Formosa 46 Balsa Core Deck Thickness

[snaggletooth]

Moisture meters lie.

[Kevin84]

How so? I already know the decks are soaked.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by snaggletooth

Moisture meters lie.

Note that I said it would help figure where to excavate. Also, use it inside the cabin. Fillers and many other factors will fool the meter if its used topsides. I found mine to be an honest broker used inside. It saved me about half of the digging indicated from above and anywhere it was pegged, balsa was saturated. It thinks my new rudder, epoxy-microballoon filler with carbon fiber skin is totally soaked. They are easily fooled.

They also have a hard time with certain bottom paints. When the surveyor tells you the hull is a wet wreck, check it from the inside.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Note that I said it would help figure where to excavate. Also, use it inside the cabin. Fillers and many other factors will fool the meter if its used topsides. I found mine to be an honest broker used inside. It saved me about half of the digging indicated from above and anywhere it was pegged, balsa was saturated. It thinks my new rudder, epoxy-microballoon filler with carbon fiber skin is totally soaked. They are easily fooled.

They also have a hard time with certain bottom paints. When the surveyor tells you the hull is a wet wreck, check it from the inside.

Carbon fiber conducts electricity. Of course your rudder reads wet. A basic understanding of the mechanics is all that's required to rely on your meter. Mine never fails me.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

You might also find the $200 or so for a moisture meter is a work saver. Use it on the INSIDE with the headliner removed. Fillers on the deck & non-skid may fool the meter if used top-sides. Good tutorial on the web site. Get a pinless analog type. You don't need accessories. Calibrate against places and materials you know to be dry. It will point out the places to start your excavation.

Electrophysics Moisture Meters






Fiberglass , Epoxy , Composites, Carbon Fiber - U.S. Composites, Inc. Link to US composites

This unit comes with a calibration plate. This is safer than calibrating on boat surfaces known to be dry, as it compensates for ambient humidity.

[Cruiser5357]

You might want to check out this site: Dryboat® - The Modern, Affordable Solution to Fiberglass De-Lamination and Wet Coring. I had a friend who had wet stringers, bottom, deck, etc in his 42' sedan bridge and he was going to try to repair himself. He talked to the company, and a couple of surveyors familiar with the system and then finding out the manufacturer recommended this process, he went this route and says it worked great and saved him money, time, frustration, and possibly his marriage

[challenger24]

Here is some ideas about moisture meters from a respected Canadian surveyor that may surprise you and save you some money. Moisture Meter Mythology and Flir thermal imager