I bought a1999 Formula 382 in September 2007 . I noticed water in the bilge but forum members seemed to think 5 gallons or so was pretty normal. This year when I put it in the water the bilge pumps were keeping up but just barely. To make a long story short the transom was rotten all the way to keel.

A lawyer friend thinks I ought to make a claim against his “omissions” insurance. Conventional wisdom has held that surveyors are pretty immune to claims and I am wondering if anyone has ever made a claim

it depends on what is disclosed in the survey even then its still doubtful youd get anywhere. it has also been almost two years since purchase, that will make it tough as well. in the end it may cost as much going after the surveyor as it would to just get it repaired. sorry to hear this, that really sucks.

I agree forget about the surrveyor and get it fixed and enjoy the boat again.

Surveyors are worthless. I hate paying for an opinion.

I'm actually going through the same thing right now. Surveyor missed a completely rotted transom. Not a thing you can really do about it. Very expensive lesson. If he'd done his job correctly, I'd have never bought the boat. From what I've found out, the fight ain't worth the cost. You might try simply confronting him with the embarrassing truth and see if you get any traction that way....some people still have pride in their reputation.

2 year old inspection, we all know what the answer would be. It was ok when he checked it. Do you still have his report? Was there any mention about moisture levels in the transom or any other part of the hull? There should be something about moisture levels somewhere in that report. If not just not looking for soft spots is a halfazzed job. However, not wort the fight. Have you pulled it apart yet? I had a Scarab that was filling up the same way and it turned out to be just the gimble to transom gaskets.

fix it, move along, forget it.. just ride the boat... cheapest way to fix the problem I think

by the way, I'm still surprised, only 10 years old, probably out of water most of its life and rotten transom?????

Take a look at this 04 Rotten transom just out of warranty and he is a second owner.http://forums.endlessboating.com/for...read.php?t=600

my friends 33 Donzi was taking on a lot of water under one motor, turned out that the "Y" pipe block off plate on the transom assembly had rusted out.