T&T: Annapolis Surveyor (Hartoft) [LONG]

[Ron Rogers]

There is a purchase survey and there is an insurance survey. I have found 
that when the insurance company requests that *I* get a survey done for the 
continuance of my insurance, there are good surveyors who make out nice 
reports for the insurance companies and only list egregious problems 
regarding safety like no working bilge pumps. Usually, if you are present 
(recommended) they will advise you on many things which need some attention 
or require modification. Today's underwriters are not necessarily 
knowledgeable and if they see a laundry list, they'll require that 
everything must be corrected. For example, I was required to buy a 
"first-aid *kit*."

In 1986, a Mr. Peter Hartoff did a purchase survey on a Pacific Seacraft 
Crealock 37 I was buying. However, it was arranged for by "my" broker and it 
appears Mr. Hartoff thought that he was working for his friend the broker, 
who had recommended him. This was in the day of the IBM Executive 
(proportional type) typewriter. Therefore, it wasn't trivial when I demanded 
changes. He was using a canned report with a largely accurate prioritized 
listing of deficiences. These deficiences were organized in groups from must 
remedy to nice to have/do. That is the only kind of report that I will 
accept. However, he reverted to canned language (I think) and said that the 
boat was suited to "coastal cruising." For those of you who used to sail (or 
still do, John) you know that this is an inappropriate description of a 
well-found Crealock 37.

So I sent the broker a letter declining the boat unless the survey was 
changed. After all, I was paying for an ocean-going boat ! It turns out that 
my broker had a legendary temper which he proceeded to exhibit over the 
telephone. I told him, "to get 'his' surveyor under control and have him 
describe the boat accurately, or forgetaboutit." I submitted 3 pages of 
corrections and Mr. Hartoff accepted the bulk of them very reluctantly. You 
see, I had a computer with a daisy-wheel printer and could edit like crazy.

I bought the boat. The insurance company said nothing. And like everyone 
else on this list I found items that were missed over the next two years.

More recently, I had a Willard 40 undergo a purchase survey by a reputable 
and informative surveyor out of Beaufot, NC. He was most educational, but 
his report a single listing of deficiencies with no ranking whatsoever. I 
bought the boat. I am sorry to report that Zurich wanted every damned one 
remedied and my broker would do anything to point out to them the 
insignificance of some of the items. I received a policy with I think a 30 
day cure letter. I fixed every safety item and was not a happy camper. Since 
then I have suggested to anyone engaging this surveyor that he be required 
to rank and group deficiencies in his report.

I also know that Zurich uses another firm to handle marine claims. This 
suggests to me that they do not have an in-house expertise in marine 
insurance. Add that to a tightening marine insurance maket and you have 
solid reasons to ride herd on your surveyor and their report.

Robert Noyce surveyed another trawler for me in Annapolis and both his 
report and our conversations aboard were most educational. The technician 
from the Glenn Burnie Cummins distributor did a fantastic job and saved me 
from an expensive mistake. The owner had paid a local firm thousands of 
dollars in engine upkeep and every dime was wasted. THe sea trial saw fluids 
spitting out of the engines as we left the slip! Every leak involved their 
work and the engines had left Taiwan incorrectly setup. They were also a 
couple of years older than the boat because Taiwan companies would buy 
engines in small lots and put them in boats as they got orders.

In sum, surveys have taken on great importance to your insurance and format 
has become as important as content.

Good luck to all and watch your six,
Ron Rogers
1985 Willard 40FBS
AIRBORNE
Lying Washington, NC