Looking for leads on a 1984-1987 Hunter 31 to buy

[RichW9603]

Hi all,
Apologies, I posted a thread in the Hunter forum when really it was meant for anyone who frequents a marina or knows of a lead in general. I am looking to buy a 1984-1987 Hunter 31 with a deep draft keel and would appreciate any leads anyone comes across which are not on the main for-sale sites (which I check daily). Here is a link to the original posting.
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...leads-on-a-1984-1987-hunter-31-to-buy.178210/

 

[SFS]

I have an 83, and it's not for sale, but I am curious. How did you select this specific range of years? Is there perhaps a feature of the boats made only in these four years that is not found on other year models?

 

[RichW9603]

I have an 83, and it's not for sale, but I am curious. How did you select this specific range of years? Is there perhaps a feature of the boats made only in these four years that is not found on other year models?

Great question. One theory I have on things is in general to not buy a new model the first year it comes out, because the manufacturer is still tuning in the production process or gets feedback on the design. Sometimes the changes are big like when Lamborghini added a front-end lift the second year of Gallardo production because people were scraping the daylights out of the front bumper, but often the changes aren't advertised because they are internal.

Also, maybe it is just bad luck of the draw but most 83's I have seen advertised seem to look a little more rough around the edges than the 84's I see. If you care enough about your '83 to be an active member on a user forum I have little doubt yours would not fall in with that lot but between the two factors it has me cautious about the '83's.

From what I can tell the only major model year change on the 83-87 H31 I know of how they changed the main table in the cabin to have semi-circle seating in 1987, which is much better. I wish there was a way to retrofit that into the earlier boats.

 

[Steve Morris]

There is currently an '83 model for sale on the Erie, PA, Craigslist.