How Would You Check Moisture In The Transom? What Sings Would You See?

The people I have talked to on here have either found it with a moisture meter or by having the transom assembly off. I would think if it was in its advanced stages you be able to see flex in the transom by rocking the drive.

A moisture meter is about the only way to know conclusively. Any licensed marine surveyor will have one and should come out and check your's for a nominal fee.

Did you know you can lay a moisture meter on a block of ice and it will give you a no wet reading. There is a little more to moisture meters. I agree with ThruHulls coment, shake it bring a rubber hammer and tap on it you can tell from the sound if any loose laminate.
http://www.bluestarsurveys.co.uk/sovguide.pdf

Thanks for the link vector, I learned something new tonight.

I didn't mean to imply that the moisture meter was the only thing you should use but it's the only way to know if there is truly any moisture in the core..... Once you find moisture you then have to consider the environment to see if that moisture means something is wrong or not. All boats retain moisture at some point under certain conditions, that doesn't mean they are broken or defective.

Example, I just bought an older Donzi Classic that showed some high moisture readings at the base of the transom around where the drain hole is. The boat had been sitting on a lift at such an angle that the water would not completely drain from the bilge so it was impossible to get a reading that wasn't thrown off by the wicking effect of the gel. From the outside it was basically dry and using your ears and a hard tap from a plastic hammer (harder than a rubber mallet but easier on the gel than a steel ball peen) you could tell the transom was solid. Shaking the drive, standing on the drive, etc. showed zero movement. Bottom line, I bought the boat even with a high meter reading and once it was drained and dried it was not an issue.

All good Advice i did the same (with out the reader) when i bough mine. Cant say ive even been happier i love my Tbred