I'm new to the sailing world, my husband sailed for many years with friends, but we never owned a boat before. We just started looking this summer and fell in love with a 1995 Catalina MKII. We agreed on a price, and had a delightful sea trial. I love everything about the boat.
Today we had a professional surveyor check the boat. With the boat pulled out of the water, there were a few blisters found. The moisture reading on the hull was too high on the outside, so the surveyor climbed back inside to check. He confirmed the moisture reading were high at several spots on the hull. The moisture reading on the deck was also higher than usual, though not as high as the hull. My husband brought moisture reader with him, and read similar results on the deck.
Now I'm concerned and are considering backout of the deal. Before I do that, I would like to ask the members here, how bad is this moisture problem in the hull? Does this mean this boat is on its way out?
Sounds like a case of osmosis. To fix is expensive but achievable. It should be factored into the purchase price if you still wish to continue. There is plenty of information on the web. eg.https://www.boatsurveyor.net/boat-surveyor-osmosis-explained/
All the best with yoyr decision. You already made a great decision to have the survey!
Moisture meters on a solid laminate boat can be tricky. There is a difference between osmois and satureated wet laminate. In my untrained opinon it is unlikely that your hull is saturated. If it was me I’d call Alison Mazon in Portland Ore. and ask for a 30 minute consultation. You may have another qualified or reccomended survyor in your area, but if you like the boat get some advice from another qualifed profeshional. Again, in my opinion it is rare for a surveyor to used a moisture Meter on this type of hull during a typical hang and haul survey. It is common for a surveyor to sound your deck, hull, and rudder.
Catalina uses aluminum plates in the deck as support for some deck hardware. These reek havoc with a moisutre meter and show up as wet areas.
Good luck and I hope you find a great boat.
http://www.pcmarinesurveys.com/Osmosis%20testing.htm
http://www.pcmarinesurveys.com/Moisture%20meter%20mythology.htm
Ray & Janice Taylor
"Mizu"
Hood River, Ore.
#2113 2002 TM