Doe's anyone know the actual selling price of 1978 h33c when it was built? Or for that matter the actual price of any of the h33c's
original cost of 1978 h33c
- Thread starter bugaloo
- Start date
The 1974 Hunter 30 sold for US$19,995 when new. That's the only figure I know for sure. The H25s went for about US$4000 in 1973-ish. By my guestimations the H33 of 1977-1979 would have been about US$39,995. But someone with original-series brochures might have one of those pretty purple mimeographed price lists lying about.
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Thanks JC, I had no idea and I was asked that question a while back by someone and I have about half that much in a restoration. which I feel is still a deal.
Cost?
)
The numbers aren't meaningful any more anyway. When I started drawing for Hunter (1973) I was getting about $2.00/hour from my dad who made $20k/year, which was about half of what he was worth. I don't even know how to apply those numbers today. Fiberglass resin was $2.20 a gallon, which was atrocious, due to the OPEC hassles of the day. John Luhrs found a guy in Texas who had it for $2.00, representing an incredible bargain-- but you had to buy the whole tank car's worth of it (and Hunter at Marlboro had no direct rail service!). Boats of fiberglass sold for $2.00 a pound. I couldn't figure out what that meant-- where are all the wires, screws, upholstery, plywood panels, etc., in that? At the H30 meeting I asked about it. John and Reggie told me the H30 had to sell for under $20k, to make market; and I told them-- having done the displacement calculations when my dad was down in traction-- that it wasn't going to happen because the boat weighed 10,002 lbs. (Naive I was then.)
Now, 40 years later, you can get a nice '70s H30 for about $10-12,000. Converted to 1974 terms that would be, basically, free. So what does it matter what your boat sold for new, 35-40 years ago? By all marketing calculations of the day, it shouldn't even still be here. So in a way it's priceless-- literally. (This is the other point I make about restoring older fiberglass boats: you save the environment from a rotting, non-biodegradable hulk-- and relieve the new-boat market from having to pollute the world, with vapor, dust, chemical offal and all associated production costs, in the making of a new one.)
A decent, well-cared-for or restored Hunter 25 series 1 sloop will sell for maybe $6000 in today's market. I have *about* $4500 in mine, exclusive of topsides paint, a new 135%, motor rebuild and batteries. I've built it mostly by getting materials discounts through vendors and affiliates and figure I'll be lucky to break even. But then I'll have an as-new boat that I know completely (except maybe for that stubborn rainwater leak I can't find the source of) and it'll be how I want it, not a dealer- and factory-specified compromise, and I'll keep it for as long as I am able to sail and get far more than my money's worth out of it.
Besides, I have grown very fond of the old girl (who turns 40 end of this month). She's a part of me, you know.
* * *
Oh, heavens, Bugaloo, don't count the cost! You'll only give yourself headaches-- and your socio-financial advisor (significant other) will hate you. (I couldn't have rebuilt this boat if I'd been still married
)The numbers aren't meaningful any more anyway. When I started drawing for Hunter (1973) I was getting about $2.00/hour from my dad who made $20k/year, which was about half of what he was worth. I don't even know how to apply those numbers today. Fiberglass resin was $2.20 a gallon, which was atrocious, due to the OPEC hassles of the day. John Luhrs found a guy in Texas who had it for $2.00, representing an incredible bargain-- but you had to buy the whole tank car's worth of it (and Hunter at Marlboro had no direct rail service!). Boats of fiberglass sold for $2.00 a pound. I couldn't figure out what that meant-- where are all the wires, screws, upholstery, plywood panels, etc., in that? At the H30 meeting I asked about it. John and Reggie told me the H30 had to sell for under $20k, to make market; and I told them-- having done the displacement calculations when my dad was down in traction-- that it wasn't going to happen because the boat weighed 10,002 lbs. (Naive I was then.)
Now, 40 years later, you can get a nice '70s H30 for about $10-12,000. Converted to 1974 terms that would be, basically, free. So what does it matter what your boat sold for new, 35-40 years ago? By all marketing calculations of the day, it shouldn't even still be here. So in a way it's priceless-- literally. (This is the other point I make about restoring older fiberglass boats: you save the environment from a rotting, non-biodegradable hulk-- and relieve the new-boat market from having to pollute the world, with vapor, dust, chemical offal and all associated production costs, in the making of a new one.)
