I have a chance to purchase a 1984 Hunter 31' at a bargain price. The owner says the reason it is going so cheaply is that the hull shows signs of delamination--a boat inspector did the usual "tap" test and felt it was/is coming apart. The owner says it may be a misdiagnosis--the Hunter design includes some wood inner construction that may be the cause of the inspectors' concern--and the boat has always been dry. I won't be able to see the boat out of the water until the fall. I am leaning against buying this boat until then, unless anybody out there can shed light on whethor or not this is a common occurence. It seems odd that a 1984 model would already be coming apart. Any comments are appreciated!
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Allan Hadad
Get a Survey
The price of a quick turn haul and survey would be well worth it, especially if you can pick up this boat for a good price. Hopefully the boat yard would lift it out for you and leave it in the sling over lunch to give the surveyor time to make moisture measurements and laminate integrity assessments. Those boats are pretty tough. I've owned my H34 since it was new in '85 and have not had any delamination problems, even after banging around San Francisco Bay for that whole time. I hope Steve Dion can provide the same experience with his H31. If it fails the survey, get the current owner to reimburse you, then he can sink it and collect the insurance. Regards, Allan
The price of a quick turn haul and survey would be well worth it, especially if you can pick up this boat for a good price. Hopefully the boat yard would lift it out for you and leave it in the sling over lunch to give the surveyor time to make moisture measurements and laminate integrity assessments. Those boats are pretty tough. I've owned my H34 since it was new in '85 and have not had any delamination problems, even after banging around San Francisco Bay for that whole time. I hope Steve Dion can provide the same experience with his H31. If it fails the survey, get the current owner to reimburse you, then he can sink it and collect the insurance. Regards, Allan
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terry dornan
how big a problem ?
In the older models there is no core in the hull, and i would be surprised if the newer ones had any. If you are talking the cabin and deck-- that is a different issue. All kinds of core in there- But try to determine the extent of the problem. I have seen cracks that have caused delamination between fiberglass areas, as a result of a bad lay up and light resin fill. If you are talking about a 5 square foot area or so-- you can do a lot of repair for a little money. Terry
In the older models there is no core in the hull, and i would be surprised if the newer ones had any. If you are talking the cabin and deck-- that is a different issue. All kinds of core in there- But try to determine the extent of the problem. I have seen cracks that have caused delamination between fiberglass areas, as a result of a bad lay up and light resin fill. If you are talking about a 5 square foot area or so-- you can do a lot of repair for a little money. Terry
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Stephen J. Carll
NO
I have had a H31 for the last four years. I had it inspected this year and was told that water was seeping into the core by the inner toerail. The inspector said that it could be big money to repair the any rotted innercore wood. Personally I would shy away from any boat where there is known hull damage like there appears to be in the boat your looking at. My main criteria when buying a used sailboat would be the condition of the hull and condition of the engine. These two areas can end up costing the most money if there is a problem.
I have had a H31 for the last four years. I had it inspected this year and was told that water was seeping into the core by the inner toerail. The inspector said that it could be big money to repair the any rotted innercore wood. Personally I would shy away from any boat where there is known hull damage like there appears to be in the boat your looking at. My main criteria when buying a used sailboat would be the condition of the hull and condition of the engine. These two areas can end up costing the most money if there is a problem.
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Alex
I wouldn't touch it..
since delamination problems are very expensive to adequently repair. You may also discover 1-2 years from now new areas of delamination still to be repaired.. For sure the reoccuring repairs will cost more than the difference in price to a well found boat of same age.
since delamination problems are very expensive to adequently repair. You may also discover 1-2 years from now new areas of delamination still to be repaired.. For sure the reoccuring repairs will cost more than the difference in price to a well found boat of same age.
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Bryan C.
