Moisture Question

[sdmurray]

Posted this in General but later thought might be more appropriate here. Sorry if wrong.

Just had a 1999 370 Aft surveyed for purchase. Reported high moisture readings (18 to 25) over surfaces of inboard starboard stringer along engine compartment area. Area has satisfactory hammer soundings and reportedly checked as sound. Advise on the real world meaning would be appreciated. Any non-destructive way to lower moisture readings? From what I know of the boat the areas immediately adjacent to the stringer have been dry for at least a year.

 

[Redhook98]

Didn't you already ask this in a different area of the forum?

 

[wvsundancer]

A moisture meter reads the mositure content of the wood in the area checked. With your differences between 18 & 25% it means you have mositure build up in the wood that is different. Wood in a boat that is 11 years old in a perfect world would be between 5 and 12%. I would "guess" that the stringer is taking on mositure form the hual or water is getting into the hold in some other fashion. If you remove the source of moisture the wood will dry out over time.

 

[fwebster]

Your problem is not how to lower the moisture readings, but rather how to find the source of the water that is getting to the stringer.

There is no non-destructive way to remove the moisture..........somehow, somewhere holes will have to de drilled or sawn in order to dry the wood.

Finally, wet stringers are certainly a valid reason to cancel a purchase contract, which is what I would do in this case. If the stringers have rot in them, this will be a really, really major repair. Cancel the deal if you can.

 

[Redhook98]

I guess if I wasn't being such a smart-a$$ in my previous post I would have responded better. Doh!

I would not touch this boat if the stringers were wet. Just asking for trouble. If not now, then down the road after they rot out on you. Where is the water coming from? Can it be sealed? Has rot already taken place within the stringer?

Cancel the deal if you can. Just like the other previous posts said.....

 

[sdmurray]

Thanks to all who responded. Have some serious thinking to do.