High moisture Readings

[Bodach na mara]

I had two boats surveyed for purchase a few years ago. In the first, the surveyor said that, as it had been epoxy coated, moisture meter readings would not be very useful but he scraped off small patches of antifouling and showed me lots of small blisters. He said that he could not tell whether they indicated a serious problem or not but the epoxy needed removed and renewed. I didn't buy the boat.

The second boat had also been epoxy coated and he reminded me of what he had said the first time. However when he scraped off the antifouling he pointed out that there were no signs of any problems. With that assurance and a good report on the rest of the boat I proceeded with the purchase.

Your surveyor should talk with you and explain the findings.

 

[Tranona]

Haha that's the thing though, I don't need to pay someone hundreds of pounds to tell me I need a rigger to inspect the rigging, an engineer to inspect the engine, etc. If the insurance company didn't insist I paid the witchhunter I'd have used that money to pay a rigger to tell me something useful. My point was that the boat survey industry is not fit for purpose. If they can't tell me anything useful in the report then the report by definition holds no value. The OP has been told there's a moisture reading, and many, many readings have been taken. Are you suggesting that after such thorough use of an extremely specific tool with specific results that the surveyor is somehow not in a position to say anything useful beyond "the hull is damp"?
Sure, I get that OP could use that wishy washy report to try to negotiate, but if I were the vendor I wouldn't accept it without a concrete explanation of expected remedial action beyond letting it dry on the hard. Similarly I don't consider a surveyor telling me that the rigging is 11 years old but not inspected to be any more useful than the vendor saying it, and I certainly wouldn't change the boat price because it was included in a report unless it was somehow missed in the advert, but even then ask before making an offer.

Why don't you read what the OP said - see post#15. Not sure why the original post was made other than to show that the survey had been thorough and taken a wide range of readings along both sides of the hull, so just reporting facts. The important finding (which the surveyor has reported) is that the hull is sound.

Maybe you should ask your surveyor not to look at the rigging at all if you don't like what he tells you. If you want a full rigging (or an engine survey and report) then engage people competent to do that. You might even consider following my advice and enter into a dialogue with your surveyor about what you want for your money so there is no misunderstanding - bearing in mind that your other audience for the survey is your insurer so make sure their needs are met as well.

 

[James W]

Be careful here. You have no above the waterline measurements to compare the readings to and the hull has already been epoxied. I would ask the surveyor to go back (on his money) as this is a real oversight. If it turns out that there is osmosis lurking under the epoxy, it’s not going to sink the boat, but it is an enormous and very expensive job on a boat that big.

 

[Helipilot100]

Thanks to all who replied. I have bought the boat subject to a sea trial to check out the engines. I will post another question to see if anyone can recommend a good Caterpillar Mechanic near Almerimer. Thanks again to all.

 

[Stemar]

If it turns out that there is osmosis lurking under the epoxy

I won't pretend to be an expert, but did do a bit of very amateur research for my own benefit a few years ago.

If there is "osmosis" under the epoxy, after a few years I would expect blisters to be present. If there aren't. stop worrying and go sailing. If there are, and they're coin sized rather than plate sized, stop worrying and go sailing. If they're plate sized, yes, you need to do something.

99 times out of 100, osmosis only matters if you're buying and want a price reduction.

 

[Helipilot100]

I won't pretend to be an expert, but did do a bit of very amateur research for my own benefit a few years ago.

If there is "osmosis" under the epoxy, after a few years I would expect blisters to be present. If there aren't. stop worrying and go sailing. If there are, and they're coin sized rather than plate sized, stop worrying and go sailing. If they're plate sized, yes, you need to do something.

99 times out of 100, osmosis only matters if you're buying and want a price reduction.

I have, just need a caterpillar engineer to check the engines. thanks for your comments!