Yes, sadly I am one of those people who purchased a boat without moisture meter in hand and went ahead with the purchase even though I noticed soft decks (but only in the areas underneath the ports). My ports are old and cracked, both in the window and the frame and I have only now just decided to spring for new Beckson ports, which have yet to be installed. Attempts at sealing the problem areas have helped but have not been completely satisfactory. When I do notice water inside the boat, it generally runs down the edges of the headliner, which extends down below the decks, and drips with the molasses colored water that signifies core rot. The areas that are soft are primarily behind the shrouds, about as far back as the trailing edge of the windows. There is some softness just in front of the shrouds, which can be seen peeking below the genny in the picture. There had been water leaking thru the chain plate assembly on the deck because it had been loose, until I sealed and tightened the deck assembly. The assembly that attaches to the bulkhead below the deck is solid and the bulkhead is in very good condition. What would be the best reference for deck repair? Is it something that can be done while the boat is in the water or is it only to be done while on the hard? If I do the deck in the area where the chain plate is attached, I assume that I should have the mast down. I had in mind to outline the soft areas (maybe 3 to 4 feet long for the width of the deck below the windows on both sides) and make a surface cut of the fiberglass top and the core with a small, battery operated circular saw, being careful to not go thru the bottom fiberglass layer, salvage the top fiberglass layer for re-use, remove the core, lay-up the new core and replace the top skin using epoxy to bond it to the new core. Then refill the outline where the saw cut was made for removal. Does this sound like a valid plan? All advise and references will be most welcome! 
