When buying my boat, a Hunter Legend, in Swanwick (UK) from Belgium where I live, Matt West was of invaluable assistance in guiding me through the whole process. Not only in delivering a clear, professional survey with lots of pictures and advice on what should be fixed right away and what should get some attention later, but also how to prepare for negotiating a fair price with the broker. As a foreigner, having someone local you can trust, acting as your eyes and your ears and helping you to keep you with both feet on the ground, is an investment that’s worth every penny.
Hello Matt
We instructed you to perform a survey on a boat that we were looking to purchase. Although I knew a little about boats but a little more about this boat in particular, I decided to use the services of a trained boat surveyor for peace of mind.
I found the initial contact with your company to the presentation of the survey report extremely pain free with absolutely everything organised by Marine Surveys UK and with exemplary communication throughout.Your survey, testing and subsequent report was professional, in depth and very accurate.
Your findings, gave me the benefit of using it as a tool to both reduce the cost of the boat or get repairs carried out prior to the boats delivery.
The previous owner, although not impressed with the fact that he had to spend out on the repairs highlighted by you, was very impressed with your level of detail and testing and has kept your details to use your services when he buys his next boat. Our boat is now in her new home and we are very happy with her and in the knowledge that she has had a very thorough and detailed survey performed on her by a very knowledgeable and professional company.
May I wish you every success in 2014 and thank you very much for your services.
I researched and contacted many Marine Surveyors to get a pre-purchase survey. Matt West from Marine Surveys UK stood out. Initial contact with Matt was extremely professional. As a new boat owner I was uncertain about what to expect. Matt provided a full detailed list of the inspection work and an example of a previous similar survey he had carried out. The detail and the helpful way his report was set out convinced me to engage him. And I was very pleased that I did. Thereport on my boat was of the exact excellent standard as his example. And better still was Matt’s prompt arrival at my prospective marina and the friendly and helpful way he talked me through all issues both good and troublesome. Being new to boating it was especially helpful to have someone like Matt who was happy to explain any points I was uncertain about. I would recommend him highly.
I was given Matt West Surveys number by the Broker in Portsmouth. I had not had a survey done on my previous boat as it was a small day boat, my new boat was a bit bigger !! 30 Bayliner, Matt gave me a guesstimate of how much the survey would be, he was very reassuring about what needed to be done and he said that he would give us a full break down by email on completion of the survey. I must say that through out the whole episode of survey Matt was honest and professional, prompt on his reply to emails. His report was written in a way that was understandable with out being patronizing or over technical. I would definitely use him again for further pre purchase surveys.
I contacted Matt via his website requiring a full pre purchase survey on a boat. Within 1 hour I had a response and that afternoon had a fully detailed, fixed price survey in my inbox. As this was my first boat purchase I had some queries about the scope; Matt patiently talked me through these one by one until I was comfortable with the next steps. We agreed a date/time for the survey and within 24 hours of survey completion I had received the report. Matt talked me through the report and its recommendations in detail including the best practice methods of addressing the issues raised. As it turns out, Matt spotted issues that were not picked up by the previous owner’s pre purchase survey and the seller was rather surprised. I would highly recommend Matt’s services based on his quick turnaround, reasonable pricing and acute attention to detail.
As with most survey requests we needed it done yesterday and Matt was able to oblige. I accompanied Matt during the survey and was very grateful for his time and patience when he highlighted the construction details, sea cock positions, electronic systems etc etc. All of which boosted my confidence enough to complete the deal! His attention to detail (somehow he spotted two tiny blisters in the gel coat on the rudder which even when pointed out to me were difficult to see) and assurances about how serious ( or not in my case) some of the defects were and the likely cost to rectify were all extremely useful in my negotiations. Again giving me, an inexperienced boat owner, the confidence to proceed. As someone with many years experience in providing customer service to very demanding clients, I can absolutely recommend Matt and Marine Surveys UK for their outstanding levels of service and professionalism.
I have used surveyors when buying boats previously and none came up to the standard of service provided by Matt. The survey was extremely thorough and demonstrated Matts’ superior knowledge of the industry and of individual boats, both structurally and mechanically.
The survey results were in plain English and work required was prioritised very clearly so that I was able to make an informed decision about the purchase.
Cost effective, punctual and overall superb service. Thank you Matt.
A very friendly and exceptionally helpful service, I would definitely recommend them.
I used engaged Matt to survey my boat on account of the good reviews that he has previously received.He undertook an extremely detailed survey, giving me a complete picture of the condition the entirety of my vessel was in. Providing me with the peace of mind needed for happy sailing with my family aboard. Matt is friendly and a consummate professional,I would certainly recommend
I was recommended to approach Matt West of Marine Surveys UK for a straight forward no nonsense survey when buying a boat recently. Matt provided a competitive quotation based on a well-defined scope of survey which was carried out to suit the date that the boat was available. Matt discussed the main findings of the survey with me immediately after the survey which were confirmed in a comprehensive written report within a few days. I would certainly recommend his services to others.
Matt West from Marine Surveys UK did a detailed and comprehensive survey on our boat (Maxum 2500 sports cruiser) before we purchased it. It enabled us to know exactly what we were letting ourselves in for and to adjust the purchase price accordingly. I would thoroughly recommend Matt if you need a marine survey carried out.
Matt surveyed two boats for me: a Sadler 34 which I’d owned for ten years and wanted checked and a year later a Maxi 1100 which I was buying. I was present when he surveyed the Sadler.
His reports were detailed, included pictures and were emailed within 24 hours. The reports described both necessary repairs (graded by importance) and guidance for future maintenance. He explained the significance of the comments during a subsequent telephone conversation. Prior to completion of purchase a few minor repairs were carried out on the Maxi (at the seller’s expense).
Excellent, comprehensive and prompt service.
Thank you very much for the survey report. To me it was a very thorough and honest report.The detail in it will be most helpful to us in preparing the work plan for the coming months.
For you info, in light of the report we were able to negotiate a further £2000 off our previous offer and have gone ahead with the purchase.
Thank you for the very comprehensive yet easily understood survey on the HR31. I found the day valuable as I learnt so much on how the HR31 functions and its systems.
Matt did a very good job of the survey and picked up on things that we were able to resolve prior to purchase. He was very helpful and gave us good advice.We would certainly use his services again and are happy to recommend him.
We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Matt. This was the first marine survey that we have been involved with.
Matt is professional and courteous putting us at ease throughout the procedure. He took time to explain everything that he was doing and did so in non technical terms. At the conclusion of the survey he held a full debrief ensuring we fully understood the findings.
We are now the proud owners of a new boat. Thank you.
