I am kicking around the idea of selling my much loved J 29 and buying a H 34. I have owned 3 Hunters in the past a 23,25.5 and a 28.5. Loved all of them great boats. I love the speed of our J 29 and now have grown children who are showing an active interest in coming back to the boat. Any advice on the H 34 some of you could give me. Cliff
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Go for the H-36 or 35.6
Much more boat for your $$. If you get the 34 you will be wishing you got the 36 within a year.
Much more boat for your $$. If you get the 34 you will be wishing you got the 36 within a year.
We moved from an H28.5 to an H33.5
That was the perfect jump for our family of 3 plus dog. It may only be 5' LOA but the increase in interior volume is tremendous. Plus, we got a lot of the amenities that we didn't have on the 28.5. I think you'll probably be OK with an H34. After all, everybody wishes their boat was a few feet bigger. If you got a 36 you'd be wishing it was a 38. It's called "Boat owner's disease".
That was the perfect jump for our family of 3 plus dog. It may only be 5' LOA but the increase in interior volume is tremendous. Plus, we got a lot of the amenities that we didn't have on the 28.5. I think you'll probably be OK with an H34. After all, everybody wishes their boat was a few feet bigger. If you got a 36 you'd be wishing it was a 38. It's called "Boat owner's disease".
h34
You'll like the performance especially up wind with a PHRF of 138. The headroom and interior room is good and the prices are reasonable. here's the down side: a rusty iron keel, weak rudders, leaks and the infamous compression post problem. You could pick a worse boat I suppose but the good news is most of these are near the bottom of depreciation. Ever wonder why a Catalina 34 costs more?
You'll like the performance especially up wind with a PHRF of 138. The headroom and interior room is good and the prices are reasonable. here's the down side: a rusty iron keel, weak rudders, leaks and the infamous compression post problem. You could pick a worse boat I suppose but the good news is most of these are near the bottom of depreciation. Ever wonder why a Catalina 34 costs more?
Cliff...
Daryl is the resident poobah from a bad marriage to an H34. There's a number of us who have had much better luck and think highly of the boat. It's a twenty year old product that's bound to have some aging problems, but it's not worse than many other older production boats. The 1983 mid-run models may be the best of the litter as Hunter began cost cutting the next year through the rest of the run into 1987. Over 1,200 were built, so there are bound to be some issues at that volume level. But, thanks to this forum, there probably are few problems that others haven't encountered and have an answer for. The boat handles great, is a bit tender with the shoal keel, but with experienced sailors, will perform well in all conditions (two crossed the Atlantic last year!) in good hands. It's roomy inside and the layout works well. Hunter packed a lot of features in the H34 that are carried over into the newer series a bit differently. Joe Mullee, Fred Ficarra, Long Is. Alan, and others will chime in as well. Use a good surveyor and make a good deal. You'll enjoy the results.
Daryl is the resident poobah from a bad marriage to an H34. There's a number of us who have had much better luck and think highly of the boat. It's a twenty year old product that's bound to have some aging problems, but it's not worse than many other older production boats. The 1983 mid-run models may be the best of the litter as Hunter began cost cutting the next year through the rest of the run into 1987. Over 1,200 were built, so there are bound to be some issues at that volume level. But, thanks to this forum, there probably are few problems that others haven't encountered and have an answer for. The boat handles great, is a bit tender with the shoal keel, but with experienced sailors, will perform well in all conditions (two crossed the Atlantic last year!) in good hands. It's roomy inside and the layout works well. Hunter packed a lot of features in the H34 that are carried over into the newer series a bit differently. Joe Mullee, Fred Ficarra, Long Is. Alan, and others will chime in as well. Use a good surveyor and make a good deal. You'll enjoy the results.
Oday 34
Clif, I have a similar 28.5 to your old Red Dog. I've a sailed on and raced against both shoal & deep keel Hunter 34's and I regularly crew on a friend's O'Day 34 (deep keel). I feel the O'Day is a better performer than the deep keel Hunter 34 and a better value. I doubt you'd like the lack of pointing & performance of the shoal draft versions of either boat.
Clif, I have a similar 28.5 to your old Red Dog. I've a sailed on and raced against both shoal & deep keel Hunter 34's and I regularly crew on a friend's O'Day 34 (deep keel). I feel the O'Day is a better performer than the deep keel Hunter 34 and a better value. I doubt you'd like the lack of pointing & performance of the shoal draft versions of either boat.
