Good price??

Oct 8, 2024
7
Hunter 33-2 Houston
Good morning everyone I’m looking to purchase a 2005 Hunter 33 in what seems to be fairly great shape. (Survey this weekend). I’m looking to see if 48K is a reasonable price for this vessel. Please advise and thank you.
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,275
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
That's a difficult question to answer as there are too many variables. Your best bet is to look at Yachtworld and some of the other online yacht sales sites and see what the asking prices are. Your surveyor should be able to give you an idea of its value which the insurance company will want.

Things to consider are age, equipment and location. Boats from the north tend to be in better shape than in the south because they are used less and have less sun exposure.
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,250
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
If the boat is in reasonable condition, I think it is a decent (maybe even “value”) price. I sail with 3 guys who have 2005 Hunter 33’s. Very nice boats.

Does it have roller furling main sail? Adds some to the value I think.

sail condition ? My friends have all replaced sails on their 33’s. Hopefully your boat does not have original sails.

Yanmar 3-cylinder (27 HP)? I believe that is the upgraded engine…

Batteries age and condition? (while easy to replace, they can be costly).

Windlass?

Feathering/Folding prop?

Deck condition? I don’t recall what Hunter used as the core in the 2005 H33, but the deck should be inspected for any soft/wet spots. But one of the nice things about this vintage boat is that Hunter moved the chain plates to the outside edge of the hull, so no deck penetrations from the chain plates to leak.

If you don’t buy it, PM me the details!


Greg
 
Oct 8, 2024
7
Hunter 33-2 Houston
Thanks Greg. Unfortunately it does have the original sails but the owner reshaped the main last year. It is a furling main and it does have the upgraded 29hp (not 27) engine. No windlass and the batteries will prob be upgraded to lithium when i buy it. Prop was replaced in 2022 but unsure if its a feathering prop. I will tell the surveyor to make sure to check the deck real well there are water spots on the vinyl ceiling in the salon, and in the after cabin that have me concerned.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,385
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
The OP writes "... in fairly great shape." For me that means a clean smooth bottom among other things. Of course the deck should be solid, the mast well supported by a compression pos sitting on solid structure, good standing rigging, no stink from the head, no sign of water leaks from ports or deck hardware, a mast that is not severely oxidized, minimal rust from SS hardware including fasteners, and a rudder that is not waterlogged or cracked. It should have cockpit canvas or at least the frames and lifelines in good shape. Cushions are a major expense so they should be well cared for. It is approaching 20 years old so I don't expect state of the art electronics, good sails, or modern ground tackle (Although a windless would be essential for me).
A lot of Hunters built in that era had refrigeration and A/C. For top price I would want that too. You could easily spend $7k on sails and $5k for fairly modest electronics. How does the boat look at $60k?
 
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Oct 8, 2024
7
Hunter 33-2 Houston
Thanks shemandr! I checked the head and actually stuck my nose in the waste deck fitting. Lol absolutely no smell whatsoever.SS hardware looks good from a layman’s perspective. This is my very first boat. I checked the keel bolts and all the deck hardware and it all appears to be in very good shape. Refrigerator was just replaced and the AC was turned on it works fine. 16000 BTU AC. Broken wind instrument and old Garmin GPS plotter. No windlass or autopilot. Mast looked ok and we did unfurl the main but it was difficult. Should you need a winch to unfurl? Sails “look” fine no tears and the stitching looks ok.
 
Jan 19, 2010
1,245
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
With boats, just like real estate ....LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.... Some of the local pricing and value is based the always present supply and demand. Then there is the affluence effect, sailing grounds and climate. Sailing grounds : fresh water boats will hold a better value than salt water boats. Northern climate boats where the season is limited and the sun is not pounding the boat year round, will also have a better value. The survey will give you a value based on local experience. Don't be afraid to make an offer.. Most sellers jack up the asking to have negotiation room..
 
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Jan 7, 2011
5,250
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
. Mast looked ok and we did unfurl the main but it was difficult. Should you need a winch to unfurl? Sails “look” fine no tears and the stitching looks ok.
You should not need a winch to unfurl the sail. It could be that the original sail is so baggy, it won’t furl and unfurl easily. Unlike a traditional main, you cannot use a baggy furling main too long because you won’t be able to furl it back in.

Did it furl IN ok?

There are some learning curves on using a furling main (angle of boom etc.) .

Greg
 
Oct 8, 2024
7
Hunter 33-2 Houston
Well i cant remember exactly if he used the winch to unfurl because i was keeping tension on the continous loop (infurl/outfurl) but i was the one to furl it back in and i gotta tell ya, i was outta breath and has to stop a couple times and thst was using the winch. Im old, fat and outta shape so theres that as well. According to the listing, the main was “reshaped” in august of 2024. Not sure what that means exactly but i would assume its to take the baggyness out of it.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,217
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
the main was “reshaped” in august of 2024. Not sure what that means exactly
Remember that pair of jeans you enjoyed wearing; then you gained a little weight? But the jeans could still just fit if you pulled real hard and got the snap to snap.

Then the doctor got after you and put you on that awful diet. You lost the weight and were feeling really good. You went to your closet to pull out those old comfort jeans.

When you pulled them on, they were baggy in all the wrong places. Well, that is what his main sail was like. Thinking quickly, he went to the sail loft with those ill-fitting jeans and told the guy, "They don't fit!" The guy got out a pair of scissors and thread, snipping here, cutting there, taking in a tuck, sewing up a new seam. "There you are, almost like new".

Based on your statement that you are new to sailing, a recut sail is not perfect, but it will get you by for a while. It is better than running down the street without your comfy jeans on. You can learn to sail and manage the boat. Then, when you have replenished the wallet, and you're ready to step up your game, a new suit of sails will feel great.:biggrin:
 
Oct 8, 2024
7
Hunter 33-2 Houston
Ok gotcha!! Thx for that analogy. Almost all true except the part about losing the weight. That has never happened lol
 
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