Ok, I have never had to deal with having a survey done on another persons boat before purchase. Is it typical for the potential buyer to pay for a survey or the present owner??? Also on out of state boats...do you take a surveyor with you that you trust or try to line one up that is somewhat local to the location of the boat you are going to possibly buy and take a chance on his credibility??

I would say its a 50/50 as to who pays for it. I would want to pay for the survey myself just so there is no question as to who the suveryer is working for. I would also try to use a local (to the boat) surveyer that was recomended by an independent source, such as someone on this board.
I just missed a deal on a Florida boat and my plan was this.
1) Send a deposit check contingent on securing insurance and the survey. (Insurance was quoted and accepted, just needed the binder)
2) Have the survey lined up for the day I arived in Florida.
3) Sea trial the boat and have a local dealer go through the motors.
4) Through a wire transfer have my bank pay off the loan on the boat, directly.
5) Write a check, wire transfer or pay cash for the balance do to the current owner.
6) Trailer the boat home.
I figured, with a bit of advanced planning, this could all be done in 1-1 1/2 days.
The surveyer and engine shop were recommended by board members here that were in the same area as the boat I was looking at.

Like Tantrum said, pay for it yourself so that the guy is working for you. I got three surveys done last year, the first two were boats that were kept in the water and they failed (one badly, one was on the line). I did find some things on both surveys that I had missed. good money spent IMO. Third time was a charm (for me!)

Also make sure to use a credible surveyor that actually knows performance boats. Make sure they are certified by NAMS or SAMS so that the survey is actually usable to get a loan and insurance (along with making sure the boat is what it is advertised to be) Surveyors don't need to be licensed and USCG licensed captain doesn't necessarily qualify someone to be a surveyor.
just my two cents...