Looking at '06 320...

[LakeStClairDave]

We recently agreed on a price for a 2006 320 Sundancer, but after getting the survey results we found out that there is some moisture (24%) in the engine room bulkhead in front of the starboard engine. There were also several hoses (black water, exhaust, engine intake, fuel fill) that he recommended replacing due to dry cracking. Any recommendations or suggestions? Should I be concerned about the moisture levels?

 

[Golfman25]

We recently agreed on a price for a 2006 320 Sundancer, but after getting the survey results we found out that there is some moisture (24%) in the engine room bulkhead in front of the starboard engine. There were also several hoses (black water, exhaust, engine intake, fuel fill) that he recommended replacing due to dry cracking. Any recommendations or suggestions? Should I be concerned about the moisture levels?

Not uncommon to replace cracked hoses. The moisture reading is BS. It's not the percentage which is relevant, it's the relative moisture compared to surrounding areas. Did they note any delamination? Where they able to sound the area to check? Is there a spot where the mositure whould come from? Is the owner willing to drill a few spots to investigate further?

 

[LakeStClairDave]

The surveyor said the levels on the bulkhead to the center and port side were fine. He did a percussion test and the moist area did not show any problems. No delamination reported. I asked the broker to ask the seller if he would be willing to make the repair, no word back yet. I've done some searching and read about drilling some holes, drying the inside and then filling with epoxy. I don't know where the moisture/water would have been coming from. But I do realize it must have come from somewhere, would need to find out how it got there in the first place.

 

[Stee6043]

That seems like a strange place for moisture? I'm no surveyor but around these parts we generally talk about moisture in the stringers, up on deck, in the swim platform....I've never heard someone mention the bulkhead before.

Good luck with the offer/repair!

 

[Golfman25]

Right now there is no evidence of repair needed. You don't truly know if there is water intrusion yet. The fact that is sounded well leads me to believe you could have a bogus reading. More investigation is needed. Seller should drill a few small exploratory holes and see what comes out.

 

[Strecker25]

It does seem like an odd place for high moisture, but if there is a void on the other side of the bulkhead that’s collected water it could be wicking up.

I don’t know that hull too well but I also don’t think that bulkhead would be structurally critical so the repair might not be too bad.

a couple holes with a small drill bit will tell the story pretty quickly

 

[JimG]

Some reading for you:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/official-320-dancer-thread.1313/

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!