Pre-Purchase Testimonials

Considering the purchase of a boat?

Perhaps you have done it many times but this was our first experience, an experience that went very well indeed. What created that outcome? For us it was knowledge and that knowledge was provided in great part by Steve D'Antonio through his Pre-Purchase Inspection service. He spent two days with us going over our potential purchase of a 2002 42-foot trawler. His complete understanding of marine systems and his ability to observe and document his findings both in writing and photographically are of great practical value. With this knowledge you know what you may be getting into and can make better decisions because of that. It helps you evaluate the vessel before you make the decision to purchase and then if you do purchase as we did it gives you a great tool to work with the boat yard, to have items addressed with both you and the yard having clear expectations of each other. Steve responded to all questions quickly and can verbally explain many of the more complicated issues in easy to understand terms. As we went through this experience we heard from our broker, the boat yard and the other surveyors that Steve's report was the most thorough and complete they had seen. He is a pleasure to work with and we believe the cost of engaging him is far outweighed in savings through his observations and his creation of our piece of mind.

Steve & Gail Sabol
MV Summerhouse

It was a few days before Christmas 2007 that we first met with Steve D'Antonio, proprietor of Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting (SDMC). A couple of months earlier, my wife and I had signed an agreement to buy a new Chinese built trawler and we had enthusiastically handed over our 10% deposit. As time went on, we started to realize that the salesman's promises were not equivalent to the factory's intentions and we started to become extremely concerned. In addition, our continuing requests for more precise specifications were not being answered.

We had remembered seeing an advertisement in Passagemaker magazine for a consulting company that represented clients in boat purchases. We contacted SDMC and Steve was gracious enough to meet with us on a Saturday just a few days before Christmas. As a result, we signed up for SDMC's New Build Consultation program and Steve proceeded to prepare a document containing a number of important questions addressing the construction details of our proposed new trawler. The answers that we received from the factory caused us to realize that we were not likely to take delivery of a boat built to a high quality standard, and with little regard to the standards established by the American Boat and Yacht Council. As such, we took up the option of cancelling the order and received back our deposit.

This was greatly disappointing to my wife and me, but we learned an important lesson. Even though we did not complete the New Build Consultation program with SDMC, we realized that working with Steve opened our eyes to the fact that not all boats, regardless of cost, were built to an acceptable quality standard. We were indeed fortunate that with Steve's intervention, we did not buy this boat!

We re-commenced our search and enthusiastically continued our association with SDMC. Steve offered us the Vessel Selection Assist program which allowed us to review the specifications and features of different potential boats with him. This was primarily achieved through email and phone calls. Most often, the broker's "listings" were limited in details so Steve would help us to develop a list of additional questions for any of the boats that we had interest in pursuing. We found it most interesting that the broker's "listings" often provided details about such items as the type of stereo system and the size of the microwave, but seldom did they provide details of the tankage materials, type of hoses used and confirmation of ABYC compliance with electrical wiring and any other construction aspects. As potential live-aboards, we found this to be quite concerning.

Steve also assisted us with estimating the cost to repair and refit several of the boats that we were interested in. During the Vessel Selection Assist process, we had learned that for any boat that we would eventually decide to buy, the true cost would be the purchase price plus the cost of fixing it. There were some boats that appeared to be good candidates for us to buy and Steve agreed to visit these with us. During the visit, Steve performed an inspection of the overall construction and the boat's systems and provided us with a detailed report of what it would likely take, and cost, to carry out repairs and to add equipment that we felt that we needed. Had we not learned from Steve the realistic costs of "fixing" these boats, we would likely have offered well above a sensible price.

And then the day came. Having digested most of what we had learned from Steve during the eighteen months that we were working with him, we found a boat that we were confident would pass Steve's scrutiny without too much expense in "fixing" it. Steve offered us the Pre-Purchase Inspection program which involved Steve spending two full days at the boat during the inspection period of the contract. We did this in addition to the survey and found that Steve's report went into far greater detail and offered many additional observations compared to the traditional survey. Steve's findings were instrumental in negotiating a price reduction for the boat.

