Hello all, I'm brand new to all this so bare w/ me please. I want to buy a Hunter 34', 1984. I have heard everything from run away from it to it's a great boat. Someone please tell me all the bad things that I should look for before buying it as well as the good thing I can look forward to after buying it. I want to know real life pros & cons to the '84 hunter 34'. Thank you ahead of time.
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Read the owners reviews.
Tex: Read the owners reviews and look up everything on the H'34. Try to find a surveyor that is familiar with this vintage of Hunter 83-87. Ask them if they have any surveyors for these models. Generally a great boat. The only MAJOR thing is the compression post and the crossmember.
Tex: Read the owners reviews and look up everything on the H'34. Try to find a surveyor that is familiar with this vintage of Hunter 83-87. Ask them if they have any surveyors for these models. Generally a great boat. The only MAJOR thing is the compression post and the crossmember.
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Gary A.
We Love Ours
Well, we've had ours for three years now and love it more all the time. I had two different H30's before, and the difference in interior space and comfort is remarkable. One of the key purchase decisions was the ability to have two "private" sleeping areas. We got tired of having to bunk in the main cabin when guests were using the V-Berth in our H30. Just for fun, I'll post a photo of our H34 decorated for the boat parade in Oriental NC this weekend. Gary
Well, we've had ours for three years now and love it more all the time. I had two different H30's before, and the difference in interior space and comfort is remarkable. One of the key purchase decisions was the ability to have two "private" sleeping areas. We got tired of having to bunk in the main cabin when guests were using the V-Berth in our H30. Just for fun, I'll post a photo of our H34 decorated for the boat parade in Oriental NC this weekend. Gary
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Rich Wallace
We Have Had One For Five Years
You will really like the boat. We have had a 1983 34 for five years. It was our first "real" boat. It has a lot of room and the tri-cabin layout is very comfortable. Other than the compression post issue which you need to check carefully, there is not a lot of other major problem areas. The boat is very easy to maintain with reasonable access to all the major systems. Some of the upgrades we have done since we have had the boat are: completely re-done the interior cushions with new foam, upholstery, and covers; sanded and refinished the cabin sole; put teak edges on the counter tops; replaced all the weather stripping on the opening ports; replaced the knobs on the ports; installed a Heart 1000 inverter/charger; installed a microwave; replaced all the hoses on the diesel; replaced the mixing elbow on the diesel; installed a Racor filter in the fuel line; installed a PSS shaft seal; installed a shaft misalignment protector; replaced the shaft strut bushing; emptied and cleaned the fuel tank; installed a fuel gauge; had the prop modified by Kilian's; installed cable TV connections; and on and on. I just purchased all new wind instruments at the Annapolis show this fall to put on in the spring. The boat will motor at around 7 knots in flat water burning three quarters of a gallon an hour. We have had the boat out in 12 footers on Lake Erie with complete control. After all of the upgrades, someone will get a great boat as we are moving up to a Passage 42. I think you would really be pleased with the boat.
You will really like the boat. We have had a 1983 34 for five years. It was our first "real" boat. It has a lot of room and the tri-cabin layout is very comfortable. Other than the compression post issue which you need to check carefully, there is not a lot of other major problem areas. The boat is very easy to maintain with reasonable access to all the major systems. Some of the upgrades we have done since we have had the boat are: completely re-done the interior cushions with new foam, upholstery, and covers; sanded and refinished the cabin sole; put teak edges on the counter tops; replaced all the weather stripping on the opening ports; replaced the knobs on the ports; installed a Heart 1000 inverter/charger; installed a microwave; replaced all the hoses on the diesel; replaced the mixing elbow on the diesel; installed a Racor filter in the fuel line; installed a PSS shaft seal; installed a shaft misalignment protector; replaced the shaft strut bushing; emptied and cleaned the fuel tank; installed a fuel gauge; had the prop modified by Kilian's; installed cable TV connections; and on and on. I just purchased all new wind instruments at the Annapolis show this fall to put on in the spring. The boat will motor at around 7 knots in flat water burning three quarters of a gallon an hour. We have had the boat out in 12 footers on Lake Erie with complete control. After all of the upgrades, someone will get a great boat as we are moving up to a Passage 42. I think you would really be pleased with the boat.
