Need Solid Surveyor - Your $.02?

[go boater]

Hello to all -

I'm going against my better judgement and accepting a surveyor referral from a boat broker with Bluewater Yacht Sales. The surveyor name is:


David R. Robotham
Robotham Marine Surveyors & Consultants, Inc.
Wrightsville Beach, NC

Doing my homework he is NAMS and SAMS certified and short of bringing my own trusted surveyor on an 8 hour car ride (each way) this surveyor seems reputable and experienced. Broker says he's one of the best in the business (but yeah, I heard that line of BS before)

GOOD, BAD or UGLY, is anyone familiar with Robotham? Do you have any other tips or advice in this situation?

Sounds funny, but seller is also agreeing to pay for survey - am I to expect that an "Accredited Surveyor" is going to be truthful and forthcoming of all issues regardless of "who" is paying his tab? Do I need to slip him $100 extra to give me inside scoop or pay him directly for a copy of survey even though broker is getting it?

Also, boat has 6-71's and hasn't been started in 9mos to a year. A mechanic is going to do the startup and I think we have a motor with a cracked ring on #1 cylinder. Broker says "$5K to fix one or $8K to fix 'em all... If it were my boat at the price you're getting, I'd run her as is... he says. Continues to say She's fine to run with no mechanical issues and only smokes a little on start-up..." FYI - an airleak was supposedly the culprit and has been fixed - or so we're told.

Thanks to all for your insight. I just put on my "Big Boy Pants" for the abuse I'll probrably get on this forum for using a broker's mechanic and surveyor. Desperate times call for desperate measures to sell a boat and I'm going in with eyes WIDE OPEN for fear that there's outside influence and also taking a buddy to help me check it out.

Sorry for double post on General Forum and Q&A. Working quickly and need your insight and opinions to avoid making a mistake!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT!!!

[go boater]

Wow, 20 readers and nobody has posted some quality feedback here (other than the viewers in the Q&A section). Could really use your help and insight. This forum gets a lot of traffic.

Many thanks to all of you who can help a brother out. Love you guys!

[Huntersun]

Go Boater,

David R. Robotham is a well respected and solid surveyor here in the Carolinas, you should be fine using him.

YOU are hiring the surveyor who works for YOU, do not let the seller into this deal period.........

Hire a well respected Detroit man for a through engine(s) survey, pm me for a reccomdation, if you like.

Best of luck with your purchase.

[Rare Breed]

David is known around here as the deal breaker. He is going to tell it like it is no matter who is paying for it. Selling brokers hate to see him show up. Paul Wiedan is a good Detroit man around here also.

[go boater]

That is what I wanted to hear. Thank you my friend!

[gottaflylee]

go boater,
here is another vote for David R. Robotham, I have watched him do other surveys and have been impressed with him. I have another certified Detroit mechanic if you want, he keeps the Predator boat running for us. What is the name of the boat you are looking at, I may know it, feel free to give me a call...