A Boat Buyer’s Recourse

Bottom photo by Frank Lanier PS tester and SAMS-certified surveyor Capt. Frank Lanier inspects a 1903 Friendship sloop.

I recently purchased a “got to have it” sailboat. I have found that the surveyor’s assessment was way off base.

The AC pump passed inspection, but it never turned on again. Then there was the leaking diesel fuel. The previous owner had added see-through, 30-micron filters where the fuel exited the tank because the metal ones at the engine are hard to reach and inspect. I have since learned that this type of filter is sure to leak, as diesel will soften the plastic housing. I am told that the Coast Guard will hammer you if they find them installed.

I would like to register a complaint against the surveyor. Any advice?

Alan Bream

Via email

Our first suggestion would be to discuss your concerns with the surveyor you used. Many of them will bend over backwards to accommodate a client—as we found out in our last look at choosing marine surveyors (PS, September 2005), they regard the relationship with their clients to be one of the most important ingredients in their success.

Secondly, find out whether the surveyor is an accredited or certified member of the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS, 800/822-6267, www.nams-cms.org) or the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS, 800/344-9077, www.marinesurvey.org). These groups were formed to create operational and educational standards for the industry’s professionals, and most reputable surveyors are members of one or the other. Each group has its own ethics department you can contact to lodge a complaint.

If your surveyor isn’t interested in discussing the issue with you, and he is not a SAMS or NAMS member, then we recommend filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (703/276-0100, www.bbb.org).

In the future, choose your surveyor carefully. It’s worth the effort of researching local prospects to ensure you pick one who is competent, knowledgeable, and qualified to inspect your particular vessel. (If you’re buying a cruising sailboat, you don’t want a surveyor whose majority experience is with sportfishing boats.)

The first item on your evaluation checklist should be NAMS or SAMS membership. There are non-members who are qualified surveyors, but to play it safe, look for pre-purchase marine surveyors who have current certification with NAMS/SAMS, which offers some insurance that they have the appropriate experience, knowledge base, and peer approval. When you’ve narrowed your list of prospects, check out their sample survey reports and ask for references from previous clients.

As with most services, you tend to get what you pay for, so don’t choose a surveyor just because they offer the lowest bid. And, when possible, be present during the survey, so you can observe the surveyor’s process and ask any questions that may come up. (For more on choosing a surveyor, check out the online version of this article, or “Evaluating Marine Surveyors” in the September 2005 issue.)

Unfortunately, no surveyor can guarantee old equipment. If you want a more detailed look at the electric and mechanical systems, it would be a good idea to have an in-depth inspection done in addition to the survey.

If you don’t want to hire a surveyor every time a boat catches your fancy, a DIY survey will help you thin out the lemons. Our June 2012 article, written by PS contributor Frank Lanier, a SAMS-certified surveyor in Chesapeake, Va. (www.captfklanier.com), explains what to look for when conducting your own pre-purchase survey.

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