Transom moisture test
 

What is involved in a transom moisture test?

You can buy a moisture meter or get a surveyor to check it out for you. I don't know about the quality or price, I'm sure there's good and bad one's on the market.

Cheap way, get a smallish hammer, wrap a layer of cloth over the head and gently tap it all over the transom. You'll hear the difference between a sharp knock (dry) and a dull thud (wet). Most suspect areas are around any thru-hull fittings where moisture could get in, exhaust tips, sterndrive, trim tabs, steering fittings, ski hooks etc.

RR

Thank for the information. It was very informative.

I am a fan of Rak Ruas method and it has never lied to me, and have used it 100’s of times.
On the other hand, I have heard numerous times of a moisture meter/operator being wrong.

I like bringing some 4200 and a small drill bit. If the boat is solid all the wood will come out blond, and can fill holes back up. Many times the owner will not allow this, is just my way to verify. Have not found a moisture meter (not saying there isn't one) that can read thru fiber glass with good accuracy

Ask the guy that owns the boat if you can use a Phillips screw drive on the lower portion of the transom and stringers. Tell them your going to push real hard. If its not wet the screw driver will do nothing, if its wet it will penetrate or crack.

I have a broker/friend who won’t take a listing if they won’t let him drill a hole on inside of transom.

He then tells clients what the wood looked like that was drilled out.

I looked at one where his drilling’s were wet but not rotted.
interesting.....

Old timer trick is a thick base bottom spark plug socket. Rap the glass in a semi fast motion and you will hear the nice sharp clean pings for the good spots and for any bad spots and or hollow spots will be dull thump sounding.

Been doing that for 40 years now - you have to have somewhat a good ear for it as well . Kind of like a mechanic listening for bad noises from a running engine to pin point issues.

The issue with the drill bit is if you drill into an air void - the bit comes out clean fooling you thinking its a good spot.

so what do they do about filling the holes and how bid are they
big

If you go this route an 1/8" bit is plenty and vet syringes are available locally and just fill in slowly to avoid air pockets and just tape over til hardened. Not a big deal but like Bup said a socket/ball pean hammer and little common sense goes a long way. Just need an ear for it.

Buy a Tramex Skipper plus, that and a hammer or a good plastic handed bigger screw drive or chisel . Saved me from 5 wet boats this year.