Just fyi, I've checked many boats with a moisture meter. I have never found one with a wooden transom that didn't read some moisture in the bottom part of the transom. Doesn't mean it is rotten. Wood always absorbs some moisture.


Bob Lloyd
Full Throttle Marine

What were the moisture percentages?????

75-80%

buy a brand new piece of wood that was stored inside, put moisture meter on it and it will read anywhere from 30 to 50%... so if that is the reading you have... not a problem !75-80... not perfect but probably good for many years to come!

I once put the meter on 2or 3 very recent baja and the redings were similar to yours... 1 or 2 years old boat... not rotten for that reason!

Moisture in transom
 

The moisture meter is a great tool that I use most every day to do marine surveys. It can also be one of the most misused tools in a marine surveyors bag. In this case I would measure with the moisture meter and sound with a phenolic hammer inside the transom around all components that have fasteners that penetrate the transom. For a better understanding of moisture meters review this article that is written by a marine surveyor who I have the utmost repsect for. http://www.marinesurveyor.com/meters.html

they used sounding hammers for many years before the meters....

Moisture in transom
 

The moisture meter is a great tool that I use most every day to do marine surveys. It can also be one of the most misused tools in a marine surveyors bag. In this case I would measure with the moisture meter and sound with a phenolic hammer inside the transom around all components that have fasteners that penetrate the transom. For a better understanding of moisture meters review this article that is written by a marine surveyor who I have the utmost repsect for. http://www.marinesurveyor.com/meters.html

thanks all maybe is not that bad.

Check real close around those trim tab screws.

As said, all you need is a small tap hammer. Tap around your transom all over and you'll be able to tell if you have a problem by the sound it makes. You can do it from the outside, but usually the skin on the inside is thinner and it will be easier to tell.


Take note of the black areas in these pics, usual places for water ingress and rot:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/2795998-post30.html