Hunter 49/50 cockpit insert deck flex

Brezzin · Oct 22, 2016

I had that part rot out. The screws were put right into an area where the balsa core was exposed. I ended up removing the panel and from the back cutting out the fiberglas in nice little 6" by 6" squares to expose the rot then grinding out all bad wet balsa and rebuilt it with new balsa then epoxying the squares back in being sure to fill in all the screw holes then re-drilling them.
Because it was all done on the back of the panel I didn't care about the way it looked. While there I widened all the weep holes so water drained out the cockpit wells by the wheel better.
In short to reinforce it just take out the panel and look at it you will see its a real easy fix.

artboas · Oct 24, 2016

Brezzin said:
I had that part rot out. The screws were put right into an area where the balsa core was exposed. I ended up removing the panel and from the back cutting out the fiberglas in nice little 6" by 6" squares to expose the rot then grinding out all bad wet balsa and rebuilt it with new balsa then epoxying the squares back in being sure to fill in all the screw holes then re-drilling them.
Because it was all done on the back of the panel I didn't care about the way it looked. While there I widened all the weep holes so water drained out the cockpit wells by the wheel better.
In short to reinforce it just take out the panel and look at it you will see its a real easy fix.

This is a known problem. I've seen several 49s with really rotted panels, and mine started to delaminate as well. I got a new one from Hunter, and installed it this summer.
The reason for the damage is because they didn't seal the plastic port fitting where the emerg rudder goes into. Water gets in through the fitting & the screw holes
On my new Panel I haven't put any screws in, and I'm not sure if I'm going to.
You can buy a new panel from Hunter, which might be a good bet.

Velero49 · Oct 25, 2016

Mine was reworked by dealer because it was bouncy, they stiffened up. 8 yrs later one of the screws is bleeding wood juice. May have to let it dry and epoxy around the hole and redrill.

artboas · Oct 26, 2016

SEMPERAVANTI41 said:
Art,
May I ask what it cost? Is it possible the design changed on the Hunter 50?
Andy

I bought it with a load of other stuff from the ex-Hunter dealer in Toronto.
I think it's best to contact Hunter on this.
If you get a new one, you might consider not drilling the mounting holes. Unless gravity fails, it's not going anywhere.
Btw, I bought a spare airco pump, but it's the wrong one. I actually have a March, but got the Dometic 230 volt by mistake. I think the 50 uses Dometic. If you need a spare, let me know.

Brezzin · Oct 27, 2016

Back when I did my fix I also thought I should just replace it. I called and although I've forgotten the price for the panel I do remember the shipping alone was a big bucks.
Thats when i figured I would just try to fix it myself. If I messed it up I could always buy the replacement.
So for the cost of some balsa (Jamestown distributers) and some west systems epoxy I was off to the races for a fraction of the shipping costs alone.

On a side note somebody stepped on the forward end of my cockpit table and cracked the Corian top. Hunter wants $1,500.00 to replace and they no longer have the that color available. Off to the local counter top guy for a quote.

Scott B · Oct 27, 2016

artboas said:
I bought it with a load of other stuff from the ex-Hunter dealer in Toronto.

Ah ha. Which one???? I miss the days of the Angus Yachts Toronto Boat Show cocktail parties. Didn't realize True North was going down until Shawn Bannon / Navy Point announced he'd picked up Jamie Crane and then saw that True North dropped all their Yachtworld ads.

vhoisington · Oct 27, 2016

So had a similar issue with my H28. Same panel same rot. The Hunter insert rotted out from the inside and was almost completely worthless.

Here is my fix (see Pic), Teak frame around a Birch (3/4" T&G paneling) floor. 4 coats of epoxy to seal everything and provide a good walking surface. Support provide on the bottom to prevent flexing (between the cables), boat name in gold across the back just for good looks. Access to the emergency tiller via the inset (yes inset not flush mounted) stainless access port.

things to fix, I should have provided inserts for the screws to keep the screw holes from providing a water ingress point, and make sure to allow for proper expansion/contraction (mine was too snug between the seats).

Good luck,

Victor

artboas · Oct 27, 2016

Brezzin said:
Back when I did my fix I also thought I should just replace it. I called and although I've forgotten the price for the panel I do remember the shipping alone was a big bucks.
Thats when i figured I would just try to fix it myself. If I messed it up I could always buy the replacement.
So for the cost of some balsa (Jamestown distributers) and some west systems epoxy I was off to the races for a fraction of the shipping costs alone.

On a side note somebody stepped on the forward end of my cockpit table and cracked the Corian top. Hunter wants $1,500.00 to replace and they no longer have the that color available. Off to the local counter top guy for a quote.

I still have my original one, and it will cost me about $750 to get it refurbished.
As you can see by my 500 or so posts, I'm really good with electronics & mechanics. But, glass isn't my thing. And with stuff like this, I don't like experimenting on my own boat when I can get a pro to do it,
I was quite lucky that True North ordered the cover with a bunch of other stuff from Hunter, and I think it got shipped up with a boat. So, I didn't have a huge shipping bill.
Honestly, there was a problem with these cover panels, and many Hunter owners found them to suffer from delamination. You may wish to talk to your local Hunter dealer, and see if they can help interface with Hunter.

artboas · Oct 27, 2016

Scott B said:
Ah ha. Which one???? I miss the days of the Angus Yachts Toronto Boat Show cocktail parties. Didn't realize True North was going down until Shawn Bannon / Navy Point announced he'd picked up Jamie Crane and then saw that True North dropped all their Yachtworld ads.

Yes, True North pulled the plug. It wasn't as tragic as the Angus bankruptcy, which was a real mess. Not sure what Hunter's plans are in the Ontario market

Hunter 49/50 cockpit insert deck flex

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