Sharpe Surveying & Consulting

In a world of very few true professionals, in any field, Randy Sharpe is the real deal.
After much research and speaking with many different surveyors, my initial phone call with Randy stood out. He obviously knew his business, but also seemed to have a good sense of humor and a patient demeanor. This all proved to be absolutely true when I hired him to survey a 34 foot Marine Trader trawler that I later purchased.
By the end of our survey, I had a general understanding of every issue with the vessel and Randy was able to answer all of my questions.
During the sea trial, we came across several LARGE ships in the Delta and as the yacht broker and Randy were talking, it became clear Randy had surveyed ALL of these vessels.
A couple of days later, when I received the written survey, I was completely floored with the detail. Check out his example survey on his website. Yours will be just as detailed and useful.
In the end, Randy’s survey gave me the leverage to knock off many thousands of dollars from the agreed purchase price and I ended up with a great boat at a great price, but one with issues of which I was now completely aware.
I would not hesitate to recommend Sharpe Surveying to anyone who needs accurate and detailed information for any vessel.
Trust me, you will be impressed.

I was purchasing a 26′ Marieholm International Folkboat and I thought it wise to have her surveyed. I’d had a boat survey done in a prior purchase, but decided to go with a new surveyor. I found Sharpe Surveying on a sailing business website, and since the boat was in Berkeley, narrowed list down to East Bay surveyors. Sharpe Surveying was first on the list. So I called and made an appointment. Randell Sharpe sounded like someone who could get the job done and the price seemed square, so I made an appointment.
As it turned out, the boat seller is very, very busy; we needed to move the survey date up with short notice. Randell accommodated our request with no issues.
Survey day, and a critical factor for me as to how a person runs their business is showing up on time. Randell was there, ready to go, work clothes, tools and kneepads in hand. And did he GO.
If you want to find out EVERYTHING about your boat, even if you don’t need a survey, hire Randell. He spent hours thoroughly checking this 26′ foot boat. every square inch, internal and external; checking running and standing rigging, thru-​hulls, electronics, rudder, keel, engine, safety, sounded the ENTIRE hull and deck for leaks and the dreaded delamination…
And Randell provided a wealth of information to improve the boat and about boats in general. Both the seller and myself agreed that Randell Sharpe’s clear and straightforward expertise, dispensed in a confident and friendly manner made what could have been just another business transaction into a learning experience and a pleasure. Thanks Randell.
I bought the boat and I made friends with that tricky engine…