'lo All, If I were looking at a boat which was located where I didn't know any surveyor's and couldn't con my regular surveyor into going there, I would check with all the major repair yards I could find in the area and ask them, face to face if possible. They probably would not tell you to who to stay away from, but they should be happy to recommend those they feel safe in recommending, considering they, too, have a reputation to uphold. I would make sure they knew the type of surveyor I wanted, i.e., very thorough and experienced with the type of boat under consideration. When we bought the Albin we currently have, I found it on the Internet. It was located in Mobile, AL. We went and looked at it and talked with the maintenance folks in the marina where it was kept. They were honest with us about the boat as they had done some work on it and they recommended a surveyor, who, I have found out since, would have done an excellent job. We are fortunate; however, in having a surveyor here in Panama City, FL who I trust very much and is very thorough. He was amenable to going to Mobile with us, which gave us an opportunity to discuss the merits of that type of boat and the manufacturer's track record. Boat surveyors have a lot of reference materials available to them if they belong to one or more of the marine survey organizations, such as the Society Of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS). I would not use anyone who was not fully accredited by at least one of the survey organizations. I have not found anything that the surveyor missed, and am very happy with the Albin. It is not an ocean-crosser, but then ... I don't intend to cross any oceans. And, when I want to cross the Gulf of Mexico (mainly Carrabelle to Clearwater), I can pick my time. Somebody on the list said (paraphrasing) that everyone would buy a Mercedes if he could afford it. Not me ... I am very happy with my Buick. Hope everyone has a Great Christmas and a Super New Year! Wayne M/V Celestial Albin 43 Sundeck