Survey or not?
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I just put down a deposit on the '01 35 lightning like I stated in another post. It was at Lake Cumberland Marine. Those guys seem to be a first rate dealership and that is why I went there. This boat has 230 ish hours on the 500 efi's. Would it be worth the money to get a survey or could I even get an impartial one with the size and prominence of LCM. It is a brokerage boat but they have almost all of the service records and it looks absolutely wonderful. I am going to email Jim (salesman) and see what he thinks and what process they go through before they sell a boat. You don't get to their level by selling junk but this is a BIG purchase. I just don't know if one would be warranted and a waste of money.
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My insurance company did not require one but my finance company did. I am using SunCoast, so far they have been awesome to deal with. I was told any performance boat over 3 years old will require a survey. A dealership like LCM might have some push with the finance company and may not require a survey or they be able to complete the paperwork to get you though without one. If you need someone to perform a survey let me know, the guy is out of Cincy and did my survey within 2 days of me contacting him. He is SAMS certified and seems to be very knowledgeable and detailed on the survey.
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I would say always get a survey.
And never take the dealers recommendation on a surveyor. Find one yourself, with recommendations from independant sources.
I had a survey done when i bought my 27, I took the advice of the broker on a mechanic to check out the boat and a surveyor. The surveyor missed some obvious fiberglass problems out of sheer laziness (luckily nothing serious) and the motor blew up 2 months after the mechanic gave it a clean bill of health (but to be honest, there's no way he could have known that the inside of the oil pan was painted).
And never take the dealers recommendation on a surveyor. Find one yourself, with recommendations from independant sources.
I had a survey done when i bought my 27, I took the advice of the broker on a mechanic to check out the boat and a surveyor. The surveyor missed some obvious fiberglass problems out of sheer laziness (luckily nothing serious) and the motor blew up 2 months after the mechanic gave it a clean bill of health (but to be honest, there's no way he could have known that the inside of the oil pan was painted).
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Hell Ya You Want A Survey. Always Trust me I didnt get one onetime and boy did i get burned from the same first rate dealership you are talking about i thought the same thing and get your own survey not one they suggest.
Last edited by zitoracing; 03-12-2007 at 06:33 PM.
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Always get a survey on a pre-owned boat, regardless of where you buy it. There are plenty of good surveyors accredited with NAMS or SAMS. There are a handful that specialize in performance boats.
Good luck with your new boat.
T
Good luck with your new boat.
T
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Thanks for all the input guys. Looks like I am in the market for a surveyor. PM me with names of guys ya'll have used in the past or have a good rep in the KY area. Especially with performance boats. Also include what I could expect to pay if you have any idea.
Last edited by gofastlvr; 03-12-2007 at 08:13 PM. Reason: edit post
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My insurance company did not require one but my finance company did. I am using SunCoast, so far they have been awesome to deal with. I was told any performance boat over 3 years old will require a survey. A dealership like LCM might have some push with the finance company and may not require a survey or they be able to complete the paperwork to get you though without one. If you need someone to perform a survey let me know, the guy is out of Cincy and did my survey within 2 days of me contacting him. He is SAMS certified and seems to be very knowledgeable and detailed on the survey.