I'm considering a Hunter 18.5 as a first sailboat. The boat I'm looking at is a '91 with wing keel. It's in great shape however upon close inspection I can see spider like crack in the fiberglass surface around the mast step and where the cockpit deck and bench meet. Does anyone know if this is normal where and tear or should I be concerned? Thanks.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
John Goacher
Article
Might be a concern, or it might not. Gelcoat cracks are so common that they are a normal part of boating life, but they also might be an indication of a problem. Visit this site for a good article on the subject: http://marinesurvey.com/yacht/ScressCracking_1.htm John Goacher s/v Windbreaker
Might be a concern, or it might not. Gelcoat cracks are so common that they are a normal part of boating life, but they also might be an indication of a problem. Visit this site for a good article on the subject: http://marinesurvey.com/yacht/ScressCracking_1.htm John Goacher s/v Windbreaker
J
jack everitt
18.5
MY FIRST BOAT AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE WAS WITH A 18.5. THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE BOAT WAS IN LIGHT WIND. THE BOAT LACKED STEERAGE AND WANTED TO DRIFT LEEWARD. THIS CAUSE SOME TENSE MOMENTS AROUND OTHER BOATS. AFTER READING ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE WING KEEL, THE FASTER THE WATER PASSES AROUND AND OVER THE WING THE BETTER CONTROL YOU HAVE. THE CABIN IS ALSO SMALL AFTER YOU STORE ALL YOUR GEAR FOR AN OVERNIGHT. I NOW HAVE A 23.5 WHICH IS EASIER TO SAIL AND A LITTLE MORE ROOM. JACK RESPITE
MY FIRST BOAT AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE WAS WITH A 18.5. THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE BOAT WAS IN LIGHT WIND. THE BOAT LACKED STEERAGE AND WANTED TO DRIFT LEEWARD. THIS CAUSE SOME TENSE MOMENTS AROUND OTHER BOATS. AFTER READING ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE WING KEEL, THE FASTER THE WATER PASSES AROUND AND OVER THE WING THE BETTER CONTROL YOU HAVE. THE CABIN IS ALSO SMALL AFTER YOU STORE ALL YOUR GEAR FOR AN OVERNIGHT. I NOW HAVE A 23.5 WHICH IS EASIER TO SAIL AND A LITTLE MORE ROOM. JACK RESPITE
T
Travis Foxx
18.5 Owner
I purchased a '88 18.5 summer before last, and love it. I have added a lot of things to it to make it "camp-able", and have never figured out if they originally came with the mast lights, antenna, water tank, and stove, or if mine was stripped somewhere along the way, but it's well set-up now. My wife and I and a 6' tall friend slept aboard in Port Townsend last weekend, and we had enough room, including gear. It was even more comfortable when it was just my wife and I (she's only 5" 3"). I find it simple, fast, and easy to trailer/launch/retrieve. I don't care for water-ballasted boats, so will keep this one until we can afford to step into one large enough to have a fixed keel, one we'll keep moored.
I purchased a '88 18.5 summer before last, and love it. I have added a lot of things to it to make it "camp-able", and have never figured out if they originally came with the mast lights, antenna, water tank, and stove, or if mine was stripped somewhere along the way, but it's well set-up now. My wife and I and a 6' tall friend slept aboard in Port Townsend last weekend, and we had enough room, including gear. It was even more comfortable when it was just my wife and I (she's only 5" 3"). I find it simple, fast, and easy to trailer/launch/retrieve. I don't care for water-ballasted boats, so will keep this one until we can afford to step into one large enough to have a fixed keel, one we'll keep moored.
P
Peter
I've had my 18.5 for two years now and sail it in Lake Erie. Before I bought any sort of boat I'd have it surveyed, and would ask the surveyor about the cracks near the mast step. Mine has a few cracks in the gelcoat near cleats, etc., but these are not a concern. Overall I like the boat, but I do think there are others about the same size that I might like better. I intend to keep mine, but there are some things about it I'd change if I could. I decided very early that I would not try to trailer it as it is not easy to trailer and difficult to rig -- it sits high on the trailer and, to me, at least, feels very unstable while I'm walking around 8 - 10 feet in the air while the boat is on the trailer. Also, the keel means that you need either a tongue extendor or a very steep ramp to get the boat into the water. Some ramps are just not steep enough, and it is embarrassing to find you can't get the boat into the water while half a dozen power boat jockies stand back watching you. I keep it at a marina on Lake Erie, and to me it is worth the money I pay for the space not to have to rig it more than once a season. I don't like the way the inside is laid out, but I am planning to change that, if I can do it. The fixed keel makes it a stable boat and I think it sails beautifully. I suggest that you learn how to reef the main, because I've discovered that it sails best in higher winds with a single or double reef in the main. The size will save you lots of money over bigger boats, while the fixed keel gives you advantages in stability that most smaller boats don't have. If you'd like more info on the boat please feel free to email me at pkozup@juno.com -- also, if you're near northern Ohio, let me know. Have fun, it's a good little boat. Peter on S/V Katy Kaye -- Geneva, Ohio.
B
Brent Stiles
New Owner
I purchased an "88 model a month ago. It also has cracks where the cockpit benches meet the floor. Not a problem as long as they aren't large enough to allow water to leak in the cabin. Great boat, we upgraded from a 16' Sunbird daysailer. Look for a tongue extender, you may need it for shallow ramps. We used ours to launch it at Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio. We keep the boat at a slip there.
I purchased an "88 model a month ago. It also has cracks where the cockpit benches meet the floor. Not a problem as long as they aren't large enough to allow water to leak in the cabin. Great boat, we upgraded from a 16' Sunbird daysailer. Look for a tongue extender, you may need it for shallow ramps. We used ours to launch it at Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio. We keep the boat at a slip there.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.