[muttskie]

Ahoy,
Would anyone care to give some surveyor recommendations in the Annapolis area. Of course, Pacific Seacraft expertise is desired, though not the primary consideration. More importantly, proven sailboat expertise.
Thanks in advance.
Bill

 

[jsaronson]

Derek at All Boat Surveys has done 2 boats for me. I'd bet he has seen many PS.
Good luck!

 

[AlLorman]

I've used David Manning several times and he is, without doubt, the best surveyor I've ever used.

Al Lorman
Annapolis

 

[jameswilson29]

I second the recommendation of Derek Rhymes.

 

[jimhuggins0350]

I've used David Manning several times and he is, without doubt, the best surveyor I've ever used.

Al Lorman
Annapolis

In Janaury 2009, I purchase PSC 1986 34' from Crusader Yacht sales and use Tarn Kelsy of Kelsey & Turner Marine Survey, I felt he get excellent job.

Jim Huggins
Breakaway Too

 

[Donna_F]

+1 on Kelsey and Turner. Bob Turner spent half a day on our boat during our sea trial. Even went up the mast.

 

[eherlihy]

Surveyor requests come up on SailNet all the time. I continually recommend that people use CaptainRated* which has online reviews of surveyors by geography. It's a GREAT tool!

For some reason, this doesn't seem to stick, so I continue to recommend... <sigh>

I have no affiliation with the website, I just wish that more people would use it.

 

[jsaronson]

Didn't know you could rate surveyors there. I just gave Derek 5 stars.
Thanks.

 

[SailinDee]

Tarn Kelsey just did our PSC 37. He knows sailboats and has experience with PSC. 4 hours on land and 2 on sea trial. Very pleased.

Diane
Sablier, 1994 Pacific Seacraft 37

 

[dw37]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to comment on Tarn Kelsey. Absolutely the worst survey I've ever had! He seemed to do a thorough job, but there were leaking ports that he failed to identify. The seller had the boat detailed just before the survey to hide all of the issues that the leaks were causing. Within a week of settlement the mold had completely taken over the cabin. I've been able to fix the ports but I am still finding mold growing on wood, in the transom on the fiberglass and I've had to throw out all of my cushions... ALL of them. Salon, V-Berth and Aft-Berth.

I specifically asked him about the smell coming from the fresh water system. He brushed me off and told me it was probably from the anti-freeze that they used for winterizing. He didn't even check the fresh water tank. When I opened the tank lid I found... I don't even know what. Clumps of mold or some sort of bacteria growing inside the tank.

DO NOT USE TARN KELSEY AS YOUR SURVEYOR. If there are any hidden issues he will not find them because he isn't looking. He performs superficial surveys only. I don't think he and Bob Taylor are partners any longer.

 

[gulfsail]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to comment on Tarn Kelsey. Absolutely the worst survey I've ever had! He seemed to do a thorough job, but there were leaking ports that he failed to identify. The seller had the boat detailed just before the survey to hide all of the issues that the leaks were causing. Within a week of settlement the mold had completely taken over the cabin. I've been able to fix the ports but I am still finding mold growing on wood, in the transom on the fiberglass and I've had to throw out all of my cushions... ALL of them. Salon, V-Berth and Aft-Berth.

I specifically asked him about the smell coming from the fresh water system. He brushed me off and told me it was probably from the anti-freeze that they used for winterizing. He didn't even check the fresh water tank. When I opened the tank lid I found... I don't even know what. Clumps of mold or some sort of bacteria growing inside the tank.

DO NOT USE TARN KELSEY AS YOUR SURVEYOR. If there are any hidden issues he will not find them because he isn't looking. He performs superficial surveys only. I don't think he and Bob Taylor are partners any longer.

Though it may be useful to dig up a 5 year-old thread to mark your experience (in case someone else also digs up this thread of surveyor recommendations), what may be even better may be to start a new thread that details your entire experience with details that may help others in general and with specific advise.

Sounds like it merits a dedicated thread.

In particular, I'm curious how people figure out leaky ports (do they do their own water hose test?). As for a smelly water system, seems like the buyer would check that out, and make their own decision as to how to proceed.