Bump damage on the stern. How severe is this?

Dec 23, 2024
1
Hunter 26 Miami
I am looking at a Hunter 26 that is in otherwise decent aesthetic condition.

It looks like someone my have backed into a rock, dock, or other boat. As you know, Hunters have a layer of hull protruding. This crack is on the protruding sheet. (It is unclear how deep the crack goes.)

Is this "run the other way" hull damage? If not, what is sufficient for treating this?
 

Attachments

Aug 18, 2018
137
Hunter 410 MDR
I would try to get inside that stern area and look for more/other damage.
Consider a 26' Hunter most likely will not go far offshore, repairing what we see is possible and would give the boat many years of usefulness.
You should be able to get the boat for a song and a dance I'd think.
If it makes you uneasy, walk away.
 
Jun 10, 2024
72
Macgregor / Hunter M25 /Hunter 240 Okanagan Lake
I recently did some fibreglass work on my 240. I could put both hands in my hole lol. If this was mine, or if I was considering buying it, if it was a good deal on a nice boat, I wouldn’t let that stop me. If it happened on mine, I would likely just clean it up with acetone and fill it with 2 part epoxy. You could shim it (doubt it will move) with wedges and press glue in with the putty knife then use large clamps when you’re done to hold it. I actually had some rough spots in the same area but down lower on mine. I ground them out and refilled while patching. I wasn’t too concerned about it.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,217
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
That is not to bad... That is nothing a little glue and a buffer can't put back together...

A little bump...
It will buff right out.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,217
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
On a serious note, inspection of the inside will help you understand the extent of the damage. Look for cracks that extend beyond the obvious damaged area.

It will likely cost several Boat Bucks to repair it to make it watertight and functional.

Getting it to showroom perfection will be challenging and require more Boat Bucks.
 
Mar 6, 2008
1,239
Catalina 1999 C36 MKII #1787 Coyote Point Marina, CA.
Pour water on it and see if water gets inside. If so, it will require to be fixed with an experienced person. Not a major problem.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,317
-na -NA Anywhere USA
@kornacle

First, I am a former Hunter dealer and very knowledgeable about the Hunter water ballast sailboats now retired.

As you suspect, it appears the boat was sitting on the trailer which was backed into something.

The hull to deck is married together with a bead of marine putty at the transom only. It appears the crack occurred in the marine putty bead. First you need to open the port locker door in the rear berth and take some photos and post them here looking toward the crack area.

Outside, take a dremel with a small ball file at low speed to remove the marine putty and stop at the fiberglass hull and deck walls. Dremel down removing alll of the cracked putty and then sand with 80 grit sandpaper the inside of the fiberglass removing any remaining putty.

There are many different epoxies; however, I found that Water Tite epoxy was the most durable but well worth the money. Apply it with a putty knife forcing it in. You will need. Dry weather with a minimum of 64 degrees and let dry overnight. It may several applications as you do not want the epoxy sagging Then sand smooth.

Borrow a paint color chart from a paint shop or hardware store and match it up to the white color of the boat or close to it. Buy the spray can designed for outside plastic paints. Sand the entire hull to deck joint and wipe off. Then cover or mask off the transom. Spray three times and you are done.

If you need my help, I would be glad to advise via phone and your number would never given out. Private message coming your way

Dave condon alias crazy Dave