1989 Hunter Mast issues

[slavanaway]

I am looking at a 1989 Legend 40 as a boat to go from SF to Mexico and beyond. The basics look ok. The mast had all plastic sheaves. Couldn't look at the masthead, but I was wondering if anyone had experience replacing the sheaves and other upgrades to make the mast and boom ready for offshore.

The mast is one area. The compression post is a find method for stepping a mast, but whet else will wear and/or break. Rudder post, keel bolts, bulkheads, battery/engine mounts?

How about a windlass. Thiis boat has none, but I would not go cruising without one. What have others mounted.

Holding tank issue. I want to clean and seal the integral tank (at least I think it is integral. The owner has put a LectraSan. I assume it is on the aft head. I would put a small holding tank and overboard discharge on the front head and the Lectrasan head would be for all places where it could be used and the holding tank for others, and overboard for offshore.

What owners have taken a Legend 40 to Mexiico or beyond?

Most of the owners say the boat handles heavy air well. Light is as light does. If I wanted a heavy boat, I would get a 25K 40 footer. But can I run spinnakers? How does that main do with those swept back spreaders?

Would love input and I appreciate your time.

Sam

 

[Ed Schenck]

Have you read the Owner's Reviews under the Boat Info tab? Lots of comments about the boat, several 89s. Then there is the Owner's Modifications. Might be an answer to your windlass question. The 1989 was not a "Legend" as far as I know. That's the 40.5 series with the open transom. Here's a picture of my old dockmate's boat. It was three feet longer but literally twice as big. http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&act=photos&cid=8574&Itemid=9999&brand=Hunter .

 

[slavanaway]

I didn't think the 89 was legend either but the boat graphics has legend on the side of the boat. Both sides...

I read the reviews and did not see anything about the mast, geometry, tuning or issues. I did go to the Isomat section of the RigRite site and got some information on how to beef it up and get rid of the plastic sheaves, etc.

I thought there was a Hunter owners group that Hunter Marine hosted a few years ago but I can't find it.

I have been researching my next sailboat and I have owned Rhodes 19 to 60 foot race boat. The only one that did not oilcan was the Lidgard 60. It had and SA of 24 I think and it was a kick to sail.

The Hunter falls into the same characteristics as the Oday 39/40, Cal 39, Jeanneau SunFizz, Ericson 38, for weight. It uses different structural integrity than I am used to and the swept back spreaders I don't understand either, but I am personal friends with Max Ebb so I will get Lee Helm to fill me in. (Reference to the Max Ebb column in Latitude 38)

I will look for the windlass under mods.

I am not crazy about this site.

The forums seem to be large thread pools that are difficult to navigate. I don't remember seeing a forum for owners mods.

Thanks

 

[Ed Schenck]

Top of page under "Boat Info" you will find "Hunter Owner Modifications". Not sure where all the H40 owners are hiding. My dockmate raced his and knows the boat. But he is happily sailing a new 44. Someone will chime in I am sure. Meanwhile here is the windlass link: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...mid=267&cat_id=42&aid=7582&page=article&mn=40 . And an old website that happens to contain the H40 manual: http://home.att.net/~radars/ . I used to follow their travels. Wonder what happened?

 

[slavanaway]

I saw the website. It is a for a 87 so it is a bit different.

I saw the windlass, and another site. I prefer the windlass mounted behind the anchor locker. Need to figure out how that affects the below decks. I like the low profile verticals.

There is a racer in the bay area, Sir Leansalot. I need to get in contact with him as he will have some good information.

The other issue is the tanks. I will need scantlings to see where those are out and how they can be R&Rd.

Know of any sites where I can find out how the tanks are laid in?

 

[Ed Schenck]

One suggestion, use the "Search" tab at the top of this page. Just "tank" as a search argument and "40" for the model. You will get both 40 and 40.5 but I saw a lot of tank discussions. The other thing you will get is names of owners. When opening one of the answers you can click on the owner and send a private message with your questions. One example: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=621413&highlight=tanks .

 

[Ron McCoy]

Recommend you hire a professional sailboat surveyor. From the questions you're asking, I get the impression your experience is on the thin side. For the type of sailing you described (off-shore and into Mexico- where parts and service could be slim to none) a quality surveyor's report would probably be well worth its cost.