I am looking for any guidance prior to a survey for "issues" one might encounter when buying '85 H34. The boat I'm thinking of purchasing has been in the Chesapeake Bay at Solomons Isl primarily. I am thinking of the boat for primarily intercoastal and bay sailing and will probably not do more than weekend trips with the occasional week long adventure. Any feedback or thoughts towards an older boat would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Mike Cummings
Boat Purchase
I just researched the entire Ches. Bay last summer before I purchased my 84. Email with your details, I might have looked at the boat. I have a whole binder full of info and can give you a name of a great surveyor who really took the time. mpcsail@aol.com
I just researched the entire Ches. Bay last summer before I purchased my 84. Email with your details, I might have looked at the boat. I have a whole binder full of info and can give you a name of a great surveyor who really took the time. mpcsail@aol.com
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John Wendt
H34...great boat
The Hunter 34 is a great boat for week-end cruises and short trips with plenty of room for guests. The main concern from what I researched is possible compression post rot or deteration, of which I had none and I have an '83 which the early years were prone to develope. We sail out of Miami, great boat for the Bahamas and coastal cruising. I have the shoal draft, which around here is the only way to go. Easy to sail,comfortable,not bad in the maintance dept. We're just past the first year and still love every minute aboard her ........... Good Luck ..Happy days......... Capt. John, "Azores" '83 H34
The Hunter 34 is a great boat for week-end cruises and short trips with plenty of room for guests. The main concern from what I researched is possible compression post rot or deteration, of which I had none and I have an '83 which the early years were prone to develope. We sail out of Miami, great boat for the Bahamas and coastal cruising. I have the shoal draft, which around here is the only way to go. Easy to sail,comfortable,not bad in the maintance dept. We're just past the first year and still love every minute aboard her ........... Good Luck ..Happy days......... Capt. John, "Azores" '83 H34
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Clyde Lichtenwalner
Issues
Obviously the compresion post is on everybodys mind, and is probably the single largest repair (other than engine replacement) you are likely to run into on these boats. Otherwise the issues are the same as on any other 15 year old boat. Certainly far from perfect even when new, they are a great boat for the type of cruising you plan. In my view, they were a great value when new, and remain so. We have had ours for 18 years and she still fulfills our needs.
Obviously the compresion post is on everybodys mind, and is probably the single largest repair (other than engine replacement) you are likely to run into on these boats. Otherwise the issues are the same as on any other 15 year old boat. Certainly far from perfect even when new, they are a great boat for the type of cruising you plan. In my view, they were a great value when new, and remain so. We have had ours for 18 years and she still fulfills our needs.
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PJ
check the keel
where the ears or tabs blend into the hull. The early,models as in 83 had shorter tabs and couldn't take the stress when heeled & began to pull away from the hull, but in 84 hunter made the tabs longer to take more strain. It is no problem on my 84. Its not a big or expensive job but I just replaced (rebuilt) my lower rudder bearing. It's really not even a bearing. Check for play in the rudder. When out of the water grab the rudder at the bottom & pull to one side vs the other. If the bottom moves more than a 1/4 inch start thinking about a rebuild job. I race with another 84 & a 85 & we monitored mine for 2 years before I felt it time to do the job & now one of my sister ships will be needing work this year or next. Talk to the West System epoxy people, & ask for their spec/fact sheet on rudder rebuilding. BOL PJ
where the ears or tabs blend into the hull. The early,models as in 83 had shorter tabs and couldn't take the stress when heeled & began to pull away from the hull, but in 84 hunter made the tabs longer to take more strain. It is no problem on my 84. Its not a big or expensive job but I just replaced (rebuilt) my lower rudder bearing. It's really not even a bearing. Check for play in the rudder. When out of the water grab the rudder at the bottom & pull to one side vs the other. If the bottom moves more than a 1/4 inch start thinking about a rebuild job. I race with another 84 & a 85 & we monitored mine for 2 years before I felt it time to do the job & now one of my sister ships will be needing work this year or next. Talk to the West System epoxy people, & ask for their spec/fact sheet on rudder rebuilding. BOL PJ
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Richard Skipworth
No Problems Here
Hey Mark, We just bought an '87 last year and have had nothing but positive things happen for us. One of the biggest concerns is of course the compression post, but check the archives as there is a geat article for an excellent repair. The only other immediate concern I had when I bought the boat is that all our sea cocks were gate type. This is my number one spring commissioning project. Other than that, my wife (a novice) and I enjoyed great weekend sailing and are planning twenty days into lake Huron this summer. Best of Luck!!
Hey Mark, We just bought an '87 last year and have had nothing but positive things happen for us. One of the biggest concerns is of course the compression post, but check the archives as there is a geat article for an excellent repair. The only other immediate concern I had when I bought the boat is that all our sea cocks were gate type. This is my number one spring commissioning project. Other than that, my wife (a novice) and I enjoyed great weekend sailing and are planning twenty days into lake Huron this summer. Best of Luck!!
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John
prior owner
I used to own a 1983 34 and loved it. Seems like you already have some good advice frome the prior replies. I definately a good surveyor is important and that goes for any boat. Good luck.
I used to own a 1983 34 and loved it. Seems like you already have some good advice frome the prior replies. I definately a good surveyor is important and that goes for any boat. Good luck.
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Dale Wilson
Fine Boat
I sail my 34' on Lake Perry, KS and love it. Purchased it 4 yrs. ago and would buy it again in a minute. I keep checking for the compression problem everyone talks about, but have yet to see any problem on Trilogy. I might add that this is a boat that my wife will take out by herself with some non-sailing friends. Makes it a whole lot easier to justify "boat stuff".
I sail my 34' on Lake Perry, KS and love it. Purchased it 4 yrs. ago and would buy it again in a minute. I keep checking for the compression problem everyone talks about, but have yet to see any problem on Trilogy. I might add that this is a boat that my wife will take out by herself with some non-sailing friends. Makes it a whole lot easier to justify "boat stuff".
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