A decent, well-cared-for or restored Hunter 25 series 1 sloop will sell for maybe $6000 in today's market. I have *about* $4500 in mine, exclusive of topsides paint, a new 135%, motor rebuild and batteries. I've built it mostly by getting materials discounts through vendors and affiliates and figure I'll be lucky to break even. But then I'll have an as-new boat that I know completely (except maybe for that stubborn rainwater leak I can't find the source of) and it'll be how I want it, not a dealer- and factory-specified compromise, and I'll keep it for as long as I am able to sail and get far more than my money's worth out of it.
Besides, I have grown very fond of the old girl (who turns 40 end of this month). She's a part of me, you know.
* * *
I Have Lost Count of the Sunsets...
my 1978 33C has shared with me, I can't remember all the places we have anchored and shared the sunrise as we watched birds leave thier nests to forage.
I am at my desk now figuring out what I have to spend, need to spend, should spend, WANT to spend, to ready her for our sixth season. The new Defender catalog is already well thumbed, marked, and high-lighted.
My new wife is planning trips to St. Michael's and Have de Grace while cursing the snow that keeps us from sleeping overnight on the boat.
I have no idea what Dunlook'n cost when new. I have only a vague idea of what I have spent to make her better than new with electronics, add-ons, and materials that were only dreamed about when she was designed.
I do know that a gentle sway while my wife and I sleep, the laughter of ALL my children as they adjust her sails, the fellowship of friends make each dollar, and every commissioning moment, a return on investment that Wall Street can only dream about.
Dunlook'n rests soundly. She needs only the wind, and my hand, to make her come alive.
The rest....money I would have wasted somewhere else.
my 1978 33C has shared with me, I can't remember all the places we have anchored and shared the sunrise as we watched birds leave thier nests to forage.
I am at my desk now figuring out what I have to spend, need to spend, should spend, WANT to spend, to ready her for our sixth season. The new Defender catalog is already well thumbed, marked, and high-lighted.
My new wife is planning trips to St. Michael's and Have de Grace while cursing the snow that keeps us from sleeping overnight on the boat.
I have no idea what Dunlook'n cost when new. I have only a vague idea of what I have spent to make her better than new with electronics, add-ons, and materials that were only dreamed about when she was designed.
I do know that a gentle sway while my wife and I sleep, the laughter of ALL my children as they adjust her sails, the fellowship of friends make each dollar, and every commissioning moment, a return on investment that Wall Street can only dream about.
Dunlook'n rests soundly. She needs only the wind, and my hand, to make her come alive.
The rest....money I would have wasted somewhere else.
Oh, heavens, Bugaloo, don't count the cost! You'll only give yourself headaches-- and your socio-financial advisor (significant other) will hate you. (I couldn't have rebuilt this boat if I'd been still married
The numbers aren't meaningful any more anyway. When I started drawing for Hunter (1973) I was getting about $2.00/hour from my dad who made $20k/year, which was about half of what he was worth. I don't even know how to apply those numbers today. Fiberglass resin was $2.20 a gallon, which was atrocious, due to the OPEC hassles of the day. John Luhrs found a guy in Texas who had it for $2.00, representing an incredible bargain-- but you had to buy the whole tank car's worth of it (and Hunter at Marlboro had no direct rail service!). Boats of fiberglass sold for $2.00 a pound. I couldn't figure out what that meant-- where are all the wires, screws, upholstery, plywood panels, etc., in that? At the H30 meeting I asked about it. John and Reggie told me the H30 had to sell for under $20k, to make market; and I told them-- having done the displacement calculations when my dad was down in traction-- that it wasn't going to happen because the boat weighed 10,002 lbs. (Naive I was then.)
Now, 40 years later, you can get a nice '70s H30 for about $10-12,000. Converted to 1974 terms that would be, basically, free. So what does it matter what your boat sold for new, 35-40 years ago? By all marketing calculations of the day, it shouldn't even still be here. So in a way it's priceless-- literally. (This is the other point I make about restoring older fiberglass boats: you save the environment from a rotting, non-biodegradable hulk-- and relieve the new-boat market from having to pollute the world, with vapor, dust, chemical offal and all associated production costs, in the making of a new one.)
