Hi SteveCheck compression post and bottom of the chain plate attachment (at hull liner).
We owned a 31 and loved it. A little on the tender side, like many Hunters so you need to reef early.
Hi ClaudeWelcome aboard, Ron !.. In the top header, click on "Boat Info" , "Hunter Boat Info", then in the model selection box, scroll down a bit and click on "31_83-87" , then on owner reviews.. The different yeears are listed.. look for owners who've owned the boat for a few years..
The 31 is a good sailboat.. lots of room and a pleasure to sail.. somewhat tender and has a few problems that will be noted in the owner reviews. Again, Welcome !
Thank you for your input I will certainly check out the points that you have made, re: manual bilge pump. I will be planning off shore trips no more than 150 miles so I certainly hope the gear holds up to that. Thank you again RonAs others have alluded to, DO check the mast step area for water intrusion and rotting of the support post. Friend of mine had to rebuild both. It's a "light duty" boat in design and construction, but it sails very well in inland waters, within its limits.
I've done one sea delivery in one. Fine in small seas, but like a lot of similar boats, the systems are not mean't for steady use off shore.
Electrical panel very minimal -- the owner had to add an aux. panel.
Check the factory bilge pumping -- the early-80's one I was one had one small switch-operated Rule pump and no manual pump at all. Some upgrading had to be done...
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Thanks Steve, appreciate the additional information, I am doing a bit of fact gathering at this time before I purchase.No coring below the water line.
We owned a H31 '85 and never had blisters. Generally decent quality. Now that these boats are approaching 30 there can be issues.
I appreciate your information concerning ports, rudder, rigging etc. This will also be my first foray with diesel power so I hope I obtain the same satisfaction as you seem to have had.Agreed on most points, except I don't think I would confine the 31 to inland sailing. I think she is a competent coastal boat as long as you have carefully inspected the structure and standing rigging. As said, more than a few have had problems with the compression post which can be an expensive job. The panel is very minimal and not wired to the standards one would like [spade terminals, no shrink tube]. The construction of the rudder could be a problem. After almost 30 years, anything plastic subjected to that much UV exposure is going to be suspect. Look carefully at the ports. I have never had a diesel before so I have little to compare, but I am pretty impressed with the fresh water cooled Yanmar for power and reliability.
However, when you compare the boat as it came from the factory with anything at its price, I think you will find combined with what you can get one for today, add in upgrades that may have been made by previous owners to a reasonably well kept boat, and finish with what you might add/replace, you will have a very rewarding, pretty [for the most part] and comfortable sailboat at an unbeatable cost. Unless you are looking at a blue water vessel, at least as much time will be spent "just on" the boat alone or with friends and family, as sailing. I wanted a boat that can handle 4, maybe even 6 in the slip or at anchor [though that many would tax it on a long day or overnight].
Hi KeithI am sitting on mine right now. As with anything proper care is essential. I bought it used and it had 3 PO's they had done various up grades. I have done a few different things and changed some of the up grades. The engine is very reliable never a failure to start in the 8 years I have owned it. The last PO replaced the compression post, but did not seal the hole for the mast wiring. So I pulled the mast and fixed that no issue since. I sail Lake Michigan and the boat has always been fresh water. My rigging is in very good shape. Layout in the cabin is good. No blisters, solid hull, I really like that is is not cored below the water line. She sails very close to the wind. In general my wife and I really like the boat. As far as the electrical panel unless you add a lot of extra systems it is adequate, I did add and additional one. A good coastal cruiser for sure, we have been in so big water and in Lake Michigan the period of the waves are short and it handled them well. We like ours and I would recommend it for what it was designed for coastal not blue water cruising.
Hi MikeRon,
There is a ton of information here on the site to help with your decision.
I have been very happy with my 86’ 31, which was bought as a "fixer up" project after it had sat on the hard for years. I’ve replaced thru hulls, repaired blisters, repaired the rusty keel, replace the mast compression post and have done some major rewiring. I consider these all upgrades, to what was a pretty decent boat to start with. The Yanmar, after replacing the lift pump, installing a Racor filter and rebuilding the sea water pump just purrs like a kitten!
All of this has been done over the last three years with the help and advice of fellows on this forum.
Thanks everybody!
Mike C
PS I think it looks great and sails beautifully!