Surveying a boat with an epoxied hull

[Marmalade]

I'm buying a boat that had a preventative epoxy job done a couple of years ago (seen the receipts). The moisture levels (based on a previous survey which I've seen) were pretty low. If a surveyor wants to check moisture levels in the hull he'll have to crack the epoxy which is a) a shame and b) will leave me with an unwanted repair job and a bill.

Has anyone come across this circumstance?

 

[jwilson]

The surveyor won't have to crack the epoxy: he'll take 'moisture readings' through it with a meter. These 'moisture meters' don't actually read mositure, but electrical conductivity: nevertheless used intelligently (which is not always the case) can show up what might (or might not) be potential problems.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Moisture results on a hull that has been epoxy coated can not be done without damaging the epoxy, however a reading taken on the inside will not damage the epoxy.

There are meters that will read the hull moisture without damaging the epoxy but the readings can be suspect, no doubt one of our surveyors will improve on this explanation. I am conducting some trials with a moisture meter that uses both the standard 2 pin arrangement and a sensor that only sits on the surface and has a layer of insulation between the meter and the item being tested, earl days yet, too soon to even give an opinion, but I'm working on it.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[Lakesailor]

I seem to think this represents the case that I argued against recently in which a forumite had received a low moisture survey on a 30 year old grp boat and the surveyor was suggesting an epoxy sheath.

The possible purchaser in this case is now wonderning why an epoxy coating has been applied and the surveyor may negate it's value by breaching it.

What a waste of time and money.

 

[Pasarell]

No reason to damage the epoxy when checking moisture readings provided the surveyor uses an appropriate meter. He should also take comparative readings from a "dry" area of the hull as the meters don't give an absolute measure of moisture content, just an indication of it's existence. If you have readings from the underwater area and from the topsides a good surveyor can interpret the result and tell if you have a problem.

 

[wheat]

G'day folkes I'm a first timer so please be patient. With regards moisture meters. The best and most accurate meters measure with a sensor.These are extemely accurate devices and carry a fairly hefty price tag for a good unit The 2 pronged versions were the old way of doing things. Hope this helps

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Winkali, and welcome to the WBW forums, don't forget to fill in your bio.

I have just recently purchased a meter that has both prongs and a sensor, I'm doing a few tests at the moment on Known moisture's behind a variety of materials including epoxy and other materials. Not cheap as you say, but I'm hoping to come up with a set of tables and settings that will make reading simpler and more accurate, they will be available for anyone to use when completed, but don't ask me when that will be; I thought it would take a few months, but suspect it will be longer, the more I find the more questions are raised and must be answered to move on.

Avagoodweekend......