sleazy surveyors in my life. They charge you an arm and a leg and all they do is count the life preservers and check the fire extinguishers. I have used the same guy for the last 5 surveys. I changed to another guy once about two years ago to get a fresh set of eyes on the boat but changed back to my original guy last time. He does a lot of commercial long range fishing boats and high end yachts now. I started with him back when I first bought the boat and his business has changed from the usual smaller pleasure yachts to commercial and the high end stuff. I think he still does me only because I've been with him for so long. It's hard to know who to use because there are so many jerks out there. On the other hand if you stick with the same guy you run the risk of only seeing what he sees every time. This guy has now morphed into a friend and I've learned to trust him which helps ease the mind. The insurance companies really stick it to you if you cruise the way we do. We'll spend a season or two outside the US and then come home for a season. The cost of off shore insurance is so much more then for here in the US that it makes sense to change back to Boat US when we get back. The down side is that every time we get back they want a new survey. Every time I turn around I'm hauling her out. Major PITA.