Thermal Imaging

[Novation]

A local company is advertising thermal imaging of boats as a way to spot potential problems -- electrical hot spots (power cords, hot circuits), water intrusion, engine issues, etc..

I don't know the cost yet, but I'm intrigued by the idea of using this to spot "near-future" problems. The company will have a display at our boat show in February, so I will find out more information and the cost.

Anyone used such a service for their boat? Would it be worthwhile, assuming a reasonable cost?

 

[fwebster]

I've seen it done one time on a 2000 370EC hull and was not impressed. The resuts were essentially unuseable because it gave us so may indications of hull moisture that you could only call the outcome "false positives".

We did drill the hull in several spots that showed the worst results and can only guess that the imaging operator was seeing either osmotic blistering in the surface or thick bottom paint........we had to assume because the operator danged sure had no clue.....we found absolutely nothing but a build up of paint.

As far as cost is concerned, I have no clue since we didn't pay for the service. We accomodated the seller (a Sea Ray dealer considering buying the equipment or using the imaging service) in allowing the test on the boat we were surveying.

 

[fc3]

Maybe in a laboratory, with specially prepared samples, this might work, but in the real world, on a real boat, no way. Too many variables, glass thickness, paint thickness. gel condition, solar heating, reflected light, etc.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[Novation]

Thanks for the input.

 

[Ryan]

It was done on one of my previous boats, all that came out of it was false positives. :smt021