Moisture Meters

[Old Vet]

Anyone have any idea what type of moisture meters surveyors use?

I'm actually toying with buying one...I'm a bit of a tool/toy/gadget nut :grin:

However...in looking at them and reading about them.....I'm wondering......

Does a surveyor perhaps drill a couple little holes through the fibreglass layer on a transom for instance.....in order to get the meter's probes actually into the wood?

If not...then how is moisture content in the wood in the transom measured?

 

[Carver370]

Non invasive moisture meter. The tool of choice for the guys at least around here is a Tramex Skipper.

 

[Old Vet]

Yeah I looked at that Tramex unit....$$$$$ YIKES!

Probably very good for those in the industry using it all the time. A little overkill for my needs probably.

Curious though.....EVERY one....all makes and models...I look at talk about use on multiple types of wood, drywall etc.....but not one mentions anything about shooting a signal through something like fibreglass to get a reading of the wood inside. :huh:

Being a layman knowing virtually nothing about the procedure....I'd almost be inclined to perhaps drill a few very small holes in the inside of the transom and use a meter with pins to get directly at the wood...then epoxy the holes over.

 

[Jaws]

Electrophysics model GRP33. Very reliable.

 

[Ricochet]

J.R. Overseas Co, available from Jamestown Distributors.com

 

[copb8tx]

I'd almost be inclined to perhaps drill a few very small holes in the inside of the transom and use a meter with pins to get directly at the wood...then epoxy the holes over.

Am I the only one here that feels this would be a horrible idea?

If I were that concerned about my hull I'd pay a professional that owned one of these meters to do the reading for me. Have to come out cheaper than buying the tool.

If I was just curious (or slightly suspicious) I'd tap around the area with a mallet to hear for any dull spots and then make a decision.

I'm just never a fan of drilling a hole when it isn't absolutely necessary, especially below the waterline.

 

[Petep]

Electrophysics model GRP33. Very reliable.

That's the one I have, along with a good "dead-blow" hammer for soundings. DON'T Drill a hole in my boat....then plug it with epoxy!

 

[gregkjones]

Do you really want to know if there is moisture in those stringers? There might be a small amount that will be detected that will never present a problem in your lifetime but the finding WILL when you never sleep a sound night again. Unless there is a solid plan of action to fix the problem if found, I would just keep the bilge dry and enjoy the boat. This test reminds me of the oil "SOAP" tests. I know alot of people here do them, but when you get a reading of high copper, do you tear the engine down to investigate? No. Instead, every time you use the boat you worry that you are going to lose a bearing. Now if you find high copper and you plan to teardown that is one thing but again, nobody does. It just adds to the worry for something that will probably never be an issue. You could go on like that all day and night with boats; everything on them might break or be leaking or corroding or wearing. It will drive you crazy if you really think about it too much. At the end of the day our boats will probably outlive us the way we (on this forum) take care of them.

 

[Old Vet]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Vet
I'd almost be inclined to perhaps drill a few very small holes in the inside of the transom and use a meter with pins to get directly at the wood...then epoxy the holes over.

"Am I the only one here that feels this would be a horrible idea?"

:smt043

" I'd tap around the area with a mallet to hear for any dull spots and then make a decision."

I had my transom inspected last fall by a guy who rebuilds transoms here and he was quite surprised and impressed by how good it looks. And how in general, my engine compartment is almost pristine. He thought it had to have been redone somewhat recently.... but the PO who had the boat for 10 years says nope. So I felt pretty good about that.

As for my thought of drilling holes....I was talking about inside the boat.....and very small...just enough to accomodate the probes of a moisture meter. I surely can't see that doing any harm....however.....I'm not. :grin:

So rest easy copb8tx.....no unnecessary holes going anywhere in my boat. :thumbsup:

That's just what happens when waiting for decent weather to get at the boat....too many things to think about purely out of boredom. :lol:

And not having a good understanding of the technology behind the non invasive meters.

I've since located some non invasive moisture meters and may buy one just to have on hand. :huh:

 

[copb8tx]

So rest easy copb8tx.....no unnecessary holes going anywhere in my boat.

Excellent. My work here is done. :smt001