Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Over the years I have noticed that people are told in post to get a marine surveyor for the boat they are getting. I really wonder how many people have actually gotten them.
I have seen people online say the cost is 500 or so for the service. If you are getting an expensive boat i see it as money well spent.

But for the cheap boat what are the other options?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

Your other option is to inspect the boat yourself. If you don't know what you are looking for, then I guess a survey is worth the price.
Just remember, "cheap" boats tend to be the ones with the biggest problems, and cost the most money to fix.

 

[towman818181]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

i agree a cheap boat is usually cheap for a reason i would atleast take a friend who knows boats along with two eyes see twice as much

 

[dontask]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

Hire a mechanic trained & certified on the equipment your looking at. Maybe he's not a certified marine appraiser but he's the one who can and will trouble shoot/repair the problems that come up. A hundred dollars cash will buy you a couple (2) hours of a qualified mechanic's time after his normal work hours or on his day off.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

If its a cheap boat just assume its a rotten mess and do a full restore.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

Your other option is to inspect the boat yourself. If you don't know what you are looking for, then I guess a survey is worth the price.
Just remember, "cheap" boats tend to be the ones with the biggest problems, and cost the most money to fix.

sound advise.

Let the buyer beware

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

Yeah I always squirm when I read on here someone suggesting to a prospective buyer that he/she get a marine survey when we're talking about a $2500 boat. Would you spend $500 to possibly save $2500? I wouldn't. Finding a knowledgable friend or paying a mechanic to look at it makes much more sense. Or you could probably fly Tashasdaddy to your location for less than $500

 

[lowkee]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

If its a cheap boat just assume its a rotten mess and do a full restore.

Mark, I wish I knew you when I went to look to my boat. You may not have talked me out of it, but I sure would have thought harder on it

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

no. newbies shouldn't buy cheap boats and oldbies don't need surveyors. But both can use a mechanic to look at the motor. That's what you're buying: a $2000 motor with a free boat and trailer.

Exception: large boats, specialty boats. I'm taking about the <$4000 <20 ft deals.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

Even on a 2 to 4k boat spending a hundred bucks to get it checked over is a good idea.
I do inspections in my area and have saved several people from buying rotted heaps of junk..Its not just the motor you have to worry about.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is a marine surveyor a good use of money for a cheap boat

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old