1990 Hunter 35.5 Watch Items

richk · Feb 1, 2015

Fuel tank leaks, soft core esp around deck where continuous line from filter penetrates. Skylight and port leaks.

All that being said we loved and really sailed ours just north of you.PM me with questions.

jeepsailor · Feb 1, 2015

Holding tank - if it's plastic, it's been replaced and you're okay. If it's aluminum, it's rotted (or rotting) out and needs to be replaced ASAP.

richk · Feb 2, 2015

the holding tank thing reminds me. we had to enlarge the vent for the plastic tank we had. followed the Headmistress' advice and odors from h.t. were minimised.

jeepsailor · Feb 2, 2015

Rich -

When I replaced mine, I also followed all of Peggie Hall's advice. All hoses to the top, oversized vent, etc. The thing I like best about the oversized vent line is that at pump out time, I can stick the water hose in there to make sure it's clear, and run clean water in to rinse while pumping dirty water out. Our pump outs have a clear section to monitor, so once the water is running clear, I know if gotten the dirty stuff out and can let the vent run clear. No need to pump, rinse, repeat.

Steverhnm · Feb 2, 2015

Love my 35.5. Sails great, very comfortable. Check the Keel bolts for corrosion. Shower drains to bilge (I installed a shower sump). They used Carbon washers under the bilge nuts. If the Main is new, its a little bit of a wrestling match, as it has a lot of sail. The Hood 810 continuous line furler can be a mixed bag (original equip) as far as relying on it in bad weather. Hood offers a low cost upgrade if you have one cause they know how they "well" they work. Good for in/out - but no reefing in > 15 knots.

Did I mention I love my boat? on the inside it feels bigger than a 36, on the outside it feels like a 34....

richk · Feb 3, 2015

We changed out the hood continuous line for an above deck single line. Plugged the hole in the deck. Put in a new furlex. It meant replacing the forestay and getting a new sail. Motivation was the hood failed at the most inopportune time...in a sudden blow with the huge genny all the way out.

jeepsailor · Feb 4, 2015

Peggy was a frequent contributor here that literally wrote the book on marine sanitation systems. The hose that I upsized was not the pump out hose, but the vent line. Typical vent lines are 5/8" hose, capped with a clam shell vent cover. I replaced with either 3/4" or 1" hose, with an open fitting. It's high enough above the water, on the starboard side at the stern, that even heeling I wasn't concerned with anything getting in or out.

Now this is separate from the fill line from the head, or the pumpout line, which would both be 1 1/2" sanitation hose. The fill line goes into the top of the tank, as does the pumpout line, which helps prevent "stuff" from sitting in the hose. The pumpout fitting has a dip tube that goes to with about 1/2" from the bottom of the tank. So when I pumpout, there's still a little liquid at the bottom, but the vent line access allows me to make sure it's just clear water. And since we were able to almost double the tank size when we replaced, the little bit of water has minimal impact on capacity.

NewOwnersJCM said:
Not sure I know the reference to Peggy Hall but as I look at the .pdf for a Hunter owner manual (35.5) , diagram 35-9, Plumbing diagram, I see the line listed as "1 1/2 " Sanitation Hose". What did you upsize to on the hose (1 3/4", 2") and for the deck plate access, did it require mod to the accept a larger opening?

Stu Jackson · Feb 4, 2015

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/prod.php?53615/

richk · Feb 4, 2015

I'm not sure to whom you address your comment but all I did was enlarge the vent line to 1".

richk · Feb 4, 2015

NewOwnersJCM said:
When I downloaded on-line a Hunter Owners Manual, there wasn't any diagram for the fuel system. Is there such a diagram?

there may be, but I traded the boat in so don't have the documents that came with it. Is there a potential problem with the fuel system?

Steverhnm · Feb 4, 2015

NewOwnersJCM said:
Looked at keel bolts during walk through and they looked good; very clean. Agree on beam of the boat. Noticed quite a difference between a 1987 35.5 we were considering and this 1990 we are trying to buy. We'll see about the hood but probably won't test out in 15kts + unless unexpected. Don't want to turn off my mate; she's loving this experience so far and I've assured her I'm not trying to pit myself against mother nature :-o

Nothing you can do about a Hood 810, its continuos line furler is just not designed as a partial furler. It is mean to be in or out.

As far as pitting yourself against nature, don't worry, its coming. You won't be able to resist it....... Last cruise we sailed so hard I split my old Jib, lost the water intake hoses, then thought we would be filming "All is Lost" part duex in the Sea of Cortez, allas, it all worked out, a good time was had by all.....

However, if you get the 1990, you will have a great, fast, and comfortable boat she will love being in. The transom rocks!! fresh water shower at the transom. A V berth that can actually sleep another couple. A decent aft cabin that you don't have to tear down and make up just to use the boat. A great galley and refrigerator with deep double sinks. A full size shower where you are not sitting on the crapper.... :+1:

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout