Selling a boat and Survey came back with high moisture
#12
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From: BC
Garbage in = Garbage out
In this case, it's causing a very large issue and potential financial burden.
#13
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cudjoe Key FL
#14
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: IL
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
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
Last edited by boatnt; 09-28-2025 at 02:26 PM.
#15
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 411
From: BC
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
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
#16
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 155
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From: Midland, MI
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.
#17
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Lake Ozark, MO USA
^^^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.
#18
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: IL
^^^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.

#19
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,473
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From: Mansfield, TX
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.
#20
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: IL
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.



