saved me from buying a beautiful boat a few years ago...that had a rotten transom.

So you guys think I should get the survey? Just kidding! I lined one up after the 3rd reply. And yes its better to know, rather than wonder. Thnks guys.

I know a guy who had a survey done. Found some " minor "
rot and the seller agreed to fix. When done surveyor looked again and said " The boat should be good for many years."

The seller and buyer both agreed that the engines would need to be rebuilt in the near future, and a deal was made.

Near the end of the season one of the engines went, no suprise.

However when the engines were removed this boat had rot
from one end to the other. Stringers , bulkheads , transom
everything. The guy calls the surveyor and tells him what he found. He asks him if he has insurance, and was told that the
only thing he would do for him was refund the cost of the survey. The guy contacts an attorney who tells him he's just
throwing good money after bad.

So what's a survey worth ? And is there some recourse ?

Similar thing happend to me!!!! Boat surveyed solid. But when I pulled the motors at the end of the year. Found a rotted transom. Ended up getting my money back from the surveyor. But costed me the expence of replacing the transom!! Good Question!!!!

A pre-purchase survey is great comfort when "spending" money on a boat.I recently bought a Boat from Michigan and the seller was a complete,absolute mumbling moron.I could never get a concrete answer to any of my questions as he was a low talker and would dance around my questions.He had the boat that I've always wanted and after 5 weeks of talking with this dumb azz I decided to hire a surveyor instead of flying out to Michigan.

This surveyor discribed this boat dead balls on accurate,according to his opinions.The surveyor said the boat is a "diamond in the rough".Long story short,I drove out to get the boat I've always wanted and the survey was fairly accurate.....the boat was in better condition than I thought it was.

Get a survey prior to spending cash.

Survey is important, sometimes you may over look something because you want everything to be right. Its a good second opinion. Plus when you go to sell the boat next year, you can give them the survey.

No one, including a surveyor, has a crystal ball or X-ray vision. Properly-used moisture meter & physical sounding will uncover almost all rot/delamination, IF the surveyor knows what he's looking for. Your surveyor needs to be familiar with the type of boat being surveyed, or it IS a waste-of-money. Lay-up style/construction methods, manufacturer history, previous owner history can all help paint a reasonably accurate picture. For references, call a ( another) dealer in the same region as the boat you're considering purchasing. They should be able to provide some contact info on reputable/knowledgable surveyors...call them all(surveyors) and see who you communicate with the best.
Hugh

Hugh........I agree, no one can find everything or have x-ray
vision.

My question is still........when they miss everything and tell
you its all good. You're paying for a professional service,
what is a persons recourse?....

Do they carry errors and omissions insurance?
Should you get a copy of their certificate of insurance with your survey?

Maybe I should start another sererate thread to find answers.

Mike

Seems to me all there really is to get concerned about on these go boats are the motors and drives. Get some compression and leak downs and an evaluation by a mechanic on the drives and you are 95 % there, This assumes you know how to identify a beat up boat and one that has been well cared for on your own.
Spend the money on the tests not the visuals.