Checking Transom and Stringers
04-30-2002, 05:51 AM
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Checking Transom and Stringers
I have a friend thats looking at a mid 20 foot boat, how can a person check the transom and the stringers for rot or high moisture without a surveyor? Use a pick and check areas for soft? Drill small holes in the stringer in spots to see if drilled chips are dry? Are the moisture checking devices that surveyors use accurate or does there also have to be some physical poking and prodding of areas to get a good check on these areas? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks Fred
04-30-2002, 07:48 AM
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hey fred, hows the new boat?
i like the "tramex skipper" moisture meter.
it works really well. you have to zero the meter first on something dry like the sides, then check the transom and stringers. you can check the stringers and transom for obvious visual signs. typically, the stringers won't be encased as well as should be from the factory. or some people decide to drill a hole through the stinger to run wire or hose and never re-seal them. through hull fittings on the transom must be sealed or there will be water, then rot since there is no drain on the bottom of the transom, once you get water, it will always be there. if it has through hull exhaust, look on the inside of the transom and see if they were sealed. a rubber mallet is cheaper than a moisture meter though and works pretty well too. take care, Fran
i like the "tramex skipper" moisture meter.
it works really well. you have to zero the meter first on something dry like the sides, then check the transom and stringers. you can check the stringers and transom for obvious visual signs. typically, the stringers won't be encased as well as should be from the factory. or some people decide to drill a hole through the stinger to run wire or hose and never re-seal them. through hull fittings on the transom must be sealed or there will be water, then rot since there is no drain on the bottom of the transom, once you get water, it will always be there. if it has through hull exhaust, look on the inside of the transom and see if they were sealed. a rubber mallet is cheaper than a moisture meter though and works pretty well too. take care, Fran
04-30-2002, 09:35 AM
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How are you doing Fran?....Still have a couple of issues to take care of before picking up the Hawk....on this moisture thing, if a boat isn't bottom painted and is left in the water the summer season does it make it a prime canidate for moisture in the hull? How much are these moisture meters? How do you use a rubber mallet to check?....Help....Thanks, Fred
04-30-2002, 09:57 AM
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the hull shouldn't absorb any water unless the gelcoat was in bad shape or blistered or if there were hairline cracks in the keel. the bottom paint is mainly to keep the growth off.
the moisture meter is around $600. if you buy a used boat and have to replace a transom or stringer because it has lost it's structural integrity from rot, $600 is cheap.
you take the mallet and tap around. if you listen closely you can tell the difference from wet and rotted to dry.
the moisture meter is around $600. if you buy a used boat and have to replace a transom or stringer because it has lost it's structural integrity from rot, $600 is cheap.
you take the mallet and tap around. if you listen closely you can tell the difference from wet and rotted to dry.
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