CottageGirl
New Member
Hello! We're new to this forum and are in the process of purchasing a 1999 480 Sedan Bridge.
We've had the out of water survey done and the surveyor found the following:
- elevated moisture at port & starboard quarters near exhaust ports, percussive soundings consistent with laminate delamination, core deterioriation
- portside mid portholes lower radius, percussive soundings consistent with core deterioration
- percussive soundings were consistent with laminate delamination aft of the bow rail aft stanchion
The moisture readings for the bottom of the boat were in the 20% range.
The seller's broker owns the same boat and says that these boats are known for moisture in the hulls and his surveyed with high moisture readings and he felt comfortable buying the boat. I've read about the balsa wood frames and that there have been some issues with them and moisture.
Other than the above (which could be a big deal), the boat is in great condition. It has Detroit Diesel engines with 700 hours and is a fresh water boat (great lakes) We are scheduled to put it in the water next week for sea trial and engine checks.
My questions are:
1. Can the moisture issue be fixed by resealing all points of possible intrusion? If you do that, does the moisture every dissipate or dry out?
2. Is there any way to fix the problem so it doesn't become a problem for us if we re-sell the boat years down the road?
3. At what point would moisture issues be a non-starter for buying a boat like this?
Thank you!
We've had the out of water survey done and the surveyor found the following:
- elevated moisture at port & starboard quarters near exhaust ports, percussive soundings consistent with laminate delamination, core deterioriation
- portside mid portholes lower radius, percussive soundings consistent with core deterioration
- percussive soundings were consistent with laminate delamination aft of the bow rail aft stanchion
The moisture readings for the bottom of the boat were in the 20% range.
The seller's broker owns the same boat and says that these boats are known for moisture in the hulls and his surveyed with high moisture readings and he felt comfortable buying the boat. I've read about the balsa wood frames and that there have been some issues with them and moisture.
Other than the above (which could be a big deal), the boat is in great condition. It has Detroit Diesel engines with 700 hours and is a fresh water boat (great lakes) We are scheduled to put it in the water next week for sea trial and engine checks.
My questions are:
1. Can the moisture issue be fixed by resealing all points of possible intrusion? If you do that, does the moisture every dissipate or dry out?
2. Is there any way to fix the problem so it doesn't become a problem for us if we re-sell the boat years down the road?
3. At what point would moisture issues be a non-starter for buying a boat like this?
Thank you!