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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We use a Protimeter Aquant (UK built) - it was
reviewed in Practical Sailor about a year or two ago and was well rated - about
$350 US. It is a relative meter as apposed to a percent metre in moisture but I
find it does a good job - one finds the dry areas and from that can
interpret the damper areas. On boats that have been opened up, after we have
used the metre, it has been determined the metre is accurate on the damaged
areas to slightly pessimistic. Though all decks that have been opened after we
have been metering them have been found to contain the damage areas as being
closely similar to what the metre showed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The meter is a radio frequency type meter and can
read decks that have been rained on recently without skewing the results - a
nice feature the probe type can't do. There are many good makes on the market so
shop around.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I think having one's own meter is a worthwhile
expense and about the cost of one survey - but they are fragile, I don't loan
mine but am quite willing to meter friend's boats for them. You may find if you
buy a meter and wave it around many people will be offering you money, or beer,
to keep it away from their decks <STRONG>; ) </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kind of a variation on the old Chicago Mob
protection rackets <STRONG>; )</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hope this is a help,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>John Birch<BR>9 Homewood Avenue<BR>Hamilton,
Ontario,<BR>Canada L8P 2M1</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Tel:
905-521-9166<BR>Fax: 905-521-9166 - call before sending<BR>Email: <A
href="mailto:Sunstone@cogeco.ca">Sunstone@cogeco.ca</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>