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Clipper4730 · 17-08-2014, 08:34

Hey y'all finally under contract on a boat. Just curious how much a survey should cost. I am getting quoted $22.00/ft plus travel cost. Is this average or should I shop around some more.

Thanks in advance

Will

**HappyMdRSailor** · 17-08-2014, 08:50

Will,

Ya don't say where you are, but 20/ft is pretty routine...

Clipper4730 · 17-08-2014, 08:52

Oops, forgot to add that. The boat is located in Belfast Maine about an hour and a half from Portland.

Tom and Maje · 17-08-2014, 08:55

I've been looking at surveyors in the Annapolis area. The regular survey is $24 a foot and the engine survey, including the generator, is $800.

Hope that helps, but it might vary by location.

Maje

**HappyMdRSailor** · 17-08-2014, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

Oops, forgot to add that. The boat is located in Belfast Maine about an hour and a half from Portland.

I definitely wouldn't balk @ the price... Unless of course your surveyor is based in Hawaii...

bargain hunting on a survey is shooting yourself in the foot...

**Ex-Calif** · 18-08-2014, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom and Maje

I've been looking at surveyors in the Annapolis area. The regular survey is $24 a foot and the engine survey, including the generator, is $800.

Hope that helps, but it might vary by location.

Maje

$800 for an engine survey? Holy Science, Batman!

Does that come with a top overhaul.

(I'm in the wrong business)

**Hudson Force** · 18-08-2014, 05:49

We do a lot of cruising from Maine to Florida and I'm accustomed to the cost of marine services increasing with latitude. An excellent survey can be purchased in Florida for ca $16/ft.

Snore · 18-08-2014, 06:05

You may want to reconsider your question.

There are certain things I shop for by price- i.e. Jack Daniels.

There are certain things I shop for by quality- surveys is one of them. The last thing you want is a low bid survey that misses a bunch of defects.

denverd0n · 18-08-2014, 06:16

Come on, people. He didn't say that he's searching for the cheapest possible survey that he can find. He's just asking if $24/foot is a typical price.

Now, down here in Florida I would say absolutely not. The "usual" price down here is much less than that. You can get a highly recommended, qualified, and experienced surveyor for no more than about $14-$18 per foot. But that's "down here." Price varies drastically by location.

To the OP, I would suggest that you talk to at least 3-4 different surveyors, get all the recommendations that you can, do as much research into them as you can, and then you should have a good idea as to what a quality survey should cost in your area. Good luck.

sailcruiser · 18-08-2014, 06:34

I'd make sure the surveyor is strong in looking over whatever type of boat (sail/power) you are purchasing. If a sailboat I'd plan on a rigging inspection too. Our guy while very nice was a powerboat guy looking over a sailboat. He did find some things he missed others. We had 3 people total look our boat over: engine, rigging and boat.

Yes that's about average. I think I paid $21/ft. Ask to see sample surveys of past clients sanitized of their info so you have some idea what to expect.

SC

Juniper · 18-08-2014, 09:29

In Belfast I'm surprised Front Street Marine doesn't have a surveyer on staff/on call

Razoo · 18-08-2014, 09:29

I just had a survey done for my thieving insurance company to insure it and it was $24/ft CDN plus tax and included the rigging and engine inspection.

Snore · 18-08-2014, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Come on, people. He didn't say that he's searching for the cheapest.

Sorry the OP asked price. The post stated, " I am getting quoted $22/ft plus travel. Is this average or should I shop around some more."

What I stated is don't shop price. That is a direct response to the question asked.

So the admonishment appears to be misdirected.

To the OP if it costs an extra $2-$3 a foot spend it. As you know with any large purchase a proper due diligence can save much more than the cost of the inspection.

Find a guy who has performed surveys on the type of boat (cat/mono) (steel/glass) that you are looking at and has solid references.

I have spent above the average survey price and gotten a garbage survey. I also spent the market and got a decent one. Price is just a number and may not be an indicator of quality.