Hunter 43

[Charles L. Smithson]

I am purchasing a 1992 Hunter Legend 43. Survey was pretty clean except surveyor found high moisture with his meter on the starboard deck abaft of the

 

[Charles L. Smithson]

Continued (I hit the Tab key when I shouldn't have

...just abaft of the two pulley blocks which guide the roller furling lines from the anchor locker down the deck. Surveyor thinks the screws holding the blocks go into the encapsulated wood in the deck and moisture has been wicking in. He suggests having the screw holes enlarged and filled with epoxy to seal the wood, redrilling holes in the epoxy and reinstalling block. Use same technique for the next stancheon abaft the block. There is no softness in deck. This is preventive maintenance to avoid long term degradation. I would welcome comments from anyone on detected moisture and any comments from Hunter 43 owners on the boat. There is only one review in the forum, and it is very favorable. I have paid for a survey but have not yet closed the deal.

 

[Bob E.]

Moisture meters

You would probably find the article on moisture meters in the July 15, 1999 issue of Practical Sailor interesting and useful.

 

[Charles L. Smithson]

Practical Sailor

Web subscription is $19.95. Local library closed Sunday. Could I have a hint of article contents? Are moisture readings suspect? Thanks.

 

[Bob E.]

Practical summary

Pactical Sailor tested 5 brands of mositure meters and surveyed 94 surveyors. Conculsions about moisture meter readings are (1) Most moisture meters are difficult to use (interpret) and generally not too accurate. The brand they found works best is Tramex. (2) Many surveyors don't really understand all the gotchas and limitations of moisture meter readings. (3) At best, a high moisture reading should be taken as a clue for further investigation, not proof of a problem. Readings are more useful if a known dry area is compared with the unknown area, so a relative comparison can be made. A liberal dose of common sense is also helpful. In your case, what the surveyor said sounds quite reasonable. Its when a yard recommends a $10,000 hull striping that you need to be most careful.Hope this helps.

 

[Rex Noel]

Similar situation

I closed on a 1993 H43 just 2.5 weeks ago. In my survey, we found an area of high moisture in the deck, on the coachroof, just to starboard of the solar panel. Our conclusion is that the wire from the solar panel, where it penetrates the deck, is wicking water into the core. My surveyor's solution is the same... stop the water infiltration, and don't worry about it any more.On my boat, the area involved is about 1.5 square feet, and does not bear any heavy loads. It is forward of the traveler, inboard of the hand rail, and isn't of structural concern. Hence, the recommendation to leave it alone.