Marine Surveyors

[CanadianDave]

I'm new to the whole idea of dealing with Marine Surveyors and was wondering what credentials do you look for in selecting a qualified surveyor?

there is a local company who is advertising surveys for 10.00 per foot with no mileage charges anywhere with in the province and another 100 km away who is advertising 18.00 per foot but wants an additional travel charge of 25.00 per 100 km.

how do I know I'm getting a proper survey considering this would be my first experience with a surveyor


the local shows on his web site the following credentials

Navtech Trained Master Marine Surveyors, Certified & Accredited Worldwide
Members of USSA and ABYC
has the knowledge, experience, and skills to provide our clients with high quality, professionally executed, insurance surveys and vessel appraisals

is it unreasonable to ask for copies of previous surveys?
what about insurance companies.. do they all require the same information or should I talk to my broker to see what they want and only get that information?
if I find a boat beyond my budget and decide to talk to my banker about financing one.. would they require a different survey than my insurance. are all banks alike or do they differ in what each bank would want?

the Halifax Boat Show is in 2 weeks and me and my wife are planing on attending and will be looking at brokers and asking questions of surveyors. what questions would ( did you) you ask if it was your first time?
I've read and printed Sailing dogs boat inspection tips and have used them as a guide when looking at boats, haven't found one my wife and I could agree on so we have never had one surveyed but when we do we want to be prepared for looking for a surveyor.

when dealing with a surveyor is it better to let him/her do their job or should I have a list of expectations I want surveyed.

I've read a lot of posts here talking about pulling the boat, test sail, structural tests, moisture tests, etc. at 10.00 per foot what level of survey would you expect?

I guess what I'm trying to learn is lets say I'm looking at a mid 80's 24-27 foot boat with a budget of 10,000.00 that has been on the hard for a couple years what would you want/expect the surveyor to look at?
would this be different if the boat was in the water each year?

[CanadianDave]

wow, 77 views and not one suggestion on what to ask or to expect.

anyway not that it matters now, my daughter smashed my car on Monday morning and its a total write off. since she is not suppose to be driving my car and currently without a license my insurance will not cover the damage. so my plans of paying off my car loan next month and buying a boat is gone as now I have to replace my car.

fortunately no one else was involved and the police were not involved so shes not going to end up with any criminal problems but I have to suck up a loss of a 8,000.00 car ( blue book value 2007 Chrysler sebring ). as far as I'm concerned she got lucky with a concussion, some bruised ribs and a twisted ankle.

oh well guess I'll try again in 5 years.

[Faster]

Sorry to hear all that.... glad she's going to be alright.