---

This afternoon I'm looking at an older (early 70's) 13' Whaler with a small 2 stroke late 80's Johnson OB. I'll have a mechanic check out the engine but my problem is how can you check the hull for water penetration without using a moisture meter. I have owned boats before but always avoided cored hulls. This whaler has a foam cored hull and is old. I used to check the decks of my previous boats for delamination by sounding with the plastic handle of a long screw driver and listening for dull sounds. That may not work with the Whaler since she is foam cored and apparently water can penetrate the foam in a wicking action through out the boat and never delaminate. A dealer told me if that happens you can never dry it out and might as well throw the boat away.

Would appreciate some tips from experienced Whaler owners about what to look for.