Surveys

[roundIII]

I am in the process of selling my boat. Potential buyer requested a survey be done for insurance purposes, no problem. As we move closer to the date, next week, he now wants a comprehensive engine survey also. I had a bad experience when that was done on my last boat sale 11 years ago where the engine surveyor did some damage and would not cover the costs of repair.

What is the responsibility of a surveyor if damages are done? My concern is what happened last time and a repeat of same. Is there anyway I can protect myself?

RR

 

[Boatsb]

Make sure the engine surveyor is not a fly by night and ask what process they have for repairing issues caused by the survey

 

[captddis]

Best protection is being onboard and not letting the surveyor do any thing that you feel is out of line.
I have told many that I would not do some that is not in the normal operation of the boat.
A survey is to see if everything operates correctly, not to see if they can break it.

 

[Scarlett]

I agree with captidds it is your boat and you should have the last word on what is done. I am a surveyor and am very careful to leave the boat I survey as I found it, including remaking beds when I have to get under them etc. I had a survey done on my last boat when I sold it and I threw the surveyor off the boat for some things he did wrong and insisted the buyer get another surveyor and they did and all was well in the end with the deal. John

 

[roundIII]

Thanks for the replies.

I made a decision today after a lot of thought and decided not to sell the boat to this buyer. Wrong boat for him and I just did not feel right about it on many levels. I have bought and sold cars, boats houses and horses and this is the first time I have ever made a decision like this one. Had nothing to do with the money as it was a full price deal. Just crazy I guess.



R

 

[JonHupp]

This is understandable. I once almost sold a 100 year-old house to a couple that had only purchased brand new houses in the past. It was obvious that this was going to be a disaster. They wanted every part and system of the house 'certified' (whatever that means) and simply could not understand why some of the floors had some slope to them, why all of the windows were not the same age, etc. It became so clear that I strongly suggested that they look for something much newer or build a new house themselves.

 

[jim rosenthal]

A good decision. Hopefully you didn't give them any builders' names as they would probably hate you for doing it. LOL

 

[Finalee]

Agree wholeheartedly. Some buyers are just not worth the trouble.

 

[Avenger]

Had nothing to do with the money as it was a full price deal.

Right up until the survey.

If you had that uneasy feeling there's a reason.

 

[doc g]

Honestly , it depends on what you are selling and for what price. ......Pat

 

[Walter P]

What I find unreasonable about selling an older boat like most of ours is that many buyers seem to think that the 30 year old boat should be as good as new...surprise..they won't be. IMO a survey is to alert the new prospective buyer of any issues that may need repair which may or may not be a negotiating point. What you see is what you get. If the result of the survey are not good enough for you then keep looking. Insofar as tearing into an engine for a thorough survey, I think I would have issues with that as well. Sure removing the inspection plates to inspect the cylinder liners are not a problem, but to mess around with the rack and injectors to check compression on a Detroit is not for just any surveyor to do and I would really need to make sure that engine surveyor is completely qualified and is willing to come back to make adjustments to the rack if necessary.

Walt

 

[roundIII]

Interesting responses all. If buyers are not reasonable in their expectations then it must be us because we seem to be trading up or down and are the main ones that are moving the inventory if you believe everything we write on this site. Are we being unreasonable with each other? I try and treat someone that is selling a boat as I would like to be treated but maybe there is a bit of denial going on. Maybe just a sign of the times or maybe the new buyers coming into the OLD HATTERAS market just don't know enough about actual mechanics to own one of these old boats.

RR

 

[Seapig100]

Interesting responses all. If buyers are not reasonable in their expectations then it must be us because we seem to be trading up or down and are the main ones that are moving the inventory if you believe everything we write on this site. Are we being unreasonable with each other? I try and treat someone that is selling a boat as I would like to be treated but maybe there is a bit of denial going on. Maybe just a sign of the times or maybe the new buyers coming into the OLD HATTERAS market just don't know enough about actual mechanics to own one of these old boats.RR

This is exactly why I am interested in an old boat. You can get an amazing deal if you are able and willing to get your hands dirty. With that said as a potential buyer I still want a complete boat that is not a pos.