Need help reviewing IR thermal images of a Contest 38s

[Mat86]

Hello.

Does anyone in here have experience with thermal imaging?
- I'm trying to buy a 1985 Conyplex Contest 38s. As i did some research, I got aware that the hull is balsa laminated. No surveyors here Denmark know about thermal imaging. Some of them says, the only way to find out is to take core samples, and the owner won't allow that. So i borrowed one from a friend, and took some quick images.

Should i walk away from the boat, judging from these images ?
Contest38 Thermal Images by hrspwr1 | Photobucket

(note a couple of other boats just for reference)


I would greatly appreciate any comment

All the best
Matias

[Tkeeth]

I am a professional industrial thermographer for over 20 years. I offer no warranty for anything said as i did not witness or perform the exam. 1. There are rules to thermal inspection. From your post i doubt those were followed. 2. Settings of camera matter. 3. Live images (original files) that i can see camera settings and manipulate would be better.
4. There are classes and certifications for a reason.

That being said, i see only a small area at the base of the keel. The other areas on the side are suspect but appear they could be from improper test and internal configuration. The 4 spots in a square....not likely water. You should also be able to tap it and hear a difference on the big area.

[boatpoker]

I have taken several thermal imaging course when considering its use in my surveying business and came to the conclusion that it is of little use in a normal marine survey due to the time and effort setting up the Delta-T. In the hands of a certified expert who is willing to spend an entire day to do the job it can be very useful ..... otherwise a waste of time. Thermal imaging depends on controlled environment and a highly trained interpretation of the images.

You are better off with a surveyor who is familiar with balsa core construction and has a talent for using a moisture meter and a little brass hammer.

Today I completed my 4,556th survey .... you guessed ... it was a balsa cored hull. I've surveyed about 1,200 of them.

Take a look at my Moisture Meter Mythology it may help you find a surveyor who actually knows how to use them (most don't).

[Mat86]

Thanks guys.
I really appreciate your comments.

Here is a link with orig images and info:https://we.tl/mcVR3EfHTd

[Tkeeth]

Originally Posted by Mat86

Thanks guys.
I really appreciate your comments.

Here is a link with orig images and info:https://we.tl/mcVR3EfHTd

No that's a pdf file. Not raw image file. From the PDF document I can tell you the settings are all very wrong. Also to this type of exam you need active scanning, ie. heat then let cool. Just walking up and taking pics will not be successful. I suggest you find someone to fly in if you want to be certain.

[thinwater]

I too have done a lot of NDT. Nearly everything I see is probably the result of internal configuration. As Tkeeth stated, it's not that simple.

[psk125]

Thermal imaging is obviously the definitive issue in any boat purchase. If the thermal image shows anything that might be the slightest bit amiss, take a chainsaw to the boat and destroy it so that no one else has to deal with the trauma that will be associated with it.

If the thermal image seems ok, have the boat hauled and put it in a custom cradle in a shed on the hard for 10 years. This is to help it to equalize the pressures and ensure even drying of the smallest problem areas that don't always show up on thermal images. After this is done, take another thermal image to verify the stability of the situation. If there are any doubts, repeat this procedure as often as necessary. When all thermal image issues are totally resolved, you can launch. To ensure that nothing bad happens (thermal images can be difficult to interpret, as others have mentioned) tie the boat in a slip (NOT on a mooring) and DO NOT SAIL the boat for another three years. Then have another thermal image made. Compare it to the initial ones and act accordingly. This may involve hauling the boat again and putting it in the shed, but the definitive nature of thermal imaging calls for it. Following this process will enable you to set sail knowing that your boat is thermally secure.

On the other hand, if your surveyor looks over the boat and finds some delaminated areas, believe him (or her), have them fixed (or fix them yourself) and go sailing.