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Need surveyor in Ft. Lauderdale

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Sea Gull, Jun 14, 2019.

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  1. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    I’m looking for recommendations for a hull surveyor in FLL as soon as possible.

    Based on recommendations, I was ready to hire Malcolm Elliott to survey a brand new 64’ motor yacht, but he now seems unreachable. I spoke with him a few weeks ago, but he’s now not returning calls and his voicemail is full.

    Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    No one answers their office number?
  3. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    Like I said, voicemail is full. Maybe he has some personal crisis?
  4. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    I've used Kerry Nikula. Nikula Marine Service Inc. Good guy.
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Try Florida Nauticals main number. Matt Jones is good...…. Kerry is good.....slakoff is good...…. but I'd use those in that order.
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    That's what I was asking, if he'd tried their main office number.
  7. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    I called the only number listed on their website. Too late. I’ve already hired someone else who has been helpful and responsive.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Excellent. Ensure you spec your scope of work well. Keep us up on your trails and purchase. Then we all learn more.
  9. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    I have used Malcolm in the past, and worked with a few other fine (and less fine) surveyors, but my favorite guy is Darrell Brizendine https://www.marinesurveysbybrizendine.com/

    Used him at least 10 times on my own boats, and referred him numerous times to friends and clients.
    Great guy, great sense of humor and he will tell you with a smile on his face, that your boat is a no good. He also gave my sailboat a Bristol Rating twice for insurance surveys.
    Probably the most picky surveyor in town, use him to buy a boat and hope he won’t show up when you sell a boat. ⚓️
  10. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    We ended up engaging Matt Jones who did a fabulous job for us. I would highly recommend him.

    The vessel is a 2019 64' Maritimo 64, and should be ours within a week.

    As we expected, the vessel surveyed well, but Matt was able to focus us, on a select few items that need attention before sale. Of course, being a new boat with a warranty, the seller will take care of even the minor details and will continue to support the boat.
  11. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Good idea using a surveyor on a brand new boat, no great idea...
    I bought a new boat 3.5 years ago, hired my favorite surveyor before accepting delivery, ended up with a 30 point laundry list of stuff needing attention, repair, adjustment, etc. The dealer was quite busy the next 12 months taking care of stuff. That being said, not buying a new boat ever again, too many things wrong with it. Let the first owner deal with all the problems, then buy it lightly used.
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Don't consider that a reflection on all new boats. It's a reflection on your brand and your dealer.

    Now, you had a list, why did you take delivery before they fixed it all. 12 months of stuff on what likely could have been done in 2 days, no more than a week.
  13. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    It is my reflection and my experience, only new boat I ever purchased
    Some of the stuff was obviously addressed before delivery, but I was not going to delay delivery for minor stuff and waiting for parts, etc.
    Had a 20 hour service on the motors coming up and the majority was fixed then, but some stuff was like a bad penny, kept coming back, leaky hatches and minor tweaks.
    Needless to say, I was not impressed with World Cat and their build quality, but the dealer here in Fort Lauderdale bent over backwards to fix everything.
    Sold the boat 18 months later for more than I paid, very happy with the deal in the end, but it was frustrating at times.
    Again, let the first owner deal with the initial problems, then I buy used, if the owner was knowledgeable of course.
  14. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    That is surprising to hear. In my experience a late model World Cat/Glacier Bay will bring top dollar on the brokerage market. They have almost a cult-like following. The last one I sold in 2 days to the first person who looked at it.
  15. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Well, you are correct:
    I sold mine after 18 months for $9,500 more than I paid brand new.
    I am still shocked..:confused::cool::cool::cool:
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yea, Your the sucker who worked out the bug and issues. IT IS worth more now and still under some warranties.
    :cool::cool::D:D
    Good Show..
  17. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    That's what they depend on that you'll allow them to fix over time. We've just refused to play that game, but then the new boats we've bought have had very little to fix.

    Congratulations on selling at a profit.
  18. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Ouch.
    No, I did not sell with a profit, the broker’s commission took care of that.
    I did however enjoy a brand new boat for 18 months for very little money out of pocket. Based on old wife’s tales I figured 15-20% loss because I bought new. Not so, came out smelling like a rose.

    As far as them depending on me fixing over time: Maybe so, but I worked with the dealer and got everything sorted out, at their expense of course, also had the surveyor come back and document the repairs and update the survey, then sold the boat for a good price. It all worked out.

    You may have refused to play the game, but you probably live in a different world. Good for you.
  19. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yup, I was the sucker and yes, got extended warranty on the motors, 5 years instead of 3.
    For me it ended up being a very good deal. No complaints, but not buying a brand new boat again. (At least not from this factory, sloppy work and sloppy pre-delivery inspection)
    The problem was probably me being **** and my surveyor being even more ****. Not a good combo, but again, It worked out great, the seller was happy, the buyer was happy, Dealer and surveyors made money, etc, etc.
  20. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    No, I just have less patience and tolerance for products delivered with issues. The dealer could have checked it out before your surveyor and fixed all those things in advance. If they'd overlooked something, then fixed it when the surveyor found it. I know many just don't work that way. I've been there though and they'd say, "Just bring it back anytime and we'll fix that" and I said "Then just fix it now, before I take it. Next comment was "We can't get to it for a few days." My response was, "Then we'll wait a few days." That changed to "We'll have it ready this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest." My response, "Thank you."
    Most of the time it's a few hours work, but they can spread it out and inconvenience you for a year.
    Fact is, surveyor hasn't signed off on it and that's part of the contract. They knew the rules and they had full opportunity to thoroughly check the boat out before the survey or attempted delivery.
    Now, you had one advantage and that was convenience. Our last new boat we were going to leave on the Loop, we weren't going to be anywhere near the seller.