Is 1800 euros reasonable for a survey of a 53foot sailboat?

[2big2small]

Do ask for a written report though since this may later be required by an insurance company and you wouldn’t want to pay this fee again, would you?

[HankOnthewater]

Like “Fore and aft” said, he charges $20 per foot, I paid $30 per ft (where were you when I needed a surveyor?). That would be for the original poster with his 53ft boat: 53x30=$1590, close to that what the OP said his charge was.

I think the issue is not what the charge is, but two other things:
1. The time the surveyor spends on your boat, and a day on a 53 ft boat is NOT enough in my opinion, particular not on a boat that has a lot of systems.
2. And to a large degree related to the above, the quality and depth of the survey. Yes, everyone can determine and list the size of the anchor chain links (except the surveyor of my boat, he got that wrong), the size of the rigging and other simple things. The buyer does not want to know the size of the anchorchain, rigging (most of us have a tape measure and verniers) etc., but if the chain, rigging etc. is correctly sized for that kind of boat!!. The prospective buyer wants to know the condition of its equipment/gear, what the repair/upgrade bill is for him/her over the next few months, and in 2 to 3 years’ time. And with that knowledge, if the boat is worth buying at the agreed price. Of secondary, oops, tertiary importance is that most insurance companies want some kind of written report.

If the surveyor spends one day on the boat and gives a superficial report with tickboxes…. Yes, $1800 (euro) is excessive in my opinion. If the surveyor spends 2 or more days on the boat and a looong evening to prepare the report, then $1590 or $1800 (or Euro) is not too much. Note most surveyors also have to pay for insurance to cover if something they have missed.

As far as I know, in Australia the hauling out and launching is not included in the survey price, the prospective buyer has to pay that separately. The sea trials are generally part of the survey, but often is a mere token in a motoring to the slipway, and back, and a customary hoisting of the sails and dropping it again. A proper survey and seatrial and lifting out cannot be done all in one day in my opinion, except maybe for boats smaller than 30 ft.
Again as far as I know, a specialised engine, rigging, electrical etc. survey is usually not included such survey. Hmmm, how many surveyors have intimate knowledge of hydraulic systems?

Some posters mentioned the time it takes to write the report. What I have seen, most surveyors use a template, and lots of ticking boxes. Still, I would think a proper report will take many hours, and adding photos add another few hours. ’Boatpoker’ made a good suggestion: “Ask for some sample surveys”. May I suggest to also ask what was the time spend and the charge for such survey?

Maybe to bring the cost down for surveying a boat, the prospective buyer can discuss/ask the surveyor up front:
1. Only to look at the major items, ie items with a value of greater than $3000 ), to repair/replace (or whatever figure is appropriate for buyer or boat)
2. If the surveyor comes across a major deficit, to stop the survey and discuss this with the prospective buyer. If this deficit is a stumbling block, the decision may be made not to purchase, and surveyor may only charge his time to that point and not complete the survey. I must say if I were the surveyor…….. I would have committed my time and travel to this survey, and only to get paid for a small portion while the rest of my day is ‘lost’, not good economics for my business.
3. Note, the insurance companies often want some tit-bit of safety information, so that could be included if all major items are OK.

Anyway just some of my thoughts.

[Sojourner]

Wow, guys, this is an amazing amount of replies... I've also got a very old VW and am part of a huge forum for that stuff....y'all put those guys to shame!

Anywhoodle, I've made contact with Bill Rouse from Amel Sailing School on your suggestions and in addition to the surveryor coming down to visit the boat with me to do an hour walkthrough to see if we even want to get it to that full survey, I'll be armed with a list of all the expert Amel-specific questions and things to photograph to send to Bill for his eval. I think between the two, I'll be right on the money. Or out of it, rather, but in a real nice way

Thanks so much!