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Cost for a complete survey on a 70' boat

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Ron Ferguson, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. Ron Ferguson, Jan 11, 2018
    #1
    Ron Ferguson

    Ron Ferguson New Member

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    Hi,

    Just curious what the going rates are in South Florida for a complete survey of a 70' boat including both engines, 2 generators, with hydraulic bow thruster and stabilizers. I have been quoted $8k total and I have not had a total survey done in about 10 years so just checking to see if this is the going rate.

    thanks
  2. Capt Ralph, Jan 11, 2018
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Define "Complete Survey".
    Anything the surveyor can find?
    Including mechanical (usually a factory engine rep)?
    For refinancing, insurance or you want to know everything wrong?
    Or an appraisal of value; with-out dictating all that is wrong?
  3. Capt J, Jan 11, 2018
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You're going to want a hull surveyor and an engine surveyor. Give Florida Nautical marine surveyors a call on the hull and get a quote on the phone. Call N+G engineering about surveying engines and gens. Both are located in Fort Lauderdale and both can give you an accurate quote on the phone.
  4. Ron Ferguson, Jan 11, 2018
    #4
    Ron Ferguson

    Ron Ferguson New Member

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    This is a pre purchase survey. I contacted the local Cat. dealer and they referred me to two other engine surveyors stating they no longer were doing surveys due to potential liability!
  5. Capt J, Jan 11, 2018
    #5
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yes, they both are who I would recommend for a pre purchase survey. The hull surveyor surveys EVERYTHING on the yacht with the exception of engines and gen.
  6. Capt Ralph, Jan 11, 2018
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Chicken s***s (stuff). Worried about liabilities on their own products.
    Same folk that enforce their own engine warranties.

    Prepurchase,, You did not mention that.
    Yes, Get a crew that will look at everything. $8K sounds about rite. Could save you lot$ more.
  7. Danvilletim, Jan 11, 2018
    #7
    Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    That's sound high. It was half that in San Diego.
  8. Danvilletim, Jan 11, 2018
    #8
    Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    I also would recommend a owner senatorial before the paid survey. I've always had this request honored and a couple times it became so obvious that the boat was worse that advertised and called off the survey.

    It's also super helpful to try to identify areas of concern for th surveyor to dive into.
  9. JWY, Jan 12, 2018
    #9
    JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    The surveyor does not survey "EVERYTHING." A pre-purchase survey is a "non-destructive" survey so the surveyor won't remove headliners, panels, and won't survey inaccessible areas or equipment.

    A general survey rate per day starts at $1500 or a minimum of $18/ft. For a 70 footer, it will most likely be a 2-day survey or with FNS perhaps one day with 2 surveyors. Audiogauging can add additional time/expense. Count on an additional $1200 for 2 engines and 2 gensets; oil analysis in addition and compression testing more additional. Haulout charges vary greatly per yard and depend on if divers or blocking is needed/required. Btw, thrusters and stabilizers are included in the survey and do not add on to the cost nor time.

    Judy
  10. bliss, Jan 12, 2018
    #10
    bliss

    bliss Senior Member

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    Please help me. What is an "owner senatorial"? Thanks.
  11. Pascal, Jan 12, 2018
    #11
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    For the cats, call Southshore Diesel here in Miami. Marcello did a couple of surveys for me over the years. Also i ve used him for years for cat and genset work. Good guy. He did a full C32s and twin onan survey for me last year, $2000 incl travel to naples.

    The hull survey (84') was $2900, also in naples. Surveyor had an assistant to save time and do it in a single day. Quite a bit of time during a survey is done making an inventory of the equipment...
  12. bayoubud, Jan 12, 2018
    #12
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    I would hire a top rated hull surveyor with an assistant surveyor. Worth the time to talk to Tim Caruso on the Cats, he will do a two day survey on the Cats... not just hook up a computer... worth the extra day he will be there ...$8k total sounds high.
  13. Kapn, Jan 12, 2018
    #13
    Kapn

    Kapn Member

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    I'll second the recommendation for Tim Caruso. He knows his stuff with the Cats. Decades of experience.
  14. SeaEric, Jan 12, 2018
    #14
    SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    +2 on Tim Caruso. He is the best. $8,000 sounds about spot on to me incuding hull, machinery and haulout - all inclusive. Don't skip any steps.
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2018
  15. SeaEric, Jan 12, 2018
    #15
    SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    I suspect that auto-correct was involved.