surveying hulls

[xort]

If a boat is stored indoors all winter (heated) can a surveyor get an accurate read on the condition/moisture content of the hull?
Seems the 5 months in warm dry storage would dry out a moist hull giving a false impression of the condition. Drop the boat in the water and it could soon sponge up water anew.

[PBzeer]

Even if the moisture has dried, the hull still isn't going to be solid, because the core, though dry, is no longer solid. A good surveyor will notice.

[CrazyRu]

Originally Posted by PBzeer

Even if the moisture has dried, the hull still isn't going to be solid, because the core, though dry, is no longer solid. A good surveyor will notice.

It may or may not be solid. Unless there is a rot or delamination inner core can dry out completely with out any structural damage.

[rperret]

likely the surveyor will sound the hull with the proverbial plastic hammer to look for dull sounding spots - in addition to a moisture meter.

[sailingdog]

Xort-

Even if the boat is stored in heated winter storage, the water takes a very long time to evaporate out, given that it can't migrate through the fiberglass and it would only dry out a tiny bit at the points it leaks into the core....with the bulk of the moisture taking much longer to dry. That's why they peel the hull to dry out laminate.