A decent, well-cared-for or restored Hunter 25 series 1 sloop will sell for maybe $6000 in today's market. I have *about* $4500 in mine, exclusive of topsides paint, a new 135%, motor rebuild and batteries. I've built it mostly by getting materials discounts through vendors and affiliates and figure I'll be lucky to break even. But then I'll have an as-new boat that I know completely (except maybe for that stubborn rainwater leak I can't find the source of) and it'll be how I want it, not a dealer- and factory-specified compromise, and I'll keep it for as long as I am able to sail and get far more than my money's worth out of it.
Besides, I have grown very fond of the old girl (who turns 40 end of this month). She's a part of me, you know.
* * *
In Dec 1978 I bought Midnight Sun for the full list price of $45000.00 The wholesale invoice was still in the boat. The dealer paid $33900. That was for the 37c.
JC, I too buy from venders, by having a company that doe's electrical rebuilding, and have done most of the work myself, with help from my son and a few friends when it was needed, otherwise who knows what the cost would be. the finished job should be completed by late April----early May The question of cost was asked to answer someone else. I'll tell you how much I love this boat;;; I have taken up sewing so I can do the canvas and interior myself. I gutted the interior and started over with the icebox which now has the proper insulation, then new teak galley , cornerstone counter top, heat and air, ice machine , water maker,ect. complete electronics with includes Radar and ssb radio, new head and so on. New wiring, solar, I can go on and on this is basically a new boat. Oh and the ice box has an alderbarbour unit installed. I also have a norcold ref. No q-birth though. Engine rebuild. I hope you understand how much I l love this boat
JC's economics lesson.
'Whenever I get a little money, I buy books. If I have any left over, I buy food and clothes.' --Erasmus. At one time, I bought books. Now, I buy boat paint and parts.
* * *
This is exactly how I look at it. I refer to it as 'beer money' --that money you would have petered away on something meaningless without even thinking about it. Whatever you do, don't try to count this in the past! --but definitely try to circumvent these forgettable losses in future.
'Whenever I get a little money, I buy books. If I have any left over, I buy food and clothes.' --Erasmus. At one time, I bought books. Now, I buy boat paint and parts.
* * *
More costs.
Of course the costs will always continue to escalate.
I have reconfigured so much of the aft end of the cabin that I am rather stuck with a slot for a cooler. However I have devised a three-piece fiberglass mold that will make an assemble-in-place icebox that can be fitted with a compressor and holding plate (I don't see the point of evaporators for small sailboats). But that's for the future.
I have also, though never being much of a fan of them, begun thinking about a wind generator. Pretty much any place worth sailing will have enough wind to produce enough energy with one of these things. One I checked out is like $499 and at 10-15 kts generates more than 50 watts of solar panels. This is becoming a real decision at this point (the point being that I am about to buy the solar panels).
* * *
Oh; I get it, Bugaloo. Trust me.
Of course the costs will always continue to escalate.
I have reconfigured so much of the aft end of the cabin that I am rather stuck with a slot for a cooler. However I have devised a three-piece fiberglass mold that will make an assemble-in-place icebox that can be fitted with a compressor and holding plate (I don't see the point of evaporators for small sailboats). But that's for the future.
I have also, though never being much of a fan of them, begun thinking about a wind generator. Pretty much any place worth sailing will have enough wind to produce enough energy with one of these things. One I checked out is like $499 and at 10-15 kts generates more than 50 watts of solar panels. This is becoming a real decision at this point (the point being that I am about to buy the solar panels).
* * *
I love this thread! It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one sacrificing my beer money for varnish and the latest Airmar Triducer-do-hickey. I started a spreadsheet of boat expenses when I first acquired my h30 two years ago, then I realized that this spreadsheet could be really bad evidence used against me.
I read your last post, Ed, and I see the profile pic of you laughing, and it all goes together somehow. Looking forward to chucking down some Landsharks with you soon, mate.
Cheers J! We'll see you soon.Looking forward to chucking down some Landsharks with you soon, mate.