JIM OLSEN
MARINE SURVEYOR-- ENGINES AND MACHINERY A SPECIALITY--
JIM OLSEN
MARINE SURVEYOR-- ENGINES AND MACHINERY A SPECIALITY--
Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
Accredited Marine Surveyor #449
With Additional - E - Engine Surveyor Rating
101 Atlantic Avenue - West Sayville, NY 11796-1901
Office: (631) 563-0077 Skype: jamesolsensurveyors
Marine Survey - Consultation - Appraisals
Close accuracy of readings is essential in and during wood and fiberglass repairs, but in using the meter during a vessel survey, in reality, I have found that its main value, is in its ability to indicate in simple, but very definite terms, that - this spot or section - is in some way, Different -- from another spot or section --, but after that, it is up to your Surveyor to find out why it is different. The finding out "why " one section is different from another, is where you find out the level of skill and experience your Surveyor actually has.
The scale face readings on most moisture meters are often labeled "Dry-Moist---Wet " and to an extent that is somewhat accurate, but one must remember that, just as often the readings are also on a " RELATIVE " scale. And that is a reading just as often, dependent on ambient temperatures and humidity. I have seen many a hull or stringer section to read " WET " but when opened, found to be either dry or just moist and sometimes dry to sight and touch, but empty of coring. Confusing sometimes, completely wrong not always, just -different- and incidentally I have also opened sections reading "WET" and guess what - it was wet. Often the only way to really find out what's inside, is to actually go inside. And this usually means drilling and taking core samples for visual inspection.
Never trust a person who puts a Moisture Meter on a boat section and proclaims it to be either "WET" or "DRY" or for that matter, any where in between, without also advising direct visible access by some means or other to the section in question. ---END OF STORY--- all the meter is telling you for sure, is that this section is different, after that, and without opening it up, you can speculate and guess all you want
Before we go on I should add another level of inner core inspection (condition evaluation) and that is the age old , tried and true, tire kicking-or tapping with a phenolic hammer. Phenolic plastic being kinder to the gell coat / paint, than its equivalent, the ball pein hammer. This is truly an art bordering on a science (it could easily be the other way around actually) but either way -- I have never done a bottom or almost any other section of wood or fiberglass -- without at least first tapping on it with my phenolic hammer. After tapping on many sections of every kind of material, I came to the conclusion that if a thing you have just tapped on with a hammer sounds solid, it probably is solid, -- unless its frozen solid (another subject )-- however, it also does not automatically mean that its "Dry" and there-in lies the rub. However, it does separate the full time Professional Marine Surveyor from the part timer. In defence of the Phenolic hammer, it can tell you many things but not in the plain English language spoken here in the US, and many other places, but in another language spoken only by " FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL MARINE SURVEYORS " - also found in many other places. Always check your Surveyors PRINCIPAL professional affiliation(s) not just the alphabet soup of the clubs or publications he/she subscribes to, and don't be afraid to ask for his/her resume.
"I ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE"
The Moisture Meter is probably the least understood and most misinterpreted diagnostic tool in the average surveyors tool box. It is subject to just about every nuance of temperature and humidity that exists in nature. There are even some meters that will inadvertently detect electrical wiring, or water tanks and lines, and give the same readings as if a "wet core" condition existed.
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