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John Horton
Question for Rich
I also recently purchased a 1986 Hunter 34 and will take this opportunity to ask Rich a couple of questions about his upgrades. Rich, where did you get the replacement knobs for the ports. I have several that need replacing. Also, regarding the fuel guage, my boat doesn't have a fuel guage of any type so I don't know what type if any was original equipment. What type did you install? Thanks for your help. John s/v Silent Knight jhorton89@cox.net
I also recently purchased a 1986 Hunter 34 and will take this opportunity to ask Rich a couple of questions about his upgrades. Rich, where did you get the replacement knobs for the ports. I have several that need replacing. Also, regarding the fuel guage, my boat doesn't have a fuel guage of any type so I don't know what type if any was original equipment. What type did you install? Thanks for your help. John s/v Silent Knight jhorton89@cox.net
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Craig
would do it again
we have owner our 1987 34 for four seasons. we like it enough to pull the mast and move the boat to our lakehome for our anticipated retirement in two yrs. ours was just dirty and needed updating. i put on new stripes, new dodger new bimini, new main cover new main sail, new cushions, new varnish, new pumps, new batteries and as i read the owners site a new mixing elbow is coming. these are nice boats, have nice headroom and can accomodate guests witout getting in the way. the cockpit is alittle small for more than four. as others have said check the compression post. like all sailboats they arent perfect. expect spending a fair amount of time maintaining but its fun. the opening ports want to leak too. check in the locker in the aft berth for water stains and on the wall in the aft berth. thats where the water will exit from leaky ports. you can fix them though. just takes time. make sure you have the cleanest bilge in the marina and paint it gloss white. makes your neighbor feel like a bum. craig
we have owner our 1987 34 for four seasons. we like it enough to pull the mast and move the boat to our lakehome for our anticipated retirement in two yrs. ours was just dirty and needed updating. i put on new stripes, new dodger new bimini, new main cover new main sail, new cushions, new varnish, new pumps, new batteries and as i read the owners site a new mixing elbow is coming. these are nice boats, have nice headroom and can accomodate guests witout getting in the way. the cockpit is alittle small for more than four. as others have said check the compression post. like all sailboats they arent perfect. expect spending a fair amount of time maintaining but its fun. the opening ports want to leak too. check in the locker in the aft berth for water stains and on the wall in the aft berth. thats where the water will exit from leaky ports. you can fix them though. just takes time. make sure you have the cleanest bilge in the marina and paint it gloss white. makes your neighbor feel like a bum. craig
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Carl
I love the boat
I brought an 86 hunter 34 2 years ago... I have had no problem with the compression post but have had to replace hoses, fuel lines, belts, motor pulled new engine mounts and the engine support angles sand blasted and coated with a rust proofing material. Purchased 3 blade sailor prop.. Big differance in smoothness and reversing power. Engine oil pan pulled and new gasket installed.. stuffing box repack with teflon packing.. Transmission fluid changed.. Holding tank pulled, flushed and hose fitting retaped with teflon. New throddle cable,engine shutoff cable, and on and on BUT thats the way it is with a boat of this age.. In the spring the hull to keel joint will be ground out and a fiberglass mat and epoxy will take care of that crack that always shows up over the winter. I could go on but the bottom line for me was the time I saw her I fell in love with her lines and good looks... Good luck
I brought an 86 hunter 34 2 years ago... I have had no problem with the compression post but have had to replace hoses, fuel lines, belts, motor pulled new engine mounts and the engine support angles sand blasted and coated with a rust proofing material. Purchased 3 blade sailor prop.. Big differance in smoothness and reversing power. Engine oil pan pulled and new gasket installed.. stuffing box repack with teflon packing.. Transmission fluid changed.. Holding tank pulled, flushed and hose fitting retaped with teflon. New throddle cable,engine shutoff cable, and on and on BUT thats the way it is with a boat of this age.. In the spring the hull to keel joint will be ground out and a fiberglass mat and epoxy will take care of that crack that always shows up over the winter. I could go on but the bottom line for me was the time I saw her I fell in love with her lines and good looks... Good luck
J
John Miller
5 Months and would do it again
We bought ours this summer. The boat had been neglected by the previous owner and was on the hard for at least 2 years. The Compression Post on ours was OK but be sure you read a number of the posts on this subject. This is one area that can be a costly fix. Our boat is a 1985 and had the original hoses through out the boat. I replaced everything but the head/tank/hoses before launching. That is a winter project for this year. There is a ton of information on the head/tank/hoses that are in the archives. I suggest you spend some time there after you look at the compression post. The primary electrical system (12VDC) is a little anemic. Small batteries, primary wire too small (6 gage battery cables) and the stock alternator is 35 amp. If you only day sail and use a FM and VHS radio then you can live with that setup. However when you want all the goodies, then you must start thinking of upgrading the electrical. The inner liner to hull bonding is not perfect in any of the hunters for the 80's There are several articles in the archives regarding some of the problems in this area. The only other sore spot was wet fiberglass in a couple areas. Your surveyor should be able to find all of these providing the boat is out of the water for the initial survey. We love ours and would do it again in a heartbeat. Calder's book is excelent reading for all of the boat systems that will need attention.
