysis samples as a baseline (which I thought was great). Please share specifics via PM!

Why are you surveying Scallywag, or is this for a different boat?

We're in the process of buying a boat. Classic Hatts have peaked our interest for a long while, so I've been lurking on this board soaking up the wealth of knowledge.

We ran into a deal on a 70' custom motoryacht with Cummins 6CTIs. So maybe we won't end up owning a Hatteras after all. Good fuel consumption and great layout for our family of 6. Fit and finish is nice. Mechanically, everything is to industrial standards and very accessible. Although we can expect more maintenance on her aluminum hull compared to fiberglass, she is a home run if she gets past survey. Fingers are crossed.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/199...OTORYACHT-2462330/Fort-Myers/FL/United-States

Basic refit, new electronics, and betting on major overhaul around the corner.

 

[saltshaker]

At 300HP those Cummins 6CTA's should be good for a while, providing they've been cared for. I'd be more concerned about the hull survey than the engines. Sure you want good surveyors for both but you need a good surveyor who is a true expert on aluminum boats. This is a totally different animal than a glass boat. There can be significant issues with aluminum hulls in saltwater. Make sure your surveyor knows what to look for and clearly explains any deficiencies he finds. Some things that seem minor can be huge on an aluminum hull. I've looked at a few Strikers over the years. They are well known for their quality of construction. Those that were well maintained regularly had the hull checked. There is a process where they remove the bottom paint in small spots and measure the thickness of the hull through out. Electrolysis is a major concern. Make sure everything is properly bonded. Paint is also a big issue. It can cost you twice as much to paint an aluminum boat, particularly if the paint is cracked or peeling. With that said, there are plenty of great aluminum boats out there. Hopefully this is one of them. Just make sure your surveyor knows what to look for and what the cost to repair any deficiencies may be. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[scallywag]

At 300HP those Cummins 6CTA's should be good for a while, providing they've been cared for. I'd be more concerned about the hull survey than the engines. Sure you want good surveyors for both but you need a good surveyor who is a true expert on aluminum boats. This is a totally different animal than a glass boat. There can be significant issues with aluminum hulls in saltwater. Make sure your surveyor knows what to look for and clearly explains any deficiencies he finds. Some things that seem minor can be huge on an aluminum hull. I've looked at a few Strikers over the years. They are well known for their quality of construction. Those that were well maintained regularly had the hull checked. There is a process where they remove the bottom paint in small spots and measure the thickness of the hull through out. Electrolysis is a major concern. Make sure everything is properly bonded. Paint is also a big issue. It can cost you twice as much to paint an aluminum boat, particularly if the paint is cracked or peeling. With that said, there are plenty of great aluminum boats out there. Hopefully this is one of them. Just make sure your surveyor knows what to look for and what the cost to repair any deficiencies may be. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for the input saltshaker. Originally, I was set on a fiberglass boat... the devil I know instead of the devil I don't know. After beeing on a few Broward Yachts I started to research aluminum hulls and have learned a bit about aluminum's strengths and weaknesses. I still have a lot to learn.

The hull surveyor will be ultrasounding the hull measuring for wastage and has quite a bit of experience alloy hulled boats. I've been working with the builder, who has been very helpful, to pull the original plate thickness numbers. The hull shows a bit of paint blistering and its apparent she is due for paint soon. I understand painting will be a big ticket item with all of the fairing and prep that is involved. As long as the hull is structurally sound, plate thicknesses are within spec, weld joints show no signs of deterioration or defect, we should have ourselves a boat.

The house just went under contract yesterday... so now it gets terrifying.

 

[saltshaker]

Thanks for the input saltshaker. Originally, I was set on a fiberglass boat... the devil I know instead of the devil I don't know. After beeing on a few Broward Yachts I started to research aluminum hulls and have learned a bit about aluminum's strengths and weaknesses. I still have a lot to learn.

The hull surveyor will be ultrasounding the hull measuring for wastage and has quite a bit of experience alloy hulled boats. I've been working with the builder, who has been very helpful, to pull the original plate thickness numbers. The hull shows a bit of paint blistering and its apparent she is due for paint soon. I understand painting will be a big ticket item with all of the fairing and prep that is involved. As long as the hull is structurally sound, plate thicknesses are within spec, weld joints show no signs of deterioration or defect, we should have ourselves a boat.

The house just went under contract yesterday... so now it gets terrifying.

Sounds like you're in good shape. Aluminum boats are very strong when built properly. Biggest problem is poor or lack of maintenance. Talk to some yards who regularly paint aluminum boats, to get an idea of what it will cost to paint. Painting a 70MY is going to be expensive. If you already have an issue with paint bonding, the cost can be high. Consider that you are also limited to where you can get the work done due to the size of the boat. I would think she'll run at least 125K to paint.

 

[scallywag]

Sounds like you're in good shape. Aluminum boats are very strong when built properly. Biggest problem is poor or lack of maintenance. Talk to some yards who regularly paint aluminum boats, to get an idea of what it will cost to paint. Painting a 70MY is going to be expensive. If you already have an issue with paint bonding, the cost can be high. Consider that you are also limited to where you can get the work done due to the size of the boat. I would think she'll run at least 125K to paint.

That sounds about right. The figures I've been hearing are hovering around 6 figures. Additionally, it sounds like the service life of each paint job is significantly less than fiberglass.

One thing that will be driving me nuts is the painted aluminum rub rail. I mean... really? A painted rub rail? I'm going to have to become a master of the roll and tip touchup. I can't even imagine what that first "proper use of the rub rail" is going to feel like after dropping 6 figures on fresh paint.