Catalina 30 - Moisture Meter Readings

[sean0965]

Hello All,

Had a survey done today on a Catalina 30 I'm interested in buying. The surveyor found high moisture readings in a large number of spots on the deck. The hull was fine. There was no indication of core rot or delamination according to the surveyor. The mast step has signs of compression or crazing which would indicate deteriorating core.

The rest of the boat was solid and well maintained and updated. Do moisture readings forcast certain doom for the deck? There was no indication of core rot (delamination or sponginess). Does anyone know how quickly the deck can go bad based on high moisture readings.

 

[Bad Obsession]

If there is a sign of an issue at the compression post than this could be an issue you don't want to deal with unless the price is right. You are going to have to drop the rig and clean out the damaged core, fill with epoxy, and go from there. MKII has a metal support and I believe that MKI was not metal but wood so that is something to look at.

Be careful and keep looking around. Catalina 30s are very popular and you should be able to find one right for you if this one isn't right.

 

[Maine Sail]

Hello All,

Had a survey done today on a Catalina 30 I'm interested in buying. The surveyor found high moisture readings in a large number of spots on the deck. The hull was fine. There was no indication of core rot or delamination according to the surveyor. The mast step has signs of compression or crazing which would indicate deteriorating core.

The rest of the boat was solid and well maintained and updated. Do moisture readings forcast certain doom for the deck? There was no indication of core rot (delamination or sponginess). Does anyone know how quickly the deck can go bad based on high moisture readings.

Sean,

When you say "high" how high were Tony's readings, and where? When you get the survey report from Tony he will map out the deck and hopefully put the corresponding meter values. Was he using his JR Overseas meter (off white) or his black one?

Most all boats will exhibit some moisture at that age. It becomes more a matter of where, and how high..

If there is no more moisture getting in, and it is damp, not wet, the deck can still remain strong for a long while. If water ingress is still taking place it will obviously still continue to worsen.

Sent you a PM..