We bought ours this summer. The boat had been neglected by the previous owner and was on the hard for at least 2 years. The Compression Post on ours was OK but be sure you read a number of the posts on this subject. This is one area that can be a costly fix. Our boat is a 1985 and had the original hoses through out the boat. I replaced everything but the head/tank/hoses before launching. That is a winter project for this year. There is a ton of information on the head/tank/hoses that are in the archives. I suggest you spend some time there after you look at the compression post. The primary electrical system (12VDC) is a little anemic. Small batteries, primary wire too small (6 gage battery cables) and the stock alternator is 35 amp. If you only day sail and use a FM and VHS radio then you can live with that setup. However when you want all the goodies, then you must start thinking of upgrading the electrical. The inner liner to hull bonding is not perfect in any of the hunters for the 80's There are several articles in the archives regarding some of the problems in this area. The only other sore spot was wet fiberglass in a couple areas. Your surveyor should be able to find all of these providing the boat is out of the water for the initial survey. We love ours and would do it again in a heartbeat. Calder's book is excelent reading for all of the boat systems that will need attention.
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Ray Blancher
5 months and would do it again.
John, you mentioned a book by Calder that was helpful to you. Would you furnish the name of the book and the complete name of the author as I am not familiar with either. Thanks.
John, you mentioned a book by Calder that was helpful to you. Would you furnish the name of the book and the complete name of the author as I am not familiar with either. Thanks.
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Ben
Had an 83 for 4 years
Bought mine in 1998. We love the boat. It is a little tender so that you have to reef a little earlier than most. I had a problem with a soft spot on the cabin sole just by the stringer that runs by the head. It seems that this is a common problem with the boat. I have been on another boat with the same problem. The bilge holds some water that won't drain into the sump so it rotted the sole out from the back side. We sail in a lot of light air 5-10 knots. It is a great light air performance boat. I also like the way the lines are run. I can almost single hand the boat. Need a little help in heavier air. My wife and I sail the boat by ourselves.
Bought mine in 1998. We love the boat. It is a little tender so that you have to reef a little earlier than most. I had a problem with a soft spot on the cabin sole just by the stringer that runs by the head. It seems that this is a common problem with the boat. I have been on another boat with the same problem. The bilge holds some water that won't drain into the sump so it rotted the sole out from the back side. We sail in a lot of light air 5-10 knots. It is a great light air performance boat. I also like the way the lines are run. I can almost single hand the boat. Need a little help in heavier air. My wife and I sail the boat by ourselves.
J
John Miller
Nigel Calder's Book is
BOATOWNER'S MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MANUAL 600 pages, 8 1/2" x 11", hardcover, fully illustrated in black and white throughout. For the second edition, released in 1996, Nigel Calder re-wrote much of the first half of the book (the electrical section) and considerably expanded the second half (the mechanical section). Both the text and illustrations were expanded by almost a third. Subjects covered include: Chapter 1: Establishing a Balanced Battery-Powered Electrical System Chapter 2: Maintaining and Troubleshooting a Battery-Powered Electrical System Chapter 3: Understanding and Troubleshooting Electrical Circuits; Proper Installation Practices Chapter 4: Corrosion, Bonding, Lightning Protection, and Grounding Chapter 5: Battery Chargers, Inverters, Wind and Water Generators, and Solar Panels Chapter 6: AC Generators and Electric Motors (AC and DC) Chapter 7: Marine Electronics Chapter 8: Diesel Engines Chapter 9: From Transmission to Propeller Chapter 10: Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Chapter 11: Plumbing, Toilets, and Through-Hull Fittings Chapter 12: Pumps and Pump Switches Chapter 13: Steering Systems, Autopilots, and Wind Vanes Chapter 14: Stoves, Cabin Heaters, Water Heaters, and Lanterns Chapter 15:Spars and Standing Rigging Chapter 16: Running Rigging, Deck Hardware, and Roller Reefing Glossary, Appendices, and Comprehensive Index I think this book is excelent. I am using many of his suggestions as I rework my boat. You can find this on line and in most marina stores. I know West and Boat US carry the book as a stock item in most stores. Happy Holidays John
BOATOWNER'S MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MANUAL 600 pages, 8 1/2" x 11", hardcover, fully illustrated in black and white throughout. For the second edition, released in 1996, Nigel Calder re-wrote much of the first half of the book (the electrical section) and considerably expanded the second half (the mechanical section). Both the text and illustrations were expanded by almost a third. Subjects covered include: Chapter 1: Establishing a Balanced Battery-Powered Electrical System Chapter 2: Maintaining and Troubleshooting a Battery-Powered Electrical System Chapter 3: Understanding and Troubleshooting Electrical Circuits; Proper Installation Practices Chapter 4: Corrosion, Bonding, Lightning Protection, and Grounding Chapter 5: Battery Chargers, Inverters, Wind and Water Generators, and Solar Panels Chapter 6: AC Generators and Electric Motors (AC and DC) Chapter 7: Marine Electronics Chapter 8: Diesel Engines Chapter 9: From Transmission to Propeller Chapter 10: Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Chapter 11: Plumbing, Toilets, and Through-Hull Fittings Chapter 12: Pumps and Pump Switches Chapter 13: Steering Systems, Autopilots, and Wind Vanes Chapter 14: Stoves, Cabin Heaters, Water Heaters, and Lanterns Chapter 15:Spars and Standing Rigging Chapter 16: Running Rigging, Deck Hardware, and Roller Reefing Glossary, Appendices, and Comprehensive Index I think this book is excelent. I am using many of his suggestions as I rework my boat. You can find this on line and in most marina stores. I know West and Boat US carry the book as a stock item in most stores. Happy Holidays John