The closing took place and we are now out cruising aboard a boat that we feel comfortable, safe and secure on. But Steve is still with us. We signed up for the SDMC Captains' Club program whereby we receive access to Steve's immense knowledge base, either by phone or email. We have access to information regarding such things as operation of our boat's systems, general troubleshooting, decisions on equipment that we are contemplating adding and even the occasional "panic" phone call. Finding that the davit wouldn't operate to place the RIB back on our boat, a phone call to Steve at nine o'clock that evening helped us to fix problem. We intend to set the record for most number of questions ever asked of Steve on the Captain's program. Hopefully, he won't increase his fees to us next year!

John and Paulette Lee

Dear Steve,

After the long journey around the continent we have finally received our new trawler and are enjoying her more every day. Please accept my compliments and gratitude for the comprehensive inspection that you provided prior to our final negotiations and eventual purchase. I remember well the first time we spoke and the initial sticker shock of your fees. After comparisons with the conventional survey conducted at the same time, the list of old adages such as "the best is not cheap" and "you get what you pay for" come to mind. While the conventional survey required for insurance and transport purposes was significantly less money- it was of little value compared to your detailed report of construction flaws (any one of which could lead to catastrophe). By comparison the conventional survey should more properly be termed an "inventory list" as it did not detect 1/10 of the issues you found. By the time I cross off the last of the items I think she'll be ready to cross oceans. For those contemplating such journeys I believe one of your inspections to be more valuable than a life raft or EPIRB. Finally, with the report as a negotiating tool, I was able to more than recover the cost of the inspection and so actually saved money in both the short term and very likely the long run with problems avoided.

With appreciation and highest recommendation,
James Kovats
"Coriolis"

Dear Steve,

I just wanted you to know how important your pre-purchase inspection, report, and follow-up counsel were to the purchase of our "new" boat-a 2001 37 foot trawler. As you know, our boat ownership experience was nil, and this was of great concern given the size of this purchase relative to our present and future net worth. My wife especially took great comfort in both the obvious thoroughness and competence of your report. Further, the report greatly enhanced our ability to have follow up discussions with repair facilities and the sellers, both in negotiating for immediately necessary repairs, and for getting a feel for what additional expenses might be coming down the pike.

As I told you during the inspection, the report of the highly recommended surveyor told us essentially nothing of value in addressing the very real issues of the boat, and what to expect over time. I look forward to getting the items you have identified to this point addressed, and I hope to engage you for a day or two, for an update and review on our way down the east coast next year, along with hopefully ongoing advice on appropriate spare parts lists, maintenance best practices, etc.

Yours
Gary Nakarado

Hi Steve,

Thank you very much for the superior and outstanding pre-delivery inspection that you performed recently on my new 52 foot motoryacht.

My boating began fifteen years ago, after retirement, with the purchase of used 52 foot trawler, followed in succession with three other boats, including the present one. I was determined to avoid most , if not all, of the post delivery mechanical problems that were present with the previous boats. Unfortunately, my past experience with marine surveyors left much to be desired.

For the past four or five years I have been reading your excellent articles in PassageMaker magazine, and then I attended one of your presentations at the 2008 Greenport Trawler Fest. Your experience, depth of knowledge, and pleasant, friendly demeanor led me to seek your help to provide a detailed pre-delivery inspection of my new boat.

Your inspection and subsequent written report, accompanied by hundreds of photos documenting the findings, was simply, without a doubt, the most eye-opening, jaw-dropping, thoroughly professional and complete performance that the thirty year experienced dealer had ever seen. After being, at first, somewhat defensive, he has now become a fan of yours, collecting your writings, learning from your expertise, and, most importantly, applying this newly gained knowledge of the correct equipment and installation to not only my boat, but to others that follow.

