Survey cost, moisture readings, etc

[family affair]

How much should a hull/transom survey cost for a 25 footer?
How does one make sure the guy doing it knows what the he!! he's doing?
How is a stringer or transom properly inspected for moisture, rot, or delamination?
I've heard a moisture meter is only as good as the person using it and that the results can vary widely. Will the surveyor make any guarantees in writing?

 

[richie rich]

At least a few hundred based on a couple of hours work for that size boat
You don't...its by reputation....he should have a master checklist of everything he goes over and should submit a report to you in writing
Stringers are tough...can't really see them or have access to them...if you can pull the hatch covers you can look for discolored or dark areas in the lamination.....for a transom, he'll do a moisture reading, tapping, and maybe even a test boring if he finds something from the tapping or meter.
A moisture reading is a tough scenario..many things can affect it.....to get the most accurate readings the bottom paint should be off and the bilge should be dry...........not sure if anyone actually gives a guarantee...but you can always ask

 

[LeapFrog]

SAMS is the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors... Go to their website and pick a couple local surveyors from their list to call and talk with prior to hiring one... I was pleased with the surveyor I hired for mine... being a few hundred miles from the boat I was buying, I felt very comfortable with him and the work he was performing...
There are no 100% gaurantees... While bringing the boat home, I had a remote oil pump issue 200 miles from the broker... unfortunately one of those things that "just happen"...
You will get a written report as the final product that has standard legal disclaimers... If you narrow your search for a surveyor to a couple, ask for a sample survey from a previous job and read through it for the legal responsibilities...
My survey contained a "punch list" prioritized from the "must do" safety issues (flares were out of date) to the courtesy light bulb needed replacing... this was sent to the broker to be negotiated off the price or repaired... the money I saved covered the cost of the survey and more importantly I got piece of mind that I was getting a seaworthy boat!

 

[family affair]

Great advice guys. Thanks!!

 

[BobP]

Good questions. A SAMS guy who worked for me screwed up and missed stuff big time.

Ask around (here too) for recomendations, don't ask where you are buying - as I did. Live and learn.

And interview persons, ask what experienec with Gradys and what was found bad, ask specifically his limitations on determining stringer and bulkhead and transom condition. If never found anything bad other than busted door latch with Grady, try someone else.
Unless you are interested in a rubber stamp. Rubber stamp surveyors are very popular for obvious reason - the boats will sell.

The fine print in the SAMS boiler plate report basically allows surveyor to get away with murder, IMHO, and no legal recourse.
You can also try a boat repair/restoration facility for someone - ask again about Grady experience. SAMS is not a necessity especially on smaller boats like ours, big ships is a different deal. Check with your insurance company if concerned on certifications.

As for the outboard motors, hire a motor mechanic, surveyors don't do them.

Good luck. I'll never hire a surveyor again, will do it myself next time !

 

[bsavoie]

We used a surveyor earlier this year, certified, etc, cost around $650 including compression tests & sea trial.

 

[fastal]

kind of shadowing BobP's comments and by coincidence I have the same boat/same year as him. I had a full survey done. Gentlemen was an accredited SAMS surveyor and I got and confirmed two referances for him. to say the least he missed alot of stuff that i have been paying for the last three years. if i had to do it over again i would hire an experienced boat builder/fiberglass expert and a certified mechanic for what ever type of motor is on the boat.

 

[uncljohn]

Note the depending on whether you are financing, you may be required to have a survey from a certified marine surveyour, in which case a "boat builder" or "mechanic" will not suffice. My surveyour did a good job, found lots of things I never would have seen, and was worth every penny. It cost me about $300 for a 228.