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Joined: Jan 2009
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A boat isn't going to get a wet core from just sitting in the water. Osmosis isn't going to penetrate the laminate through to the core. It is possible that huge blister, left untreated, might cause a problem, but you wouldn't have to strip the bottom to see that.

If the core is wet, the water is getting in somewhere. For the hull on a J30, it's almost certain to be the exhaust and bilge outlets or the gudgeon bolts. If you have a sound transom, then you're probably fine.

If there is core damage elsewhere, it is likely the result of damage from grounding (around the keel), a collision or dock damage at the hull/deck joint, or the result of poorly installed hardware (like a swim ladder bracket for example).

Percussion testing can tell you a lot about the quality of the core and, unless you know how to really use one, can even be more informative than a moisture meter.

If you are dealing with wet core in an area larger than, say, a few square feet, you're going to make a significant investment in the repair: in time and money.

In short, the boat's age and the fact that it's been wet stored is not, by itself, a cause for concern. The poor effort by J/Boats to protect the core and the subsequent years that have created opportunities for owners to drill a lot of unisolated holes in the boat are much bigger causes of concern.

Last edited by Rambunctious; 03/11/10 05:37 PM.
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Dan

My GE protimeter was about $380 3-4 years ago. My girlfriend (who is a surveyor) has a GRP 33 that was about $300 5 years ago. She perfers the GE because of digital readout, sound and size.


John
Madcap 358
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 156
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Originally Posted by lakesailor
Originally Posted by jhoskins
Not all J30s have wet hulls. I am lucky, when I bought Madcap I bought a GE protimeter to meter the hull and deck. The hull is completely dry. Prior owners have barrier coated the bottom with VC Tar and that probablly helped.

I do have a couple wet areas in the deck, but I have just stopped the water infiltation and monitor the spots with my meter. Also I drilled several breather holes from the inside to help dry out the spots. They do dry out over a long period of time. And fresh water dries better than salt. ALL old boats will have moisture issues. It is just a matter of the extent and how to deal with it.

Good luck on your search. The J30 is a great boat.


If I do decide on buying this boat I would obviously hope that after removing who knows how much bottom paint that things below the waterline were not all that bad....I like the idea of being a wishful thinker, just not certain if that is realistic or not.
Originally Posted by lakesailor
Originally Posted by R II
Here in the Pacific Northwest we keep our boats in the water year around. That means my 1983 model has been floating for about 27 years. I had to recore a portion of the bottom in 2006 from a leak at the top of the bilge that was not completely sealed when built. It was not that bad, but the moisture meter readings concerned me and I could not determine where the water was coming from until we tore into it. The rest of the boat is solid and mostly dry except a couple of deck areas where hardware was not seated properly.
Bottom line is these are solidly built boats that if properly maintained will hold up very well. There will likely be some wet areas, but unless it is excessive, the boat would still be more sturdy than a lot of other boats on the market. Sounds like the surveyor is trying to rip you off a bit. Any boat will need to be checked for wet areas. Use the information from the survey to negotiate a price you can live with and go for it. If the rest of the boat looks and works well that is. If the boat is well maintained you can usually see it in the cabin, motor, running gear and standing gear. If any of those areas are neglected, then the rest of the boat is probably the same.
Just some thoughts from a happy J30 owner. Hope you will be one too.


That is basically the challenge with J/30 I have located. It has been hugely neglected for a very,very long period time. In fairness it is priced fairly according to the condition, it is more a case of trying nail down exactly how much work is required and does one really want to take on so much ?

Ideally I would like to find one in better condition closer to home here in NW....As you are also from the NW I was wondering if you know of any that might be for sale ? Thanks for your comments.



I'd let mine go for $20k. Dreary Ol Hawaii.


mangomadnessj30.blogspot.com

Former Owner, Mango Madness
Joined: Mar 2010
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Unfortunately that Hawaii "distance factor" is a big one. Otherwise your boat is a very nice one.

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That would be incentive to start cruising on your new J/30 early. I'm sure as part of the sale, Rob would stock the 1st day's supply of beer for the journey back to the mainland.

Joined: Mar 2010
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You have to enjoy a deliver that consits of beer, rum and diesel....too bad it wasn't all downhill heading back from Hawaii....

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