I agree with Andy's response. The tapping around areas of concern will give strong indication of issues if any with the laminate and / or core.
We are 1.5 years into a deck restoration on Calypso (hull #1 of the 43's launched in January 1970 from Bruckmann's custom yard). We have explored all sorts of water intrusion issues with tapping, drilling holes, grinding out layers, and long ago a moisture meter. The moisture meter had a low correlation to water issues, especially in locating an exact spot of excess moisture. Tapping seems to be very accurate. I have heard of moisture meters reading excess moisture in the bottom paint more than moisture in the laminate. Tapping around hull stress points (keel stub and prop strut), hull penetrations (thru hulls etc.), and a close examination of the inside keel bolt areas and mast step area may be able to confirm the condition of the boat's structure. If the deck is cored, have the surveyor tap around the hardware and rigging deck penetrations. We found most of Calypso's failed balsa core under halyard blocks and around the mast collar. To be fair, this 43 has been raced hard every year of its life on both coasts and the Great Lakes. As a race boat most of the deck hardware had been moved several times and much maintenance was deferred. Fortunately repair of balsa cored decks is straight forward with basic epoxy skills but it is a little messy. If the boat has been well maintained, was not sunk or stored with lots of water inside and is a fresh water boat, the moisture meter reading should not be your defining issue. I expect a well maintained C&C 33 hull will outlast your ownership long enough to be another sailor's first C&C. Martin Calypso 1971 C&C 43 Seattle ________________________________ From: CnC-List [cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] on behalf of andrew rothweiler via CnC-List [cnc-list@cnc-list.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 6:35 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Stus-List questions from potential buyer Hello all, I've found a mid 70s C&C 33-1 that I'm interested in buying. One thing the survey indicated was elevated moisture levels, into the yellow on the meter, in the bottom. The owner had the bottom epoxy barrier coated about 8 years ago, and the bottom paint was new last year. There were no blisters present at the survey, and the owner has said there have never been any- he has owned the boat for 30+ years. The boat has been on the Great Lakes from new, and based on the condition of the boat, especially compared to all the boats I have looked at, I would say the boat has had an attentive, conscientious owner. My question is whether elevated moisture in several areas of the bottom of a solid fiberglass hull should be a deal breaker or a matter of concern. The surveyor told me that he would not be concerned, and that if I was I should buy a new boat (hah! not happening). Do you agree with the surveyor's lack of concern about some level of moisture in the bottom of a solid glass hull of a 40 year old boat? Many thanks in advance for advice. My search for a boat has lasted a couple of years now, has included a big learning curve, and has focused on C&Cs, in large part because of the valuable information and assistance available on this site from the members. Thanks again.
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