1978 H33 keel issue

[congoboard]

I am looking at a 1978 Hunter 33 - it is the streamlined Cherubini model in great shape except for the keel issue in the photo. Should I be scared off by this ? There appears to be a slight deck depression at the mast - no more than 1/4" and no sound of water in the substrate. What precautions would you take ?

 

[Ed Schenck]

It is hard to give up on such a rare boat. But that could be cause enough. Is that the hull to keel joint where the fiberglass meets the lead? Difficult to tell from the pictures. Most old boats have the keel-hull smile. I filled mine with 5200 ten years ago and it has not changed. But yours is different somehow. I guess I would recommend a good surveyor.

 

[sandpiper10471]

I don't see the keel gap being a problem. This is a very common situation and an easy fix. Torquing the keel bolts is in order too.

Of greater concern is the mast step depression. Again, a common issue with the 33. The coring has likely disintegrated due to water infiltration. Again, not an impossible fix or something to ruin the deal but it is a bit of glass work to fix, and is a structural concern. And if the step is pooched, then it is likely that the rest of the deck is wet too.

Get a moisture survey done.

 

[SamLust]

That crack line does not appear to be following the keel to stub joint as I remember it. It looks like failing fairing compound. I wouldn't swear to that till I touched it with a hammer.

The deck on my 33 does not have core under the mast step. In the void between the deck and the liner is a big glob of what appears to be cured resin of some sort; what I believe JC II has referred to as "mish-mash". Even if there is compressed core there that particular area is an easy fix and could be a good reason to bargain even more agressively.

 

[sandpiper10471]

Sam is right. The line doesn't exactly follow the joint but is in proximity. I have seen this situation often.
It is going back quite a few years since I did the mast step on my 79 and I no longer own the boat so my accuracy here is questionable. Seems to me, going from top to bottom of the deck laminate under and around the mast step is as follows.
- gelcoat and chopper gun glass
- 1/4 inch plywood
- chopper gun glass at same level as rest of deck
- 1/2 inch balsa
- glass
- liner with no spacing above

Interestingly, the deck of the 37C is cored with 3/4 inch plywood blocks and the raised area around the mast is a sandwich of sheet metal.

Again, neither issue would scare me away from the boat. However, your first photo shows a pretty rough bottom. Can't tell from the photo what the issue is.

 

[congoboard]

Thanks for all the great advice. It gave me enough confidence to make an offer. The owner has accepted my offer (subject to survey acceptable to buyer of course) and I am on to the survey phase.

In searching the history of the boat it seems to be rather rare. It looks more like the "Raider" that Cherubini designed in 1977 for his brothers New Jersey boat works than the traditional 33. (Perhaps not to everyone's taste.) Does any one know anything about this models history ?

 

[SamLust]

Same hull and interior. Look IS similar to Raider (good catch). But TOTALLY different boats. Only piece that is the same aside from off the shelf hardware like toe rails and hatches is the keel casting. raider's keel stub is about a foot deeper so it gets deeper draft with the same keel. Sloped deck is obvious difference. My guess is there was consumer resistance oi the look so it was changed in 1980 or so. I can never remember that part. Cockpit looks the same as the later boat but is a different mold. Subtle differences. Rig was, as i recall Schaeffer with a small baby stay from approximately the v-berth bullkhead area up the the spreaders. Changed to Kenyon with squared deck. Usually a 2QM Yanmar. Later the 2GM raw water Yanmar. Ports started as trapezoidal "Carlton Steck" style, changed to Plastic, Gray opening leakers with the square deck, 3 large, 2 small on each side.

There's more stuff in my brain if you want it, just ask. There's only a couple of guys who have committed as much butchery and intimacy on a Hunter 33 as I have.

Sam

Note: On the survey pay close attention to the packing nut on the rudder shaft, inside way back in the stern where it's almost impossible to get to. You have to pull off a cheapo cover panel at the aft end of the quarter berth. 4 or so screws and it's off. Crawl in, enjoy.

 

[congoboard]

So had the survey. Very wet deck all over but especially at the mast step. Compression post base severely corroded. Bilge water leaking out through the crack in the keel to keel stub joint. It was hard to walk away from such a cool boat but I don't have the time or money to spend on fixing her right - and want to spend what limited time I do have sailing. Sorry not to be joining the H33 brotherhood just yet. Thanks again for all the advice.