Id have the moisture test redone by different surveyor and machine and see if they match,

Any person that uses instruments to determine the health and safety of a machine needs to know the limiting factors of said instrument.

Garbage in = Garbage out

In this case, it's causing a very large issue and potential financial burden.

I agree, second opinion to verify is a good idea. Then maybe a third one if the first two are far apart. In general selling anything is a PIA. Good luck.

Guys,
is possible the boat is just that,wet!? It is what it is and it wouldn't be the first Fountain that's wet,

we don't even know who the surveyor is or his experience, but we are assuming he is not qualified and meter is inaccurate?
I guess it's possible but I owned Fountains before and been around the fountain forums and it is not unheard of for fountains to be wet

Totally plausible for any organic materials to be wet in any hull. I don't think anyone is really denying that despite the focus otherwise. This seems to have taken the focus of the inaccurate moisture meters, and their correct use/limitations.

FWIW, I have the same ExTech meter that a lot of boat shops use and the only way to get an accurate reading is I have a piece of untreated 2X4 that has been on a shelf in my shop just for this. It has been "dry" for 15 year meaning it has never been in the weather or on concrete, sits free air on a rack. I calibrate "zero" my meter on that piece of wood before testing anything for moisture. Depending on the humidity, if I zero my meter to to atmospheric air, it will vary from 9-13% and it is super dry. Now, after zeroing my meter at the time of use to that dry wood, anything above that I deem as added moisture. Now a wet boat doesn't mean a rotted boat. My Sunsation was reading 34% when I did the transom and it was rock solid but wet wood. I coulda rocked it for years and likely did prior to that before noticing signs that it was wet. Not sure if this helps but something to think about.

^^^Very good point. Coming from a calibration business for 37 +years, it makes perfect sense to set a zero reference prior to using any meter to measure almost anything. The expensive meters, both electrical and mechanical, if miss handled can lose their reference point. Reputable surveyors will use expensive, accurate meters, but they likely need to be calibrated and re-calibrated on a specific schedule.

you are correct, but they do take that into account. That's why they are not looking for a reading of zero. They are looking for a reading of 20% and above as they consider 20% and below to be dry, and my statement is in regards of using the correct meter a marine meter not the junk you buy at the home centers those are garbage
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...51498b68d.jpeg

Some wood can survive a long time if it's wet. The better quality the wood, the longer it will hold up even if wet. You can dry out some woods. You could have wet wood that still shows well in a hammer/knock test and that wet wood could last years without rotting. Unless they find rotten wood, I wouldn't discount the price of the boat on account of the moisture reading.

I hear what you're saying, but if you were the buyer, I'm sure you would think differently