Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Preparing for the Survey
In our very first, pre-purchase survey, we failed to properly prepare the boat. As a result,
the surveyor only took a perfunctory look beneath settees and into cluttered lockers. He
failed to get to the bottom of things - literally - and didn't examine some of the vessel's
fundamental support structures. At the time, we didn't know enough to insist on more, or to
recognize that we had failed to provide the structure for a thorough survey.
In contrast, Tony Theriault spent hours on our second, consultative survey in which we
sought to identify areas to address in re-fitting the same boat. Watching him move masses
of gear and maneuver into the most uncomfortable reaches of the boat made us appreciate
the work of a true professional dedicated to our cause. In the end, we had a truly thorough
and candid look at the health of our boat. However, this was only accomplished at the ex-
pense of valuable time (in fact, it required a second visit to complete the job).
Lesson learned: prepare the vessel in order to permit a thorough examination. Don't waste
the surveyor's valuable time - and your money! Empty every locker, shelf, and cubbyhole.
Buy extra-large, inexpensive containers to store surplus equipment and get as much as pos-
sible out of the way. This will allow the surveyor to immediately focus on critical systems.
Key areas to provide access to are the chain plates, hull-deck joint, and high stress areas
around bulkheads and the compression post. It's equally important to expose the steering
system, engine transmission shaft, batteries, and central electrical areas.
Ideally, try to find a time slot not followed by any pressing engagements. That will allow
the survey to attend to all areas without rushing. A full, pre-purchase survey on a used
thirty-five foot sailboat should take the greater part of a day (or two half days), so if the po-
tential surveyor quotes you an hour, look elsewhere. On the other hand, a consultative sur-
vey limited to a specific area of concern may take only a few hours.
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