It depends
If the area of delamination is small and localized, it can be repaired. Generally holes are drilled, dried out, epoxy is injected and the holes sealed. If you are getting the boat for many thousands less than fair value might be worth considering. If the delamination covers large or multiple areas, the cure requires tearting the deck apart and replacing the core, a big job and probably not worth it for that boat
If the area of delamination is small and localized, it can be repaired. Generally holes are drilled, dried out, epoxy is injected and the holes sealed. If you are getting the boat for many thousands less than fair value might be worth considering. If the delamination covers large or multiple areas, the cure requires tearting the deck apart and replacing the core, a big job and probably not worth it for that boat
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Mac Lindsay
Tap test
Was the surveyer acually qualified? Is there any actual criteria or government certification of marine survryers? Where was this tapping done? When tapping the hull, maybe the surveyor was hearing sounds that could be different in areas where the inner grid is bonded to the hull. The Hunter 31 is a solid layup hull. I have owned a 1984 H31 since new and have had no problems at all with the hull or deck. I would suggest another survey done with a different surveyor and compare notes. Any minor repairs can be inexpensive and warrant the lower price paid for the boat. Good luck. Mac Lindsay s.v. Kitkatla 1984 H31
Was the surveyer acually qualified? Is there any actual criteria or government certification of marine survryers? Where was this tapping done? When tapping the hull, maybe the surveyor was hearing sounds that could be different in areas where the inner grid is bonded to the hull. The Hunter 31 is a solid layup hull. I have owned a 1984 H31 since new and have had no problems at all with the hull or deck. I would suggest another survey done with a different surveyor and compare notes. Any minor repairs can be inexpensive and warrant the lower price paid for the boat. Good luck. Mac Lindsay s.v. Kitkatla 1984 H31
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Bob Rutland
Second Opinion
Get a second opinion. I have a friend that just bought a 84 H31 that the surveyor diagnosed as having delamanation around the keel area. This is the worst place to have delamanation, but the price was right and he bought the boat anyway. When he went to get it fixed, the repairman cut about a 4" hole in the area of concern only to find nothing was wrong with the hull, just a missed diagnosis. Good Luck, Bob S/V H31 Lady Di II
Get a second opinion. I have a friend that just bought a 84 H31 that the surveyor diagnosed as having delamanation around the keel area. This is the worst place to have delamanation, but the price was right and he bought the boat anyway. When he went to get it fixed, the repairman cut about a 4" hole in the area of concern only to find nothing was wrong with the hull, just a missed diagnosis. Good Luck, Bob S/V H31 Lady Di II
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John
Maybe
I have a particularly high regard for the H31, as my 1983 H31 just saw us through a nasty storm in Lake Huron, and she races well too. BUT, if there is significant delamination and you have a low aptitude for handy-man type repairs, then don't buy it. I have learned to do the minor fiberglass repairs myself. there is much literature available for those willing to learn. If the delamination is in the deck near the mast step, there may be an even worse problem in the mast compression post below decks. These early Hunters also have voids in their gelcoat, so even if the delamination is minor, you will probably want to learn to do fibberglass and gelcoat repairs yourself anyway. Don't let it discourage you though, it is a well engineered boat, and sailing/enjoyment wise, you'll get a lot of bang for your buck.
I have a particularly high regard for the H31, as my 1983 H31 just saw us through a nasty storm in Lake Huron, and she races well too. BUT, if there is significant delamination and you have a low aptitude for handy-man type repairs, then don't buy it. I have learned to do the minor fiberglass repairs myself. there is much literature available for those willing to learn. If the delamination is in the deck near the mast step, there may be an even worse problem in the mast compression post below decks. These early Hunters also have voids in their gelcoat, so even if the delamination is minor, you will probably want to learn to do fibberglass and gelcoat repairs yourself anyway. Don't let it discourage you though, it is a well engineered boat, and sailing/enjoyment wise, you'll get a lot of bang for your buck.
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Jim
Ditto" on the Tap test
If you tap test the 1984 Hunter 31 you will find many different sounds as one of the other owners stated due to the bonding of the grid to the hull. there are areas that have reinforcing under them which is more solid. Don't touch the deal til you pull it from the water and can make inspection from a good surveyor.
If you tap test the 1984 Hunter 31 you will find many different sounds as one of the other owners stated due to the bonding of the grid to the hull. there are areas that have reinforcing under them which is more solid. Don't touch the deal til you pull it from the water and can make inspection from a good surveyor.
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