Pre Purchase Tips

[Sue & Larry]

When choosing a surveyor, don't blindly accept one that's recommended by the selling broker. Conflicts of interest do exist so do some homework to make sure that you are well represented. The surveyor works for you, the buyer. Pre-purchase surveys run around $10 to 12 per foot, plus a haul-out charge of $4 to 7 per foot. Both costs are the responsibility of the buyer. Plan to be there during the survey, and stick as close to the surveyor as possible to learn as much about your future boat as you can. Don't be nervous during the survey. You, the buyer, are in the driver's seat. If a boat doesn't survey well, it's your right to walk away from the deal. Often the findings of a survey will lead to a renegotiation of the selling price. Be realistic in your expectations from a survey. If the boat is more than 10 years old, there are likely going to be problems of one sort or another. Boats have very complex systems operating in a hostile environment, and unless meticulously maintained, they do fail. But remember, virtually nothing is irreparable with time or money.