Brokers and Surveyors

[Reynard38]

I'm thinking there is a bigger boat in my not-to-distant future. Is it customary to use a broker?
I plan on employing a surveyor in the process, but how do I find one?

[Rich Jones]

It depends on how big and how expensive. A broker can save a lot of search time, but at a price. If you go with a broker, he/she will have names of surveyors. Other than that, the internet is your friend. Just make sure the guy REALLY knows wooden boats. Even at that, read up on surveying. This could help you eliminate some boats before you get too far into the process.

[Ian McColgin]

Definitely read up. There's shifting etiquette but really you should have negotiated a price "subject to survey" and rather like buying a house things that you saw or were disclosed are not suddenly excuses for renegotiation or refusal.

[johngsandusky]

With wooden boats, I find the boat first. That is, with my budget and requirements, I spent two years watching Yachtworld, ebay, craigslist, and Soundings. Then I called a broker about one boat, but bought another through him. I saw at least five boats during that time.

[Breakaway]

Find a surveyor either by referral or by going to SAMS or NAMS ( SOCIETY OF ACCREDITED MARINE SURVEYORS; NATIONAL ASSOC. OF MARINE SURVEYORS) websites and have them give you some names.

Kevin

[five guys named moe]

Definitely read up. There's shifting etiquette but really you should have negotiated a price "subject to survey" and rather like buying a house things that you saw or were disclosed are not suddenly excuses for renegotiation or refusal.

The above statement is definitely true.

A good broker can certainly add value. Like real estate, a buyer's broker's commission should be paid by the seller of the boat (split between the listing and selling broker).

There are lots of bad surveyors out there - even those that are SAMS and NAMS affiliated. The best bet is to call around to a couple brokerages or boatyards and ask who THEY would have survey a boat they were buying.