Written By Caroline Ajootian

Sign your name to a 30-year mortgage on a house without a home inspection? Not on your life! Buy a used car without a mechanic's once-over? No way! Thinking about buying a used boat without a survey? Big, big mistake!

When it comes to buying a used boat, random hull-thumping is about as revealing as kicking the tires of a used car. A good survey will tell you if a boat's beauty is more than just skin deep.

Although surveys don't come cheap -- expect to pay in the range of $300 to $600 to have the typical 25- to 35-footer examined -- this is a reasonable price to pay for the peace of mind that comes from knowing in advance what shape your dreamboat is in.

"Too many boat buyers look at the surveyor's fees as just another cost associated with buying a boat," says Jack Hornor, a naval architect and surveyor in Annapolis, MD (see Hornor's boat reviews, page 34). "In fact, a good survey will usually save a buyer many times the surveyor's fees in cost of repairs or adjustments to the purchase price for noted deficiencies."

During a pre-purchase inspection, the marine surveyor will evaluate the boat's systems and its structure, looking for problems that require expensive repairs or that make the boat unseaworthy. The surveyor's written report will help you decide whether to go ahead with the deal or look for a boat in better condition.

So, who is this marine surveyor, this person upon whom you are placing your trust? What makes him or her qualified to evaluate a recreational vessel?

Simply put, a marine surveyor is a technical consultant competent to inspect and evaluate recreational boats. The key word is "competent," since surveyors aren't licensed or regulated by any government agency. Anyone can call himself a surveyor -- and many do. Here are some tips on hiring a good one.

First, a good indicator of competence is "certified marine surveyor" status with the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) or "accredited marine surveyor" status with the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS), two professional groups for surveyors.

The BoatU.S. surveyor referral list (see Boat Buying Services box) is another good way to locate qualified surveyors. To be listed, surveyors must have proven knowledge of marine manufacturing and safety standards, an apprenticeship with an established surveyor, affiliation with professional groups like the American Boat & Yacht Council, NAMS and SAMS, as well as complete autonomy from other marine businesses.

Second, the surveyor should have absolutely no affiliations with boat brokers, dealers, boat repair shops or others whose living depends on the sale or repair of boats, especially the one you are about to buy. To rely on a surveyor recommended by the seller is to run the risk of having defects glossed over during the inspection. For this same reason, do not rely upon a survey report, even a recent one, paid for by the seller.

Third, ask the surveyor by what criteria he will evaluate your boat. Look for detailed references to the boat manufacturing and safety requirements developed by the U.S. Coast Guard, the American Boat & Yacht Council, the National Fire Prevention Association and other standards-writing groups.

"There is no shortage of regulations designed to enhance safety at sea," says surveyor Larry Montgomery, who works in Seattle and Port Townsend, WA. "Most of the regulations reinforce what surveyors have been saying for years." A good surveyor will cite these regs, chapter and verse, and explain them in detail in his written report of the boat's condition.

While enthusiasm for boating sometimes inspires people to dip their oars into surveying, of much more relevance is the surveyor's track record in boat design, construction and repair. "Select a professional practitioner, not someone who surveys boats as a hobby," recommends Montgomery, who worked for 30 years in the marine industry before turning to marine survey full-time in 1986.

"Remember, you are protecting not only your investment but also the souls on board," he adds.

Marine surveyor Henry Mustin of Delray Beach, FL, agrees. "We survey boats to determine their condition, especially based on the buyer's intended use," says Mustin, the author of Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step-By-Step Guide for Buyers and Owners.

Once you've found a surveyor, discuss exactly what will be covered in the inspection. Do not balk when the surveyor recommends an inspection out of the water, even if it means the additional expense of a haul-out.

Without a haul-out, the surveyor "can't determine below-waterline deficiencies," Montgomery comments. "I wouldn't even dignify it by calling it a survey."

"The prospective buyer sees the boat in the best possible light when it's in the water," says Mustin. "But you can't see anything below the waterline that way. You don't know whether it's been grounded or if there's keel damage."

Some surveyors do in-depth engine exams, but most do not. Ask the surveyor to refer you to a marine mechanic capable of evaluating the engine. If you are thinking about buying a sailboat, ask the surveyor if the rigging will be inspected aloft or from the deck. This is especially important with older boats, where fittings and cables may be worn or frayed.

Article Source: Boat/US Magazine, May 2002 - FindArticles.com