1976 30ft searay weekender , moisture

dave 1750

New Member
Dec 31, 2010
48
marblehead
Boat Info
1976 30 ft weekender
Engines
twin 351 's
hello , love this site ! i've wanted a searay for awhile now , looking at 1976 30ft weekender . all round good shape nice clean interior , but serveyer said i found some areas with 20% moisture on boat an tramson , but tramson was intact an boat had no blisters. an say this not unusual for 35 yr old boat . an it pass . any thoughts . need advice. thanks dave
 
hello , love this site ! i've wanted a searay for awhile now , looking at 1976 30ft weekender . all round good shape nice clean interior , but serveyer said i found some areas with 20% moisture on boat an tramson , but tramson was intact an boat had no blisters. an say this not unusual for 35 yr old boat . an it pass . any thoughts . need advice. thanks dave
Is the boat a inboard model? chances are it will not matter much. If it is a stern drive model than a very close investigation would be prudent.
 
20% moisture content is getting up there, but not terrible yet. It may actually be worse or better than the meter is detecting. Keep in mind, the moisture meter will check high if you check it through antifoulant paint. Moisture meters read high when metal is present. Hopefully the surveyor checked the transom from the inside and not near mounting points. Check the stringers where the engines mount. If you can, drill a small hole and pull the wood out and investigate. If it comes out like wet powder, the stringers are shot and need to be rebuilt and the transom will be shot too along with any connecting supports.

How much are they asking?

Chances are that water weeped in below the water line at mounting points in the transom. If you can get the boat cheap, then you can put the extra $$ into rebuilding and have a better boat for it. You better get her pretty cheap though. I'm going through and rebuilding mine right now. It's not too bad of a job, but it is time consuming and can get expensive.

Blisters and wet stringers/transom are two completely separate issues. Niether are good, but I would much rather deal with wet wood than blistering. Blistering means water intrusion in the skin of the hull and delamination of the foundation of the boat. Both can be fixed however, but I just don't like blistering. It means a sub standard layup of the main hull.

Me personally, If I could get the boat cheap and the engine mounting stringers were ok, then I would tear the stuff off the transom, let it dry as best you can, then fix the mounting points with West Systems methods to prevent future water intrusion. Maybe even pop a few extra holes in the transom and let it dry by a heater for a while. Schmooey it back up with West Systems, barrier coat the transom/hull and enjoy the boat!
 
Last edited:
far as price , swapping my 1988 23 ft for his boat , i understand i need to invest some $$$ in this boat but was wanting to get this season in , then next fall have what needs done over winter months . i love the older weekenders , fitts me perfect .
 
I'm guessing here, but your 1988 23ftr is probably worth around $8K in good condition. That sounds like a good deal to me if you are ready to move into a boat that big. I'm sure you have already considered increased operating costs, storage, dockage and maintenance......

It sounds to me like the boat should get you at the very least through this season without any issues.
 
If the motors check out I would go for it. THere is one available near me for 11 grand in good shape. Sounds like you have a fair deal.
 
the inspecting also said tramson seem intact inside boat moisture dry , even with 20% readings . i look all over your forium trying to make sense of findings , but i want this boat willing to spend $$$ to getter back to new. yes have just a little over 8,000 in my boat.
 
plus already have dock an storage for boat , figure in maint. two motors ( hrs on motors 464 ) an anything on this forum , which i'll says very helpfully thank you all very much. cost amount will go up compare to 23 ft on trl. but its in what you want.
 
I'd say go for it! The wide beam of that era weekender along its great engine accessability and heavy construction makes for a comfortable cruiser that is good for a do-it-your-self'r to lovingly bring back to pristine condition!
 
20 percent moisture on a 35 year old boat?I would not be that concerned at this point.was it the whole transom or just some areas.If it were only some areas would be much easier to fix.you may be able to drill some holes and dry it out even.I would say go for it as long as the engines check out good.
 
i was told by surveyer it was real nice boat , an most likely wouldn't need to worry about anything for long time . that was a solid boat. but it does'nt hurt to keep an eye on things. after having a 23 ft it was awesome once i step on her , shes hugh !
 
Dave i was wondering if you got the boat and if so if you have any pics i have a 77 on lake erie i run my boat out of vermilion.
 
I just purchased this boat in june of this year and sadly i had pulled both motors for rebuilds this year they were a little tired but the boat was very well taken care of.
 
Dave, All of the classics will definitely have moisture in one place or another. Unfortunately water gets in through poorly installed drains in the stringers, poorly sealed trim tabs, swim plaform support and misc. hardware. My point is that these boats can have extemely high moisture readings and still be sound. If you get a really good deal. Id buy it. I have friend with a 32 welcraft that had high moisture in the stringers, and the surveyor said that it will probably outlast him. That was 10 years ago. Are the stringers perfect and dry..... No, but he has been and is having a great time with it. It will probably be aroud when he is gone.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,878
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top