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Richard Wallace
Knobs and Gauges
John, I ordered the knobs from Bomar who apparently now owns the Grey ports business. They look the same except they do not have the brass center. I don't recall how much they were but it was not too bad, maybe $5 each. I also bought some screens and enough of the weatherstripping to do all of the ports. The whole reason the knobs go bad in the first place is because the weatherstripping has failed and you have to screw the port down really tight to stop the leak. After the new weatherstripping, you have to just barely tighten them. I just got the gauge and sending unit from West Marine. I put the gauge just below the engine panel in the cockpit. There is an access panel in the quarter berth to get to the back side. I used a hole saw to cut the hole in the plastic tank. I needed an access to clean it so I combined the needs and used the hole to do the cleaning and then screwed the unit to the tank. I used a unit that had five or six screws around the edge. I drilled small pilot holes, went back and cleaned the tank, and then used some #8 or #10 screws with some course threads. I also sealed the gasket on both sides as well as the screws with some none hardening Permatex. It has not leaked a drop in the last three of four years.
John, I ordered the knobs from Bomar who apparently now owns the Grey ports business. They look the same except they do not have the brass center. I don't recall how much they were but it was not too bad, maybe $5 each. I also bought some screens and enough of the weatherstripping to do all of the ports. The whole reason the knobs go bad in the first place is because the weatherstripping has failed and you have to screw the port down really tight to stop the leak. After the new weatherstripping, you have to just barely tighten them. I just got the gauge and sending unit from West Marine. I put the gauge just below the engine panel in the cockpit. There is an access panel in the quarter berth to get to the back side. I used a hole saw to cut the hole in the plastic tank. I needed an access to clean it so I combined the needs and used the hole to do the cleaning and then screwed the unit to the tank. I used a unit that had five or six screws around the edge. I drilled small pilot holes, went back and cleaned the tank, and then used some #8 or #10 screws with some course threads. I also sealed the gasket on both sides as well as the screws with some none hardening Permatex. It has not leaked a drop in the last three of four years.
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Charlie
Warts
The Hunter 34 has warts which are fully discussed in the archives. All boats have warts. It is a function of money. $ for $ the Hunter has more boat but it has more warts. Compression post, starboard list, rudder problems, no access to trapped water in bilge ... and the beat goes on. It is all a function of money. I have a Hunter 34, I enjoy it warts and all. Fair winds and following seas.
The Hunter 34 has warts which are fully discussed in the archives. All boats have warts. It is a function of money. $ for $ the Hunter has more boat but it has more warts. Compression post, starboard list, rudder problems, no access to trapped water in bilge ... and the beat goes on. It is all a function of money. I have a Hunter 34, I enjoy it warts and all. Fair winds and following seas.
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Barry
Ready to Maintain it?
If you have tools and don't mind getting your hands dirty go for it. If you are the type that writes checks for repair work buy a better boat. I have had a 1983 h34 for 9 years. Barry
If you have tools and don't mind getting your hands dirty go for it. If you are the type that writes checks for repair work buy a better boat. I have had a 1983 h34 for 9 years. Barry
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Texas Newcommer
Thanks to all of you
Well, I'm going for it. If this thing looks as good out of the water as it looks in the water, I'm buying her. In 2 days we'll find out. I have to admit, this is a great site and once again, thanks to all of you. I hope all goes well and I look forward to joining your internet family.
Well, I'm going for it. If this thing looks as good out of the water as it looks in the water, I'm buying her. In 2 days we'll find out. I have to admit, this is a great site and once again, thanks to all of you. I hope all goes well and I look forward to joining your internet family.
D
Dale Wilson
Great Boat
I've had an 84' H34 for five or six years, great boat. I'd buy this boat again in a heartbeat. We've had some minor problems, but nothing to complain about. On the other hand we've had some great times, my three sons can all handle the boat and have learned a great deal about responsibility, etc. sailing her.
I've had an 84' H34 for five or six years, great boat. I'd buy this boat again in a heartbeat. We've had some minor problems, but nothing to complain about. On the other hand we've had some great times, my three sons can all handle the boat and have learned a great deal about responsibility, etc. sailing her.
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