The broker is likely to know most or all of the surveyors in your area, so getting a list from him won''t hurt. Many surveyors belong to one of their professional organizations - (Different ones are prevalent in different parts of the country.) - and a surveyor who has taken the trouble to join and who follows the standards they set may be preferable. They have websites with member names. Besides asking the broker, ask for names at a few yards or
repair places. Check out the ones whose names keep coming up. Ask them why you should use them and see how they react. You want someone who communicates well besides knowing boats. Absolutely try to be present for the survey so you can ask questions and hear the answers right there. (Bring a tape recorder if you have one.) You can learn a lot from a surveyor''s comments and tone that will never show up in his written report. Even if the boat "fails" survey - and a surveyor will ALWAYS find something wrong with a boat - you will learn a lot for the next one. Good luck & happy sails!