Part of the buying process is to Survey (inspect) the boat to look for deficiencies and assess value. This is a painful process for the seller (I know because I just went through this with our Manta 40) and it it a stressful time for the buyer (just did that too on the N47 that we are buying).

The survey of “Never Say Never,” N4708, soon to be “Roam” was a new experience for me. I’ve bought and sold a number of sailboats up to 40 feet in length over the years. The systems on my prior boats have been grade school simple compared to the doctoral thesis complexity of a Nordhavn. I know seasoned NH owners will laugh at me, but there is a lot to take in on one of these boats. The engine room alone will give pause to any new boat owner. “Don’t turn the whos it on unless the whats it is in the upper 2/3  position…” Huh?

The survey of N4708 included 2 hull surveyors, the engine surveyor, 2 brokers, the owner, and me. We started at 7:00 AM, came up for a breath at 4:00 PM, then continued on until almost 7:00 PM. I have to say, the surveyors did a very thorough job and earned their money, crawling in and around every cubby hole on the boat and sweating like pigs all day in the hot and noisy engine room and all the while, taking the time to patiently show me the systems on the boat, not to teach me how to use them, but to point out the good and the bad. In the end, Never Say Never passed the surveys with flying colors and we hope to close by April 29.

At the end of the day, I was definitely ready for a double rum drink when we wrapped up for the day. Bartender, make that a triple and leave out the ice. I don’t want accidentally choke while I’m guzzling.

Surveyors

• Engine Surveyor: Tim Caruso, Marine Engine Analysts
• Hull Surveyor: John Howe, Nautical Services Group

I would highly recommend either of these guys.