Doesn't know where things are.

kappykaplan · Jan 2, 2022

Find a knowledgeable sailor to walk through the boat with you.

artboas · Jan 2, 2022

Light air said:
I just bought an 85 Hunter 25.5. The seller was the 2nd owner but had her for at least the last 10 years. He literally knows nothing about the boat. I asked him about the tank for the sink, the stove, the toilet, and the lights but he didn't know where the water for the sink comes from, he knew the stove was alcohol but no idea how to fill/use it, never used the toilet, doesn't know about the nave lights or the VHS.
How do I find out?

Is there an engine????

sail sfbay · Jan 2, 2022

Congratulations on your new sailboat!!

Start by downloading the owner's manual from this link HunterOwners.com downloads (sailboatowners.com)

I feel your pain...........my new to me 1984 powerboat did not have a manual so I went throught the boat documenting all the equipment (capacity, manufacturerm and photo), engine, transmission,,shaft, propeller, tanks and thruhull (location, size, type, material of construction), safety equipment, Spectrum gelcoat color drew circuit diagrams of plumbing systems in a computer file and in a table. You can do the same.

jssailem · Jan 2, 2022

Welcome Back as they say @Light air. Congrats on your boat.

While it would be nice for someone to introduce you to the boat and explain everything, that does not always happen. And If it does after spending an hour with the Previous Owner, and you had a celebratory beer to christen your new boat, most of the detail that was shared is gone out of your head.. Do I turn the switch on or do I push the button first. DAMN...

I suggest you use the Navy procedure used by Captains of every ship I have met. Get a flashlight, take a weekend, and maybe a few beers and spend the time with your boat to get to know her, like you would with a new girl friend.

Open and uncover all of the coverings and voids. Look inside of every cabinet and hatch. You never know what treasures may have been left. Spend the night on the boat at the dock. Listen to the sounds she makes as the wind blows through the rigging. The time you spend now will pay rewards in the future. When you know your boat you will know how to stick that wire you want to add that will run that ne piece of electric bling you are bound to purchase in the not to far off future.

This is a special time, getting to know your boat. Enjoy it. It is not a process to be rushed.

Ralph Johnstone · Jan 2, 2022

If you are knowledgable about boats, you shouldn't have any problems.

Take each individual component, such as the head, and trace out every attachment hose making notes as per @sail sfbay. Next the potable water ................... and so forth. The H-25 would be an ideal boat for such a project. Even if you're not to boat savvy now, you will be when you finish.

Use this site as a resource for technical info and use books as well.

You're off to an excellent boating start. HOWEVER BE WARNED, once becoming proficient at this, you may become obsessed with sailing and start the journey of moving up to a bigger and better boat every few years. A journey frought with expense, excessive time consumption, and an unbridled passion for the water.
You're not married, are you

?

Shaw_2112 · Jan 2, 2022

Plus one on downloading your manual, you should find almost everything you asked about in there. Good luck and enjoy!

Siamese · Jan 3, 2022

Always keep your expectations of the previous owner low.

We just got a 2014 Catalina 315 last summer, and spent much of the summer undoing his stupidity. I could tolerate the stupidity, but this guy was an arrogant know-it-all to boot.

Regarding your new boat, and how do you find out, it's a 25.5 foot boat, so there's not a whole lot to search. Open every storage locker, and crawl into every space into which you can fit, such as under the cockpit. Hint: the water tank will be at the other end of the line that runs to the sink. Find all the thru hulls, and check them (of course, I'm hoping you did this prior to purchase). Spend a pleasant afternoon examining every nook and cranny and in short order you should gain a reasonable familiarity with your vessel.

Best of luck to you with your new boat.

markwbird · Jan 3, 2022

I had a Hunter 25.5. None of it is complicated. Head is a little self contained porta potty. No separate tank. You have to carry it out and empty it. Water fill is on the deck. Alcohol stove is standard. Fill with alcohol by pouring it into the burner right on top. Light with a match or lighter. Be very careful. Have a fire extinguisher on board. Power panel is right by the stove. It should be labeled. Battery is under the salon table. The boat sails well if the sails are in good condition and the bottom is clean. I recommend replacing the factory traveler with one than can be adjusted under load. Same goes for jib cars. I also recommend replacing the sheet winches with better quality ones.

JRacer · Jan 3, 2022

Apparently, Clewless!

Ralph Johnstone · Jan 3, 2022

Siamese said:
We just got a 2014 Catalina 315 last summer, and spent much of the summer undoing his stupidity. I could tolerate the stupidity, but this guy was an arrogant know-it-all to boot.

Somehow, in some way, this seems to be a characteristic of all previous boat owners. I hear it on our docks and I've seen a library of examples on this site.

Crusty Ol Salt · Jan 3, 2022

Light air said:
I just bought an 85 Hunter 25.5. The seller was the 2nd owner but had her for at least the last 10 years. He literally knows nothing about the boat. I asked him about the tank for the sink, the stove, the toilet, and the lights but he didn't know where the water for the sink comes from, he knew the stove was alcohol but no idea how to fill/use it, never used the toilet, doesn't know about the nave lights or the VHS.
How do I find out?

It sounds normal. Here is a link to the 3rd thread I started.

H280 Service Manual

As an old retired navy guy and an owners rep construction inspector, it baffles me that there is not a complete of installation and operation manual turned over at the time of purchase and kept up to date over the years.

I did have a survey completed by a 3rd party and that helped me identify the issues that need to be resolved moving forward.

I always have a 6 in 1 screwdriver, a good pocket knife and a crescent (adjustable) wrench with me at all times. Sunday is my sailboat day. Repairs are being made and once all the safety issues are corrected, it will go from being work day to a sailing day. Every Sunday night I go shopping for things I cannot fix. Thank the good Lord and good genetics from my fathers bloodline I am handy with my hands.

Ask questions. There are 100s maybe be 1000s of years of sailing experience and knowledge in the people on this forum. They have been very helpful.

Be fearless. What do I mean by that. If it is not working or broke when you find it. What's it going to be when you take it apart and can't fix it. Still broke. But I learn something every time.

Last but not least educate your self. Terminology is every thing in the navy and in the sailing community. That is where I started. I think everything went to hell after Bow, Stern, Port and Starboard.

Good Luck with your new family member. Now grab a screw driver and open that cover and see what is in there.

Parsons · Jan 3, 2022

jssailem said:
I suggest you use the Navy procedure used by Captains of every ship I have met. Get a flashlight, take a weekend, and maybe a few beers and spend the time with your boat to get to know her, like you would with a new girl friend.

I have done this with all my "new to me" boats, regardless of how salty or helpful the previous owner was. He's not going to be out there to yell at when the whatever handle breaks off, so it's your responsibility now. I suggest having two more things besides a flashlight - a notepad and a bucket of warm water with boat soap (IMAR smells particularly nice, but anything will do). You will find a dozen projects that need fixing now (they used wire nuts to secure the bilge pump connections?!) and after those few beers, you will forget. You will also find that people stop cleaning their boat about six months before it sells (eww!). Your level of knowledge of your boat should be like my grandfather's description of his tackle box - you can find anything in the dark after you turn it upside down a couple times.

sail sfbay · Jan 3, 2022

Parsons said:
..............
I have done this with all my "new to me" boats, regardless of how salty or helpful the previous owner was............ I suggest having two more things besides a flashlight - a notepad and a bucket of warm water with boat soap............

Great advise!! ..........AND a camera (or cell phone) to photograpgh each equipment item, thru-hull circuit, etc. This is the best way to learn about your sailboat.

Doesn't know where things are.

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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