what should a good hull sound like

[03silvers]

before even getting a survey, Going by the old hit with your hand method. Obviously it should be a solid sound not a hollow. My question is below the waterline sounds solid. above it where the cabin is sounds hollow. this seems like how it should be in my opinion. only down by where the stringers are would be solid sounding. Am i correct?

 

[JoLin]

Re: what should a good hull sound like

Hi- you're a little off with the purpose of the 'tap test'. Identifying hollow vs. solid isn't the goal. Identifying water infiltration is.

You need a small hammer, not your hand. You tap with the hammer all over the hull below the waterline, around the outdrive if so equipped, and around any through-hull fittings, both above and below the waterline. You want to hear a sharp rap (dry) rather than a dull thud (wet) where you strike.

I've had 3 boats surveyed. The surveyor used both the tap method and moisture meter readings on all 3. To be honest with you, on the boat I rejected because of water infiltration around the outdrive, I couldn't hear the difference. The surveyor could, and the moisture meter confirmed his suspicion. The Four Winns I just bought 'tapped' fine, but it also showed slightly elevated moisture levels in the transom. Not enough to worry about, in the opinion of the surveyor, but still good for me to know. Good luck!

My .02

 

[sasto]

Re: what should a good hull sound like

That's common. The hull underwater is probably much thicker than the hullsides. JoLin's advice is very helpful.

Good Luck!

 

[03silvers]

Re: what should a good hull sound like

thanks for the extra info!

 

[rbh]

Re: what should a good hull sound like

Yes JOLINS bang on, no pun intended.

The little plastic head mallet will confirm separation for example fiber glass from wood or fiber glass from fiber glass (layers).
This is not always rotting wood, but an area were it will happen eventually due to the delamination
I bet you will hear the sounds of separation even on a new boat, but only in small areas. On the older the boats with more stress and moisture in the hull and transom areas ETC, these areas will begin to migrate out.
So as a last thought, do not write a boat off because it has a hollow ring to it in areas.

 

[jonesg]

Re: what should a good hull sound like

I banged on my transom before and after a transom job, you'd need an educated ear to make sense of it.
It sounded fine before, but then I drilled a hole and a gal of water poured out of the transom.

Its better to look for soft spots in the deck, wet foam and get access to the rear of the transom to poke around.