Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

[gtochris]

I'm considering a sport boat upgrade that someone accidentally used screws too long to secure something into the engine compartment causing 2 screws to exit through the hull below the water line. They appear to be small diameter (almost Sheetrock type) and the issue wasn't discovered apparently until the boat was pulled from the freshwater after a year of use... It is a Wellcraft built with wood. If the price is right, what is a suitable filler/ repair? and while I'm on it- Is a moisture meter something a normal Joe like me could purchase/ operate and make use of? Or is this type of testing best left to the pro's?

Thanks.

 

[pauloman]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

I would remove the screw - drill a bigger hole (to remove damage) and fill with thickened epoxy (or a wood 'stick' buried in epoxy

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

Sooo... Are the saying the hull of the boat is wood?

 

[gtochris]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

I would remove the screw - drill a bigger hole (to remove damage) and fill with thickened epoxy (or a wood 'stick' buried in epoxy

That is about what I was thinking.
Woodonglass- It is a wood core boat, my concerns are if water saturated any areas from this or just age since it is 15yo.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

Screws exit thru the BOTTOM of the hull below the water line

or

Thru the TRANSOM (back of the boat, stern) below the water line?

I'd be very surprised a 15yr old Wellcraft has a wood core hull. Transom made of wood, yep, balsa core, perhaps, which would be worse then what I would consider a wood core.

Pix of the engine side & exterior side showing the screws would be helpful.

Improperly prepped thru holes & holes w screws thru the hull are never good for a boat's general well being, esp below the water line.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

Ok, wood cored hull with screw penetrations I would for sure have it metered. You can do it your self or have it done. This will give you some good info about metering. From what I've learned it's a toss up.
Moisture Meters on Boat Hulls - Do They Produce Reliable Results? Since you don't know how long the hull has been exposed to the screw penetrations it's gunna be difficult at best but the metering might give you some idea. I think it's worth a shot. The repair is not that bad unless the core has extensive water damage which is unlikely from just 2 screw holes.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

I would thoroughly investigate the transom before I consider making an offer. Freshwater is like Disney Land for the bacteria that causes wood rot. There were two – unsealed – holes on the transom for a full year in fresh water, I would be very concerned.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

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deleted "double post"

 

[gtochris]

Re: Repairing from screws through hull and moisture meter Question:

Screws exit thru the BOTTOM of the hull below the water line

or

Thru the TRANSOM (back of the boat, stern) below the water line?

I'd be very surprised a 15yr old Wellcraft has a wood core hull. Transom made of wood, yep, balsa core, perhaps, which would be worse then what I would consider a wood core.

Pix of the engine side & exterior side showing the screws would be helpful.

Improperly prepped thru holes & holes w screws thru the hull are never good for a boat's general well being, esp below the water line.

BOTTOM, like top-down shooting toward the ground. I can't get a picture right now but have seen it in person. They extend out maybe 1/16" a few inches from the edge of the hull side.