Restoring a 79 Hunter 30

[kito]

Hello all. I am picking up a 79 Hunter 30 in a couple weeks. I am having it transported to my backyard for a restoration project. Hull and deck are in great shape, just needs rebedding of the chain plates etc. The interior needs a complete overhaul. Compression post base is not there anymore. She has a 25 hp Yanmar that the PO has never try to run but had a mechanic look at it and has good compression. I am basically taking over his project. Just looking for helpful information and suggestions as I proceed with this project. Looking for good places for replacement parts like portlights, bimini, dodger etc. I have a $5000 limit that I need to stay within to make this project feasible. Thank you

 

[tomgrigsby]

What a coincidence, I went from a Catalina 22 to the 79H30. You're going to love it. 25hp is going to be more than needed to move her at hull speed, but that's not really a bad problem. This site is a great place to start for parts - I'm sure other recommendations will come is as you get more specific about your needs. What's the story with sails? Please post pictures. Everybody loves pictures. Here's new blue vs 70s original cushions. I guess if your compression post is gone, then the table is too?

 

[kito]

It is a coincidence, I have a Catalina 22 also that will be up for sale after my Hunter project is finished. The blue upholstery looks nice. The brown plaid is horrid isn't it The table is there but removed. The post itself is still in place but the I-beam was rusted away. I am looking forward to this project but is going to be a challenge to stay within my budget. I will post pictures of the "before" condition when I get it home. The sails (main and furling headsail) are in good condition. May need replacement in a few years though. I enjoy woodworking so the interior will be customized a bit. Just need to find some replacement for stove etc.

 

[rardiH36]

Hello Kito:

As an owner of a Cherubini Hunter, a 1980 36, you made a good choice for a restoration boat. They are strong, well constructed and sail well. I am sure that actual 30 owners will respond to your post. But also, much about your boat construction and specific repair/upgrade/maintenance items have been covered over the years. Use the search function, specify Cherubini forum, and enter your keywords. You can also specify your model, but often posters don't include that info, so you will miss out sometimes on useful posts.

I don't know your boat working experience, but unless you are a repair/restore person "in the trade", a good reference book will give you more detail than can be covered by just responses on a forum. My recommendation is the "The Complete Sailboat Repair Manual" by Don Casey. Here is a link to Amazon's offer. The information on all categories, hull, deck, electrical, engine, painting (everything except standing rigging) is described well with great illustrations and how-to tips. I have found it indispensable for my projects over the years. Have fun!

 

[rardiH36]

Oops -- here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Caseys-Comple...2276611&sr=8-1&keywords=sailboat+repair+casey

 

[tomgrigsby]

Ah, just the base I beam - that seems to be about the only weak point in these H30s. The PO replaced the one in my boat. Looking forward to seeing photos. I work in Salisbury quite regularly and pass near your neck of the woods. Nice area.

 

[kito]

Anyone know the size the original I-beam was?. Mine is gone so can't get a measurement. Did you replace with another steel beam or go with an aluminum?. Any online places to buy already cut to length?.

 

[rufus1138]

not sure if you want to bother but my h33 (78) has a fiberglass island that the post sits on, seems to be alot better solution than a potentially corrosion prone i-beam

 

[Ian McGain]

Congratulations- Go to the owner modifications on this site for Hunter 30's (older version) and you will see some things done to our boats. Post your "work" as you complete your projects. First thing to check is the standing rigging. The starboard side middle chain plate is the weakest plate and subject to rot from water penetration. Pay real attention to the middle plates on both sides.

Good luck and welcome to the club.

Ian
Meant to Be

 

[kito]

not sure if you want to bother but my h33 (78) has a fiberglass island that the post sits on, seems to be alot better solution than a potentially corrosion prone i-beam

Can you describe this fiberglass island you mentioned? I was considering cutting some thick walled aluminum tubing to length and making a bundle about 8" in diameter and wrap in fiberglass. I would have 1/4" aluminum plates on the top and bottom too.

