Surveyor recommendation Upper Chesapeake Bay area

Diablo · Post by **Diablo** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:36 pm

Hi.
I'm new to the group and interested in purchasing a F-25 or F-26 in good condition. My primary search area is New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. I would like to learn the differance between the 25 & 26 models.

I will also need to find a good surveyor in the area. Preferably someone very capable or very familar with these model Trojans or both.

I'd appreciate any feedback the group can offer.

Thanks

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:19 am

i've been doing some research on this too and i have been guided to capt. joyce nolen of nolen's marine surveying (http://www.captnolen.com) by a member on this very site that had her do his f-32. the guy that did my survey was recommended by the broker (HUGE MISTAKE FOLKS) and missed ton of items that i am now in the process of taking care of. had i known what i know now, i would have bid lower or maybe even gotten a credit from the seller. also, if you are interested in a particular vessel and she is docked at a marina, ask questions about the boat and previous owner to the other slip holders. believe me, i have gained much knowledge about the previous owner, and not all that great i might add, from those around me at my current marina. again, had i known then, what i know now, i think things might have been different. one surveyor i will tell you to avoid in the baltimore, middle river, frog morter creek area is ron petrick. this guy is a total putz and took almost 3 months to get the type written survey result sent to my house. in the type written document, many items were written up that were not included in the initial punch list before the sea trial. one of the biggest red flags though was how he INSISTED that i not be there during the survey, as his reasoning was he did not want to be distracted from the task at hand. when i contacted joyce nolen, she actually WANTS the buyer to be an active part of the survey. not only to get acquainted with the new boat, but to gain knowledge as to what is actually done. needless to say, my next vessel will be surveyed by her. again, avoid RON PETRICK at all costs.

Diablo · Post by **Diablo** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:20 pm

Aaronbocknek thanks! I appreciate the advice. It sounds like you've been in contact with Capt.Joyce Nolen. Have you used her to survey your boat since the first surveyor missed so much?

How did she do? Do you know of others that have used her? What were there experiences like?

LSP · Post by **LSP** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:27 pm

Diablo .... I used Joyce last year and was happy with her. The rumor was that the first two boats that she would survey for someone they wouldn't buy. She'd pick them apart and scare the buyer right out of the sale. I feel her survey got me a fair price from the seller and I know exactly what I was getting into.

If she didn't know Trojans ... she surely did her homework prior to the survey.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:09 am

diablo, i have only emailed her once in the past two months regarding her services should i move to another vessel. the thing that impressed me the most is that she INSISTED i be there during the survey to ask questions, to get involved in the process and to lend a hand if she needed to turn on a switch and check a system if she was down in the bilge. she actually wants the buyer to be part of the process. i had my boat at essex marina prior to moving her back to parkside and watched ron survey another vessel. what a joke. he would climb up to the fly bridge and just sit there,not doing anything. it almost looked like he was napping! granted, i'm sure he's a good person, but i believe that if you are going to hang your sign out, you should atleast know what you are doing. i only wish that i had spoken with my father before i had my survey done. had i done so, i would have insisted i be there during the survey (hey, i'm curious and want to learn. i actually shadow mechanics sometimes at my marina to see what they do, and john stump at bluewater marine (great guy btw!!) loves my enthusiasm and does not mind in the least) or no deal. joyce is tough and the broker at essex actually HATES when she does a survey because he thinks she is too tough. will, i can just see mikes face when you told him she was doing the survey on your f-32------priceless.

Mrsluggo · Post by **Mrsluggo** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:14 am

There is more than one suveyor on the upper bay, One is Bill Mullin A.M.S He has done several surveys for a lot of people up and down the east coast that I know of .he is easy to deal with and very skilled at his trade. having bought and sold many boats in my time I found him to be the best around ,and he doesnt mind if you are at the survey . he will spend time with you on the phone and in person and is quick to prepare a punch list and the formal report . the best part is he is very profesional and reasonably priced and works with you through the whole ordeal . He can be reached at 215-327-9219 or http://www.boatcheck.net I RECOMEND HIM HIGHLY Jack B.