Steve, I owe you a debt of gratitude, for the brilliant work you did for me, and the way you have made yourself available to assist in correcting the many problems that you uncovered on my new boat. I will not hesitate to call upon you in the future when the need arises. Thanks again.

Stanley L Demski
MD

Steve:

We just wanted to take a moment to say, your verbal presentation, of the essentials of your inspection report, aboard the 42-foot vessel we are considering purchasing was extremely well delivered. We realize that you were more or less on the "hot" seat with buyer, seller and brokers present, however, you seemed to be very much aware of that and yet able to be forthright in your delivery of information. Your sensitivity to the vessel's current owner did not go unnoticed. You are a valuable asset to the industry and to the potential boat buyer. Thank you for your able guidance during our purchase of this vessel.

Laurence and Robin Lombard

Dear Steve,

I write to thank you for the outstanding and very professional job you did on the pre-delivery inspection of my new 50-foot trawler. It was the best money I spent on the boat. The 97 issues you uncovered during the extensive two-day inspection were as surprising to the boat builder as they were to me.

As you know, these issues ranged from 23 "critical safety items (direct risk of fire, explosion, electrocution, injury or loss of life)" to 33 "important, may compromise safe operation (the vessel may lose power, lose control or flood as a result of this problem)" to 41 "not critical, a nuisance or merely undesirable, but not immediately serious (however, may lead to substantial failures and / or repair costs in the future)."

Fortunately for me, the boat builder agreed with your assessment and recommendations and have now corrected all of the issues brought to their attention by your report. Thanks to you, I now have a much better boat and the builder will benefit from your expertise on all future boats they build.

I don't think I told you before, but the reason I decided to hire you to inspect the boat was a result of my attending your two-day Ships' Systems Stem to Stern seminar last May at the Trawler Fest held in Anacortes, Washington. Your seminar proved to me you really knew your business. Your real-world practical knowledge, gained from many years experience with all types and makes of boats, makes your knowledge superior to anyone in this business.

The only thing I would do differently if I were to commission another boat to be built is to hire you at the beginning of the boat building process to oversee all aspects of construction, including recommendations for all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

I also very much appreciate that you expedited your report to me as the builder was moist anxious to start immediately making the necessary changes you recommended. Not only that, but you continued to have dialogue with both me and the builder on issues raised during the inspection.

Respectfully,
Doug Hallat

"My wife and I decided to purchase a used 50 foot diesel powered trawler. Although we had several years experience on our 28 foot Searay Sundancer, we knew that we could not properly understand or evaluate the true condition and potential problems with trawler's many systems without expert help. Also, we wanted much more detail than we would get from an ordinary marine survey. We hired Steve D'Antonio because of his expertise and it was the best decision we made.

When Steve's entire body disappeared into the chain locker we knew we would be getting a thorough inspection. Steve provided us with detailed information on the condition of and potential problems with such things as electrical wiring, connections, fusing, poor bus block locations, inappropriate bolt and plug materials, steering linkage anomalies, window replacement, bilge valves and manifolds, an exhaust installation incompatible with the generator manufacturer's requirements, the use of inappropriate hoses for certain applications, and a myriad of other items, many of which were not even noted in the survey. As important, Steve's report explained what needed to be done to fix the problem conditions and, where possible, cited us to web sites or other sources for the parts or information to do this.

Steve found almost 60 items that we needed to know about-from those that could sink the boat to those that could cause mere inconvenience if not attended to. Comparing Steve's report with the survey showed dramatically how much more information Steve had given us to use in negotiating any final purchase price adjustments and in knowing what really needed to be fixed on the vessel to make our cruising safe and enjoyable with no unexpected surprises.

Steve performed all of his work in an entirely professional and timely way and was happy to answer all of our questions-of which there were many. We unequivocally recommend Steve's service to anyone who is buying a boat, or who just wants to know what the real condition of their boat is!"

