Surveying Yachts and Small Craft

First of all, I bought it pre-owned at a fraction of the price and it arrived in great condition. Personally, I couldn't find any blemishes on it.As for the content of the book, I'm only about 20% of the way through it and I've learnt a LOT from it. I've been surveying for three years and this has made a significant improvement to my ability.If you're a marine surveyor, get this book!

This book is mainly for practicing surveyors or people training to be surveyors. The book mainly covers survey writing, etc. It's not of much value to a boat owner, or when evaluating a boat for purchase, despite the marketing claims.The book also feels hastily put together. It looks like it's mainly a copy & paste of existing survey reports, photos, etc. with some minor editing (sometimes poorly).The photos are maybe the best part of the book. However the photo and the text are misaligned, so you constantly have to hunt for the text that is accompanying the photo. The photos do tend to show extreme situations. If I found any of the stuff in the photos in a boat I want to buy, I would probably walk. It would have been more helpful to show more hard to detect findings, instead of photo after photo of a rust bucket.I found Don Casey's books to be much more helpful. I recommend skipping this book unless surveying is your craft.

This is essential reading for any prospective boat owner/surveyor whether the craft is new or used. The author gives a thorough and practical introduction to the field of small craft surveying in a very readable and logical style. It is expertly written with the interests of the boat owner in mind. Stevens's honesty is refreshing. He does not suffer fools gladly; bodgers and shoddy manufacturing practices incur his wrath. He insists on the highest standards being observed in surveying. He proceeds to outline a logical approach to completing a thorough survey. This is a step by step approach which will allow a surveyor to prepare a report that will identify any underlying problem that the untrained eye could miss.If you are a boat owner or thinking of becoming one, then this book should be on your book shelf. It will save you a lot of money.

Written with subtle humor, this book provides an overview of yacht surveying and numerous pointers to industry standards. If you own or are in the process of buying a boat SURVEYING light to be on you required reading list! The boat you save may be your own.

About the best I've found but it could be more detailed and step-by-step.

I bought this book so when I look at a used sailboat I can tell if it is worth hiring a pro surveyor to inspect it before I buy.

Very comprehensive and well written.

Very professional and complete.

This book is a highly practical guide to fibreglass boats, their structure and condition. As such it will appeal to students of surveying, and practical boatowners.It is written in a way that enables anyone with a practical interest in boats to gain the knowledge to be able to make informed judgements about buying a second hand boat.The book is laid out in an organised way section by section covering each area of investigation and includes many photographs.I found the book an invaluable asset.Gerry RidgeRidge Marine Surveying

I now look at boats, and surveyors, with a new understanding. A very useful book if you are thinking of going on a boat or crewing as well as if you are buying.

Even as a merchant navy engineer this was a very interesting read

Informative book providing good information what to look for when you want to buy a boat

Very helpful but would have liked a bit more about construction of hulls with inner bonded frames and linings.Metal frames as used by X Yachts and a few others are not mentioned at all.