Ok ok cafes had issue with stringer rot due to steering Rams being bolted to them. In my years on here haven't seen too many other issues. I could be wrong.

Also note my original qoute...All boats will rot if they are neglected. (I.e. Left outside, uncovered, etc)

There have been plenty of rotten cigs. I know pier 57 did several and showed the process back some time ago. I'd say the biggest difference is
1) the number of cigs, vs. fountain, baja, others.
2) The typical cig buyer is usually older and not big on social media/OSO.
3)General price point requires a "stronger buyer" who can afford to deal with buy writing a check vs. being on forums and asking questions.

That said, I do not believe the fit and finish of a fountain is on par with a cig. But I feel you get more bang for your buck.

I just purchased a 2004 35 Exec. Previous owner had a survey done approx. 1 year ago which included hull sounding and everything checked out ok. How reliable is this method? I have had many surveys with soundings on my previous boats with no issues but I am fairly new to the performance boat game having only owned a 292 Fastech prior to the Fountain so I am not familiar with the builder specific areas of concern on these types of boats. Given the clean survey, would one assume that if I pulled the tips and everything was dry & well sealed I could stop there and sleep well or would you delve further into the physical inspection process? As several have stated here this is a real worry!

some say hull sounding is better than using a moisture meter,
all wood holds some moisture ,but a experienced person can tell a lot more doing a hull sounding/tap test than using a moisture meter,

Maybe a dumb question but here goes. I have used a moisture meter to check lumber but how do you use it on a boat? On lumber you have a meter with two sharp prongs and you slam the prongs into the piece of wood and read the moisture content. Obviously this will not work on a boat as you have gell and and glass covering the boat.

Padraig

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/moisture_meter

good read, thanks

THANKS!!!!

Very informative.

Padraig

I bought my boat fall of 2011 and it is still my first power boat. The previous owner had injector tests done, and upon my request he had a compression and leak down test performed on the engine which I was happy with. Shame on me for not having a full survey done, I thought it was safe to assume it was water free. The boat was always kept in a garage and never left in the water for any length of time and now knowing what kind of job fountain did on anything they drilled/ cut on the transom I can easily see how the best cared for boats still have water intrusion. I would like to know, generally speaking, also how reliable a full "survey" is. I've read other cases here on OSO that the surveyor isn't liable for anything they miss, and you might as well wipe your ass with it. I know they can be as much as a $1000, so you would think they should be reliable.

[QUOTE=29Fever01;4451919]I bought my boat fall of 2011 and it is still my first power boat..


Don't beat yourself up over this, chit does happen. Bought my Velocity new and had the entire transom chit out due to poor sealing. It can happen to any of us. From what I can gather here I would think Jason Saris is doing the fix, lots of good things said by many people about his talents. You are in good hands.