Fixing the HOLE in the KEEL /Moisture Meter our honest opinion [E30]

Join us this week as we share what we learn about moisture meters. We couldn't be more wrong in thinking that this device would provide answers on how sound is the laminate around the keel.
Nevertheless, we feel we are making progress. We begin to close the openings in the sump tank Ziggy made weeks ago, and can almost see an end to this project/ problem we had come across.
#boatproject #boatrefit #diyboat #moisturemeter

[@robertgranafei2781]

Regarding the moisture meter, this is my experience. In 1987 I took delivery of my brand new custom built Hans Christian 48T. At the time I was a maritime attorney and had friends who were marine surveyors. One had a moisture meter and thought a reading of the hull would be beneficial . So we did it, and the result was the hull was "very wet". Naturally, I complained to Hans Christian and we worked out a discount on the purchase price to reflect what we thought would be an extensive blister repair. I owned Bravura for 32 years, sailed over 50,000 miles and never had one blister above or below the waterline. So much for my faith in moisture meters. Further, what you are concerned about is the quality of the lamination. Is it tight or loose: not if it's damp. Tapping with a small hammer and listening to the sound is still the best way to determine if there is any loose areas. And on deck..walking on it, is a pretty good method. Good luck with the repairs.

[@sailingsqualo]

Thank you for sharing your experience. How odd that on a new boat the reading was “wet”.. You are right, we were more concerned about the state of the laminate around the ballast and within the sump tank. we borrowed and used moisture meter just to check the overall levels throughout the hull. Regards, Natalia

[@peterb9038]

Give your boat love and care on the hard and it'll do the same for you in the ocean.

[@sailingsqualo]

Nicely said and very true ☺️

[@MikeTheMachineLevine]

Awesome job!

[@sailingsqualo]

Thank you! ☺️

[@nick.caffrey]

Strange. In the beginning you guys didn't come across at all as a team. Now the opposite is the case. I really think you will make a great job of Squalo. You are beginning to make really good videos. Nat is so much more confident. And I'm really warming to Ziggy more with each episode. If it's built by Polish people, it won't break! Great good luck, health and wealth to you both!

[@sailingsqualo]

Thank you Nick. I guess with each episode we both become more confident and comfortable being ourselves in front of camera.. ;) Squalo will be stunning once we finish this project 🤩 Kind regards, Ziggy and Nat

[@nena4215]

The more work you do the more confident you become, especially with fiberglass. It’s hard at first and you worry, then, after many hours of practice it’s fine and you know it’s good, you’ve done well!!!

[@sailingsqualo]

Yes, You worry, because your finished work will be exposed to the toughest of the elements out there, the ocean 🌊 and you know that cutting corners or a “that will do” attitude is not good enough once out there. So you gotta get it absolutely right. Even though it’s our first boat refit ever, we are doing our best here. Thank you 🤗

[@robertmcgregor7233]

Your doing far better than "your best" The level of work your both putting in is absolutely top class 👍

[@nena4215]

@@sailingsqualo yes, but some people, myself included, don’t have a “that will do” mode, it never occurs to me and you too.

[@bozenagaecka1071]

Hej! Cała ta ciężka i dość brudna robota jaką robicie zasługuję na bardzo duże uznanie bo pomimo, że nie za bardzo się znam na remontach łodzi i nie tylko łodzi to patrząc z drugiej strony ekranu można zaobserwować ile staranności i dbałości wkładacie w to żeby wszystko nie tylko "grało" ale i było dla żeglujących bezpieczne. Świetna robota! Trzymam mocno kciuki za powodzenie! 🤩🥰😍👍👏

[@sailingsqualo]

Dziękujemy mamuś! 🥰

[@sailingsqualo]

Dziękujemy mamuś 🙏🥰

[@allan8004]

Hi, Must say first up I like and enjoy your channel and content, however with the large hole repair in the keel I am curious to know why you wouldn't lay-up some fiberglass to the existing keel thickness and epoxy it in the hole and then fiberglass over inside and outside, I think it would save you a lot of time and faring, as for the moisture meter, it's simply a piece of Leaverite, as in " Leave er rite where you found it" , All the best, Al

[@sailingsqualo]

Hi Al, thank you for your comment. 😊 In terms of the hole in the keel, that is pretty much what we are doing right now. We are building back the thickness of the hull and closing off that opening we made to gain access to the bottom of the sump tank. Once that is done, we will fiberglass over both inside (which we started doing already) and outside using big sized matt. Leaverite 😂 liked that :)

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

You guys are doing a great job and really impressed,with your research. The keel is looking great and as you say better to have found it as it was pretty bad. I may have asked before but will you be filling the sump slightly? I have the same sump,at the back of my Rival 32 and it is the most vulnerable part of the boat if it should ground. I bet you wish you could spend more time on the boat but she is looking great. Take care. Andy UK

[@sailingsqualo]

Hi Andy, thank you, it is looking so much better 🙌 yes we will be filling it up probably 3/4 or so. I remember you mentioned you had similar sump tank and plan to do the same. 👍

[@islandman9619]

Very happy to see you make progress and that you're starting to feel confident. On a personal level, I would have reacted just like you about the keel and I also have an iron ballast. My concern would be the expansion of rust. As far as the moisture meter goes, I wouldn't buy one. I have one myself and used it while renovating here, but it's hit or miss. On a boat, I'm guessing it's borderline useless unless you take initial readings and then compare the difference later on, but I doubt it's worth it. Seems to me that what you've done so far is really good and now the fun stuff can begin!! PS. I just got my condo sold here and will leave for Rio Dulce within 2 weeks or so. See you out there!

[@sailingsqualo]

I couldn’t agree more about the moisture meter. I was expecting people saying how great they are and that I am totally wrong in thinking they are a bit …“useless”. A fad really.. Sold your apartment! How exciting! We are planning to do the same, sell everything we worked hard for for many years (cause we thought that was the life we wanted), now people say we are crazy thinking of selling the biggest “security” we had in life.. so all I can say here, I hope YOU are happy with your decision, because ultimately this is what matters the most. I really hope we meet you out there one day. Sailing community is one of a kind. We never met such open minded folks as we have since the day we decided to go sailing ⛵️

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

For weekend work and the trials great progress!

[@sailingsqualo]

@@c.a.mcneil7599 Thank you 😃

[@craigturner5575]

Splendid😍. The secret to YT success = "Promo sm"!!!

[@sailingsqualo]

But isn’t that cheating..? 🤔