Where to go from here
Hello again,
Sounds like you now have a complete idea of what you need to address. I wouldn't recommend legal action; the deck is stacked in favor of all but the most heinous surveyors. Lovely little phrases like, "as accessible," and, "may have existed," are outs, even when, as in this case, any remotely competent person would see a dangerous situation. I don't expect surveyors to make definitive pronouncements without definitive evidence. I do expect surveyors to pay attention, to not be in the broker's pocket, and to communicate clearly and completely. It is a high calling, so perhaps it is no surprise that good surveyors are rare. Yes, surveyors are generalists, but even GP's will know appendicitis when they see it.
The worst thing from your quotes, to my mind, was that business about how, "... the forward rake when corrected may 'relieves stress sufficient to allow a return to a fair shape.'" So on the one hand everything is fine, and on the other a little change of rake will correct the step's collapse.
Did the surveyor have anything to say about chain plates? As for what to replace them with, consider titanium, which is now the same cost as stainless, or less, and cannot crevice corrode.
Finally, once you get that boat to a denser population area, see about finding a better surveyor to go over things with you.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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