My business slows down over the winter months
and I get a little stir crazy because I'm
the type that needs to keep busy. So while
I will survey some frozen boats, it is important
that you understand the limitations of what
I can tell you about moisture content and
core condition. The two primary methods of
determining core condition and moisture content
are ......
Moisture Meters which do not measure moisture, they measure
capacitance (pretty much like conductivity).
When moisture in the structure is frozen, it crystalizes and all that air between the
ice crystals reduces conductivity so the
meter gives false low readings.
Percussive Sounding (Whacking with a hammer) is the other and
sometimes more reliable method of finding
wet core but when frozen, the core often
sounds like dry, solid core unless there
is some delamination, core separation or
a large void.
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| While I will sometimes survey frozen boats,
you must realize that I cannot positively
tell you the condition of any cored structure
whether it be balsa or foam core decks &
hulls or plywood cored transoms. It is rare
to find an older boat without some degree
of moisture in the core or between the laminate
and the core. Please also note that on rare
occasions I have seen boats just a couple
of years old with large areas of rotten core
and don't forget that the surveyor might
not be as reliable when his fingers are frozen. |
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Rotten deck core is an expensive problem
to fix and I may survey the vessel as long
as you understand the limitations but I strongly
suggest you wait til' spring or until the
boat has been above freezing temperature
for at least 48hrs.
Please also remember that I can only inspect
what I can get to. Canvas or shrink wrap
covers will certainly hinder examination
to some degree.
If you are considering a vessel with
a cored
hull and want to have it surveyed in
a frozen
condition please consider hiring someone
else as I don't like working for crazy
people
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| Need a Marine Surveyor In Ontario ..... see
this list of Every Marine Surveyor in Ontario |