 

[MLampner]

Love my Hunter 30 a 1977. While below decks she is very dated she out sails boat far newer. This weekend was out in 25 to 20 knot winds. We held our own against boat two decades newer. And on the way into our home port of Middle River found ourselves competing with a Tartan 42 at least 15 years newer that we progressively out sailed to wind over an hour.

These are truly great boats. Plan to take mine to NYC in the late spring next year. Grew up on a runabout owned by a friends dad and have not been in those waters for more tha. 50 years. Have. O doubt she will do fine along the coast.

 

[rufus1138]

Can you describe this fiberglass island you mentioned? I was considering cutting some thick walled aluminum tubing to length and making a bundle about 8" in diameter and wrap in fiberglass. I would have 1/4" aluminum plates on the top and bottom too.

i would use coosa-board and layer it with fiberglass to stack up to where the i-beam was originally, measure carefully and just build up the stack and shape it to the bilge then when you're done or as you start make a limber hole for water flow and make sure everything is encapsulated with fiberglass so that nothing metal is exposed to constant water.

 

[Fred Villiard]

What is coosa-board?

 

[rufus1138]

i might have spelled that wrong, its a synthetic wood that is very resistant to water damage and other aging problems with natural wood, its an excellent structural core material, the other option would be a nice structural foam soaked in west system epoxy, that was used for my mast step on my 27 and performs excellently.

edit: i was wrong coosa isnt a synthetic wood its an engineered foam and fiberglass wood replacement material, splitting hairs but its not wood it just behaves structurally like wood does.

http://www.coosacomposites.com/

phenolic compounds are more technically synthetic wood and are great also but they do not work as easily with fiberglass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenolic_paper

this material can be had from hard to find specialty suppliers in many sizes and shapes, used extensively in aircraft as a lightweight wire sheave material for control cables and in a protected environment (not exposed to weather) is very effective for fairleads and sheaves. would be great for below deck pulleys for instance in a cable run from an edson pedestal to the rudder post in a center cockpit boat.

 

[Fred Villiard]

Thanks, I'd never heard of it before, at least I learned something new today.

 

[kito]

and a few more questions

Forgive my question about roller furlers but this boat I am buying has one and I never had one on my catalina 22 and don't know beans about them. I never got to see the actual furler since it was stored in his Dad's house and wasn't on the boat. The owner doesn't know anything about it either. I rolled out the genoa and it has what seems to be a large cable sewn into the luff with grommets on the top and bottom. I guess my question is, what am I looking for when I check out the furler this weekend?......just a drum that attaches to genoa's tack?. Does the head attach to the jib halyard?. I thought the genoa rolled up on something other than itself. I ask since the previous owner says he only has a drum.

 

[Nereussailor]

It depends on the brand of furler. I have a Hood 915SL that has furler extrusions. Some wrap around the headstay. If you can find out a brand and model, that would help.

 

[kito]

I went to pay for the boat yesterday and took home everything I could fit in my truck. The mover is bringing the boat to my house in a couple weeks. I found out the furler is an old design. It's an all or nothing furler....no reefing. This boat looks like it did when bought in 1979. Still has original toilet....no separate waste tank. It was never set up for single handing either. No deck organizers or rope clutches. Halyard winch still on the mast. This is going to be a fun project . If anyone can give me a heads up on where to buy a Yanmar YSM12 (10hp) service manual please let me know. No manuals came with the boat. I was glad to see the manual starting crank handle still in the Yanmar tool kit. Also, the mainsail is in good sailing condition but has 2 large brown stains. It may be diesel fuel or oil...I have no idea. Looking for some spot cleaner that is safe and effective.

 

[Ian McGain]

The Yanmar service manual will have to be purchased from Yanmar. It is still available.
The manual for the boat is posted under owner mods. If you can not find it, send me an "E" to ianmcgain@verizon.net and I will return forward a PDF>

Ian

 

[ggrizzard]

Kito, Congrats on your H30C. I kept my Yanmar handle for 32 years before I repowered with a 2GM20F. Neither I, nor anyone on this board that I've heard speak about it has ever been able to get the engine started using it.
Let us know if you are successful!