how dry is dry?

[JESTER458]

so im looking to redo the bottom on a 24' allegra and im trying to figure out how dry it needs to be before i can a barrier coat to the hull. the boat has been out of the water for about 4 years but it has been stored outside the whole time. since im in florida is it possible that the rain and humidity is enough moisture to cause problems?

[JimHawkins]

Is the bilge dry? If not, the hull probably isn't either.
Get a moisture meter, learn how to use it, and measure the moisture content.

[k1vsk]

Assuming no water has been allowed to accumulate inside the hull, it is likely as dry as you'll ever get it. You could use a moisture meter but it can be quite misleading, particularly if you don't know how to use it properly and have no prior reading with which to compare current results, many lack any ability to reproduce results and generally it is a wasteful expense esp if you only need it once.

A much more reasonable approach in your case is simply tape a one ft square piece of plastic tightly at a few places on the bottom, wait a couple of (dry) days and see if any condensation accumulates between the plastic and the hull.

If not, no problem.

[JESTER458]

ok thanks!