J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Moisture Issue

I'm considering buying a particular boat that the broker tells me may have a moisture problem. He said when a moister meter was run across the hull there is at least one place that it "pinned the meter". However, a core sample proved to be dry. What gives here? Is it possible that something was applied to the hull that triggers the moisture meter?

I can't really speak to the opeartion of a moisture meter. However, if I was looking at a 20 yo balsa cored boat that had one spot that was damp, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! Repairing that spot should be pretty easy.

A moisture meter pegs at a pretty low level. I bought a 1979 J-30 with a significant wet core problem. The moisture meter I have (Sovereign Skipper) pegs pretty much everywhere on the starboard side of the hull, but the core samples I pulled above the waterline were light and fairly dry. Lower on the hull there was significant moisture.

The best test is to pull a sample and see how much moisture can be squeezed out in a vice. If the core is light in color and water doesn't squeeze out you probaby don't have a serious issue, if its dis-colored and water squeezes out you have a core problem and should negotiate the price accordingly. In any event you will need to locate the source and stop the water intrusion.

Also, the water will migrate down in the hull so take the core sample as low as possible.

D.Bartley and Phil, thanks for you input.

Can anyone tell me generally what it costs to have a 1 sq.foot area of balsa core replaced?

I'm drowning here at the Annapolis boat show...and ran into Rod Johnstone... I asked him about this moisture situation and he said we have to remember that balsa core has an inherent moisture content...as much as 30%... and if you suck all of it out (as has been done in some J24s) its called cheating... "the new tehnology in lay up causes the newer boats to be much lighter/dryer... but with the J24/30 the balsa core was just pushed into the epoxy..."
Hes also looking in his garage for drawings of the rudder metal...since rigrite burned and no longer has them. If anyone has a set it would save us all a headache..?

Speaking of Balsa Core, can anyone tell me where I can get some balsa core. I lost a part of my deck in Hurricane Katrina.

Thanks
Neil
(504)908-6345

Just do a Google search for "balsa core material". There are several suppliers. You should expect to pay $25 - $30 for a piece of 3/4" X 2' X 4'. I purchased some from a place in WA. They were fast and helpfull on the phone. If you were in Alaska I would be glad to give you my leftovers from the project last summer!

The link for the supplier I used is:
http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Core_Materials/core_materials.html

I have just dropped my boat (Hull 25) off at Annapolis Gelcoat and am waiting on quotes for solving my wet core problem. I went over the boat with Steve at Annapolis Gelcoat and my situation looks pretty severe. A section of about 3' X 5' has delaminated and the core will need to be replace (about $3,500), the while starboard side below the waterline is showing high moisture content and his is uggesting peeling the gel coat, drying out the core as much as possible with heat and vacuum, and then re-gel coating and barrier coating. I will probably have both sides peeled and re-done since the cost to do both sides isn't significantly higher than the cost to do one, but will only heat/vacuum dry the starboard. This process is probably going to run about $9,000.

Phil, which boat is it?