high moisture reading on 1997 3000 SCR stringers

[wipeout]

I'm contemplating the purchase of a 1997 Maxum SCR 3000. We just completed the dry portion of the Survey. Sea trial tomrrow. Substantially everything passed muster except one large item - the stringers were noted to have high moisture readings on them. They look fine in appearance and there is no visual signs of stress from the motor mounts, or blisters, puckering, etc. However, the surveyor has reccommended taking a core sample of each stringer to test the viability based on these readings. This means drilling a hole in them to see what's going on inside. There were no high moisture readings on any other part of the boat. Any comments from Maxum owners out there? This boat is in nice condition otherwise at a great price, with very light usage. How worried should I be?

Thanks

[racer2c]

I can't help you personally, but here are a few articles I've dug up in the net. Like the first article says, moisture readings can be difficult to interpet at best and unreliable at worst.

Moisture Meters on Boat Hulls:
Do They Produce Reliable Results?
By David Pascoe, Marine Surveyorhttp://www.yachtsurvey.com/moisture_meters.htm

The Use & Misuse of Moisture Meters = http://www.marinesurveyor.com/meters.html

Another forum said that their surveyer said anything under 17% is acceptable. That's heresay of course, but worth checking out what is an acceptable reading.

[seapuppy]

it really depends on the amount of moisture the meter is reading....but to be safe... a small drilled hole can be ok...doesn't take much to fill it and seal it up...so...to be safe...take the drill sample then seal it with epoxy....

good luck.....