I am looking at purchasing a 42 Commander 1972. The boat is well-maintained. The hull has no blisters, osmosis or delamination. However, the moisture level varies from medium throughout to high in several places. Is this a dangerous purchase... will it remain at the this same condition? Please share your experiences.
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I worked for the University of Arizona for 18 years and we trained 80 people in wayer damage remediation. Moister meters are only good for comparing . You can do destructive testing and dry put a sample in a lab. Weight of the boat will tell you the most. In 72 Chriscraft was using way more resine percsq ft than modern boats. If it looks good and matches manufacturers performance numbers go for it
Thank YOU
Depends a lot on where the boat is located as well. A boat in the Great Lakes region spends more than half the year out of the water - a boat down south may spend most of the year in the water with some water in the bilge as well - more more likely to absorb and retain water.
A moisture meter is a good start but beware there are some things that give off false readings.
-Some bottom paints are metallic
-Meters can read water , oil, sludge in a bilge
-Metal objects like tankage , engines, shafts, steering components ,etc will read as high moisture
-A big factor specific to commanders is that they have a big swath of copper screen embedded usually on the port bottom between the stringers starting at the shaft log going about 12-15' foward. It was installed by the factory as a ground for single side band radio telephones
That said, even though commanders are not a cored hull , they can sometimes absorb water between layers of FRP. This is most likely to occur near the shaft logs as the method used to glass them to the hull left exposed glass endgrain along with voids in this area
Thank YOU for your time and insight
Jeremy hit the nail on the head! The key is WHERE is the moisture readings? If on bottom is it painted? And how long was it out before the readings were taken? Most quality surveyors will use a phenolic hammer to sound areas of concern. If on decks or hatches I just literally posted an article (that soft spot) about this before I saw your post. It will give you some more insight.