I live in Mass.; not bitterly cold - but it gets close. I bought my 216 because it was perfect for the type of day sailing I had in mind: Small cabin and lots of room for guests (for its size), but now I'm having second thoughts about her durability with Hunters' plan to abandon ship on this type of construction. I've fixed my share of superficial cracks already, without much fuss, but has anyone heard of this problem compromising the structural integrity of the craft?
216 Owners Dilemma
- Thread starter Erik Garcia
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I haven't heard of anything but I suppose it depends on the location of the cracks. Anything major near the centerboard trunk, chain plates, or rudder locations is problematic. Inspect yearly especially after the winter and after the season.
I spoke to Hunter a few weeks ago regarding bottom prep and casually asked why the halt on production. Economy, demand, and practicality are the main reasons. Economically maintaining a composite form process with other traditional methods is expensive. Evidently the 216 is the largest single pour form they have. Demand for a "plastic" boat is not a preference of many potential buyers, so the demand is marginal. Practicality of maintaining the composite process is no longer viable in this economy given the petroleum based nature of plastic as well as other ACP production materials required. So they had to pick 1 practical approach given these factors.
Based on all this and the frequency of cracks reported in the composite I suppose they have decided its not worth the R&D to improve the process.
I spoke to Hunter a few weeks ago regarding bottom prep and casually asked why the halt on production. Economy, demand, and practicality are the main reasons. Economically maintaining a composite form process with other traditional methods is expensive. Evidently the 216 is the largest single pour form they have. Demand for a "plastic" boat is not a preference of many potential buyers, so the demand is marginal. Practicality of maintaining the composite process is no longer viable in this economy given the petroleum based nature of plastic as well as other ACP production materials required. So they had to pick 1 practical approach given these factors.
Based on all this and the frequency of cracks reported in the composite I suppose they have decided its not worth the R&D to improve the process.
Not heard of this
I bought my 216 new in late 04 and not had experience of cracks. Does it have to with cold weather?
I bought my 216 new in late 04 and not had experience of cracks. Does it have to with cold weather?
Yes - seems to be related to the cold. This year on the Chesapeake Bay (Deltaville, VA) we experienced a freeze over back in the creek. My boat is in the water this winter until I haul out for bottom prep/paint. Guess I'll see how she handled the freeze...
There are some pictures across the forum of folks with cracks - not just limited to the 216 but other ACP Hunters - may also be in the "daysailor" category...
I keep my boat in Alberta, Canada.
The lake freezes over in the winter, so all the boats come out onto the hard.
In Jan / Feb temp goes down to -35 deg C for a week or two.
There were 2 or 3 216's in the laydown last winter. All had substancial cracks all over the hull. They all disappeared and I've not seen any of the owners to ask what Hunter was doing about it.
These cracks weren't cosmetic! I'm pretty sure these boats were right-offs.
I suspect Hunter has a lot of dissatisfied customers this side of the 49th and a lot of warranty claims!
sam
The lake freezes over in the winter, so all the boats come out onto the hard.
In Jan / Feb temp goes down to -35 deg C for a week or two.
There were 2 or 3 216's in the laydown last winter. All had substancial cracks all over the hull. They all disappeared and I've not seen any of the owners to ask what Hunter was doing about it.
These cracks weren't cosmetic! I'm pretty sure these boats were right-offs.
I suspect Hunter has a lot of dissatisfied customers this side of the 49th and a lot of warranty claims!
sam
216 cracks and discontinuance
Several months ago we talked with Hunter and yes, it is being discontinued because of the cracks that occur in winter. We live in Florida so it has not been an issue. Is anyone approaching Hunter about the structural problem and if there will be credit if a new 216 is purchased?
Several months ago we talked with Hunter and yes, it is being discontinued because of the cracks that occur in winter. We live in Florida so it has not been an issue. Is anyone approaching Hunter about the structural problem and if there will be credit if a new 216 is purchased?
stress cracks
Mikesenn
I have just found stress cracks in my supestructure: across top front of cabin and both cabin rear panels by cockpit. No hull cracks yet. We are hot weather, which probably is good. Any satisfaction from Hunter? Did you repair yours and how did you do it? Ours is 2006 model of 216.
Mikesenn
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