Attn. Hunter ('83-'87)31 Owners

[HMT2]

I need the answer to two questions. In the included picture the red arrow is pointing at a teak plank grate that allows any water coming in through the companionway to drain right away. I am replacing parts of my sole and refinishing the rest. Was the teak grate originally an oiled finish or varnished? Mine looks like it might be a varnish that has worn away.But I am not sure. What is yours

Second, has anyone removed the handrails from the topside to refinish them? It looks to me like the ones on the topsides are placed identically to the ones in the interior and may be tied together somehow. I could use some help on this one. To my Hunter 34 friends there is not an overhead to remove.

 

[kito]

Are the inside and outside handrails the same length? If the handrails are indeed tied together (partially) with the same screw then find the side that has the screw head plugs, then remove the plugs and screws. My H30 top and inside handrails look like they are on top of each other but are screwed into the coring independently.

 

[HMT2]

They appear to be mirror images of each other but I'll put a tape to them and see if the appearance is accurate. Thanks for the tip.

 

[kito]

My H30 top rails are 10 feet long compared to the 6 foot long interior ones.

 

[pateco]

I need the answer to two questions. In the included picture the red arrow is pointing at a teak plank grate that allows any water coming in through the companionway to drain right away. I am replacing parts of my sole and refinishing the rest. Was the teak grate originally an oiled finish or varnished? Mine looks like it might be a varnish that has worn away.But I am not sure. What is yoursView attachment 119361

Second, has anyone removed the handrails from the topside to refinish them? It looks to me like the ones on the topsides are placed identically to the ones in the interior and may be tied together somehow. I could use some help on this one. To my Hunter 34 friends there is not an overhead to remove.View attachment 119362 View attachment 119363

Your sole already looks a lot better than mine did.

My grid was definitely varnished. But I do not know if it was from the factory or done by the PO.

Even after a lot of cleaning and varnishing it still does not look as good as yours.

 

[kloudie1]

If I recall correctly, most (if not all) of the Hunters (the Courtland Steck ones like 25.5, 31, 34, 40) of that time were supplied with lightly oiled flooring. Most owners varnished 'em and some dealers varnished 'em ..
http://sailboatdata.com/view_designer.asp?designer_id=139

 

[Don Crowther]

I don't remember how my hand rails were attached on our 31 but it looks like the plugs are on the out side. I would look closely at the inside ones for the same plugs. You will have to remove at least one plug to see. You probably already know that.

 

[IH82BL8]

BTW, there is a trick to removing those plugs cleanly. If you don't know it, I can explain it.

 

[Dave Groshong]

In my experience it is not worth it to try and remove handrails for refinishing, too many things can go wrong, refinish them in place.

 

[Roland5048]

BTW, there is a trick to removing those plugs cleanly. If you don't know it, I can explain it.

I've always used a wood plug drill bit. What is your trick?

 

[IH82BL8]

Drill a small hole in the center of the plug. Stop when the bit hits the screw head. Turn a small wood screw into the hole. When the screw contacts the screw head beneath and won't go any farther keep turning. It will pull the plug out neatly.

 

[kito]

I just use a brad point drill bit a little smaller than the plug and drill it out. It usually just breaks up clean. I was always afraid to use the screw method or drill until you hit the screw and booger up the soft bronze screw heads.

 

[SFS]

My grate is varnished rather than oiled. 1983 model. Don't know if it came that way from the factory.

 

[wufibugs]

HMT, I asked exactly the same question about the top rails as part of another recent thread and was told they are not tied together. Scott wrote of his 86 H31, "On my 86 h31 they are not thru bolted. had them off several times for sanding and cetol(ing) several times to do in my nice warm workshop." I failed to ask him if he unscrewed them from the top or removed the headliner.

 

[pateco]

HMT, I asked exactly the same question about the top rails as part of another recent thread and was told they are not tied together. Scott wrote of his 86 H31, "On my 86 h31 they are not thru bolted. had them off several times for sanding and cetol(ing) several times to do in my nice warm workshop." I failed to ask him if he unscrewed them from the top or removed the headliner.

No headliner in the H31, and the rails do not line up.

 

[wufibugs]

Thanks, Pat. So what exactly are they screwed or bolted into that makes them robust and allows for multiple removals and re-installations?

 

[pateco]

Thanks, Pat. So what exactly are they screwed or bolted into that makes them robust and allows for multiple removals and re-installations?

I haven't taken mine off, but a lot of the other hardware has metal plates molded into the fiberglass to accept these screws.

 

[Ken Cross]

I haven't taken mine off, but a lot of the other hardware has metal plates molded into the fiberglass to accept these screws.

Not sure about your handrails, but my jib rails were bolted into an aluminum plate inside the fiberglass. The SS bolts tend to seize in the aluminum. An impact screwdriver may be required to remove them (I use the manual hammer type). Then chase the threads with a tap to clean the threads. Always use anti-seize compound on the threads when you reinstall. This is a common problem with stainless / aluminum connections.
Ken