Darrel Peters and Susan E. Lister
2006 50-foot trawler

I purchased a new sportfishing boat from a manufacturer that has a reputation for excellent quality. I hired Steve D'Antonio as a consultant to inspect the boat before I took delivery. Steve found a couple of dozen major and minor items that needed attention, some of which were important safety issues. He then worked very cooperatively with the dealer to discuss how to correct them. Both the dealer and I were impressed by Steve's thoroughness, his knowledge of boat systems, and his professional manner of communicating. I recommend Steve's services to anyone who is buying a new or used boat.

Frank Batten Jr.
Norfolk, VA

"I met Steve D 4 years ago while my boat was in a yard he then managed in Virginia. Within a year, I found myself calling him for advice on all of the tough boating related questions that I had. He always had the right answer!

This spring I bought a new boat from a very high quality production boat manufacturer and decided, for the first time, to hire a professional to go over the boat's mechanical systems. The first person who came to mind was Steve, now with his own consulting business. Steve and I spent one very full day going over the boat stem to stern, through sea trial and haul out. I was shocked, that within a ten page report, he identified over fifty problems in the basic build of the boat! The manufacturer agreed with virtually every item he identified and fixed the problems prior to delivery. The important part for me is that most of these were items neither a surveyor nor I would have identified, and many of them were significant safety issues.

I have over 40 years experience in and around boats, but I will never buy another vessel, new or used, without Steve's guidance."

W.K. Harris
Norfolk, VA

"Steve: I am sorry to say that we need to postpone your inspection of my new vessel. They are doing very good work, but perhaps they are being extra careful because they know that you are coming to check their work."

Frank B.
Norfolk, VA

Steve:

I would like to thank you for your very thorough and detailed report on my new 48-foot motor yacht.

As you know, this purchase represented a substantial financial investment on my part. Not only did your report reassure me that what I was buying was what had been represented, it also gave me a valuable tool with which to negotiate the modifications, corrections and changes you suggested, all at the builder's expense.

Having read your articles in "PassageMaker" over the years it is obvious that your reputation in the boating world is second to none, particularly on the technical aspects of boat building, systems and mechanics etc. Most of us boat owners know enough to generally get us into trouble. Therefore, I felt I needed someone with your reputation and expertise in my corner when buying my next boat. My only regret is I should have done it sooner, when buying my first boat.

Again, many thanks for your valuable help.
Ron Thompson

"After taking Steve's D'Antonio's PassageMaker University course on Ship's Systems we asked him to help us choose our new boat. We looked at several trawlers together and Steve pointed out the positive and negative aspects of each boat in great detail. He also provided a thorough written report on each vessel.

With Steve's help we felt confident that there were no "hidden issues" with the boat that we finally chose. We also used items from his report in the purchase negotiations. Hiring this guy to consult on a new boat purchase will pay big dividends in knowledge and peace of mind."

John and Dianne Kernan
San Diego, CA

"A note of thanks for your time and expertise on our behalf, your services as an advisor have been invaluable. We'll certainly call on you for assistance with our next project. Many, many thanks."

LC and Robin Lombard
Taftsville, VT

"In a perfect world all doctors, lawyers and boat industry representatives would be knowledgeable, honest and ethical. This is not a perfect world. Unless you are extremely experienced in all aspects of buying a boat you enter the boating world at your own peril.

Steve, you provide a service that has been missing from the boating industry for the duration of my 30 odd years of buying, owning and selling boats. Your 20 years of experience and your eye for detail allows you to focus on things that may appear minor on the surface but could represent significant safety and cost issues down the road. But Steve is an additional cost, some might say….how do you justify that? It is always difficult to apply a finite value to something that did not happen but most logical thinking people understand that prevention is paramount to risk management.

Your competent assistance and counsel in the selection and purchase of my trawler was invaluable! There is little doubt in my mind that over the long haul you saved me far more than your fee. And how do you place a value on peace of mind? Rest assured that I will be calling for your assistance again in the near future."

R. Burt Prater, MD