How do I know what boat im buying.

[jleblanc31]

Im looking at a hunter to buy. its a basket case but I like a challenge. it seems to be around a 29-30 footer owner says it is a shallow draft Calabrese design I have some of the hull number is there a way to tell from it. Or a web site I can break down the hull number like a vin.

 

[Bill1565]

Im looking at a hunter to buy. its a basket case but I like a challenge. it seems to be around a 29-30 footer owner says it is a shallow draft Calabrese design I have some of the hull number is there a way to tell from it. Or a web site I can break down the hull number like a vin.

Gonna be a money pit if it is a "basket case". Walk away. It's Cherubini, not Calabrese.

 

[Phil Herring]

The last two digits of the hull number should be the year, I believe (the format was a bit different back then so I could be wrong). If it's in the early 80's it would probably be a Cherubini-designed Hunter.

 

[jleblanc31]

ok figured it out its a 30 foot 1988 hunter and the owner spelled the name wrong like you said. might keep an eye on this one for parts.

 

[Benny17441]

I gather if you are buying and paying money for it that it is probably a lot better than my idea of a basket case. In any instance before you do make a budget of how much money and how much time will it take to make it seaworthy and factor in all maintenance expenses during that time. Once you have that budget increase it by 30% for contingencies. At this time look around at all the boats that you could purchase for the projected cost of the basket case and then decide whether it is worth it. Basket cases are usually gifted or sold real cheap as the owners do not want to pay for disposing of them. It costs money to get rid of a boat and there are stiff penalties for improperly disposing of one.

 

[jleblanc31]

I can pick it up real cheap and the owner said I could work on it where its at. That's a plus for me. but the first thing I would do is get or build a trailer incase I had to suddenly move it in a hurry. the only thing right now that's keeping me from jumping in is locating a skeg and rudder. both need replacing . I could probably fix them but if I could find it used it would be better. the rest of the boat I can handle.

 

[MrUnix]

The most expensive boats are the ones you get for free!

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Secodn Unix. As for trailers, I can advise you on that if you want but don't even think of trying to revamp a power boat trailer for a 28. Too many issues.

 

[jleblanc31]

Why so many naysayers . guys do it all the time with cars. A boat is no different. I can do all the work myself I don't need to pay any one for labor, just parts. im one of those guys that can fix anything not just think I can . all my friends and neighbors come to me when the $I#! hits the fan .

 

[jleblanc31]

Well my friend misjudged the owners comments. The owner thinks the boat is worth $3,000 as is said that what he would get for the keel in scrap. So no go on this one.

 

[kito]

A 1988 Hunter Cherubini? I thought the last were made around 1984? Anyway, one mans "basket case" is another man's "easy fix". If all parts are there, the engine runs, and just needs some tlc, it very well may be worth $3000.

 

[jleblanc31]

Engine does not run infact its locked up . not sure if the trans is locked up and in gear or gust engine is locked but I could not turn the prop at all or the harmonic balancer. bow ralings and stern railings are gone. steering wheel bent, rudder bent, and skeg needs replacing if the stem of the rudder needs to be in the skeg. electrical panel is also under water, hull needs some repair no holes but plenty gouging. two hatches need replacing and a port window. also may need a main sail. all wood needs refinishing, and new wires for mast they were cut when the boat was moved to his property. Needs Companion way doors new cushions, and lines. also will need painting.

 

[kito]

Yes, not worth $3000. I paid $1900 for my H30 and had a running engine and no damaged or missing parts. Even so, I have over $6000 in the project so far.

 

[soggysocks]

I have made money on every boat I have ever owned with the exception of my first which was a Cal 20 and I broke even. When I say I made money I mean even after all dock expenses and fuel and everything.

I would highly suggest anyone stick to good name brands and boats that are for the most part just moldy but basically sound.
One good part about making the "mistake" of a heavy project boat is by the end of it you will have learned a great deal - and hopefully it turns out to be profitable at least in terms of satisfaction if not in terms of value.

My last boat I bought for 25k, did nothing to it but clean and polish, lived in it for two years and sold it for 65k.

Hunter's of this age are a bit on the fringe of what are considered good brands - so your efforts will not typically yield nearly as much as a number of other brands.

Yours is post 1985 - that is good - but do not make the mistake of valuation based on all other 30 footers. Catalina's in the early 80s will sell fast and at about 30% higher.

If you are looking to go around the world then this is not the 30 footer you want.
If the gel coat is crumbly then the valuation will be very low and regardless of what you may believe - a hand painted boat is a low value boat with extremely few exceptions so unless you can spray - a hand painted Hunter 30 1988 with a good diesel will value at about 12k and take quite awhile to sell (typically).

 

[jleblanc31]

the guy came down on his price and I picked up a trailer for $400

 

[jleblanc31]

Ok well Im going for it he said pay me $1500 for the new rudder he bought for it and the boat is free. now I just have to find some way to pick it up so I can back the trailer under it .

 

[dakno]

The last Cherubinis were from 1984 . I have owned hunters since 1985 and you will hear a lot about "those are poorly built" . That is total nonsense. I have been in all production boats of that era and the Hunters are mostly superior to the others, better materials, more opening ports, hatches, etc. And mostly, you will not see any difference in price looking at year, size, condition compared to Catalina, Bene, Ericsson, cal, Irwin, etc..oh, and no gasoline engines like Catalina......

 

[BigEasy]

Had a 1988 Hunter 33.5. Two big problems were a failed compression post. The post was fabricated from non treated 2x4's wrapped in teak. Water leaked under the mast wiring chase & onto the post; it was totally rotted after 10 years. The other big problem was boat pox, thousands of them. I think that these two items are common for that Hunter vintage.

 

[cb32863]

Good luck on your project. Be sure to keep track of all the $$ you spend fixing this thing and then go out and see what you could have bought for that money and how much sooner you would have actually been sailing. Which, is the point. And you will not get your money "back" when you sell either. No way. But as I said, have fun working on a sailboat instead of sailing it.

 

[pateco]

Pictures, Pictures, and more Pictures. Love to see how other peoples projects move along. Document it from start to finish, and you will have many memories to go along with your finely restored Hunter.

Our free to good home 1983 Hunter went from this:

To this:

In about a year and a half. Lots of sweat equity involved, but sailing her is a great reward for the effort.

We have been documenting our adventure here, and on a Facebook page linked below. Cant wait to see what you do with your new toy.