Yes it me, Red Dog
Yes I did fall off the Hunter Map for a while. I have had a real good time with the J 29 and really love the boat. Life has changed and our kids are grown and we find we would have a better time with something with an interior. I have always been a fan of the Hunters owing 3 and know all the down sides and up sides. I really like the 35 and the 35.5 but would rather have a mast head for the winds of Lake Erie. Plus I am not a big fan of the keel on the 35 and 35.5 and the deep keels of these boats are to deep for the current dock. I need to stay in the 5'6" -5'8" draft, anything else is to deep. Hey Warren why contact Joe Mullee? I will need to sell the J 29 1st, owning 2 boats like some of you know is no fun. O I am fully up to speed on the woes of owning a cast iron keel and am we versed in boats from this time era. Looking around the net and the H 34 seems to be the best deal out there. Red Dog (H 28.5) was and still is a GREAT BOAT and is for sale here on HOW and I am sure Pat would love to sell her back to me but I want something bigger for the kids when they come up to the boat. So my questions for the 34 drivers are any of you racing the boat? Cliff H 23 H 25.5 Tripp 26 H28.5 J29 future H 34
Yes I did fall off the Hunter Map for a while. I have had a real good time with the J 29 and really love the boat. Life has changed and our kids are grown and we find we would have a better time with something with an interior. I have always been a fan of the Hunters owing 3 and know all the down sides and up sides. I really like the 35 and the 35.5 but would rather have a mast head for the winds of Lake Erie. Plus I am not a big fan of the keel on the 35 and 35.5 and the deep keels of these boats are to deep for the current dock. I need to stay in the 5'6" -5'8" draft, anything else is to deep. Hey Warren why contact Joe Mullee? I will need to sell the J 29 1st, owning 2 boats like some of you know is no fun. O I am fully up to speed on the woes of owning a cast iron keel and am we versed in boats from this time era. Looking around the net and the H 34 seems to be the best deal out there. Red Dog (H 28.5) was and still is a GREAT BOAT and is for sale here on HOW and I am sure Pat would love to sell her back to me but I want something bigger for the kids when they come up to the boat. So my questions for the 34 drivers are any of you racing the boat? Cliff H 23 H 25.5 Tripp 26 H28.5 J29 future H 34
Not a fan of the backstay less boats
I am not a big fan of the boats after the 34 era. I really don't like the backstay less boats and have found in racing the non overlapping headsail designs do not perform as well. Many times I have spotted a sail on the horizon and reeled them in on my J 29 to find out they were a newer design Hunter 35-7-8 something and we would roll past them and then they would be a sail on the horizon again but behind us. These would be the newer design boats. The J 29 is a awsome boat fastest I have ever sailed and doing 12-15 knots with the kite up is something everyone should experance. I have kind of settled on the H 34 but I am open to suggestions. Price is also a factor for me and I would likemto stay in the under $35K range Cliff "Red Dog" is back
I am not a big fan of the boats after the 34 era. I really don't like the backstay less boats and have found in racing the non overlapping headsail designs do not perform as well. Many times I have spotted a sail on the horizon and reeled them in on my J 29 to find out they were a newer design Hunter 35-7-8 something and we would roll past them and then they would be a sail on the horizon again but behind us. These would be the newer design boats. The J 29 is a awsome boat fastest I have ever sailed and doing 12-15 knots with the kite up is something everyone should experance. I have kind of settled on the H 34 but I am open to suggestions. Price is also a factor for me and I would likemto stay in the under $35K range Cliff "Red Dog" is back
Me neither
Giving up critical sail controls is a bad move. Too many skippers don't realize the downside of the loss until they run into shaping problems especially in higher winds. Then they are stuck with trying to figure out what went wrong. For sitting in the marina and entertaining a no backstay boat is a plus but out on the water where sailing is involved its a negative.
Giving up critical sail controls is a bad move. Too many skippers don't realize the downside of the loss until they run into shaping problems especially in higher winds. Then they are stuck with trying to figure out what went wrong. For sitting in the marina and entertaining a no backstay boat is a plus but out on the water where sailing is involved its a negative.
Review Not so good on the H 34
I just read the review from Practical Sailor and the H 34 did not fair so well and is givng me some 2nd thoughts. I am going to pass on the H 34. Cliff
I just read the review from Practical Sailor and the H 34 did not fair so well and is givng me some 2nd thoughts. I am going to pass on the H 34. Cliff
cliff
cliff, there are many good sailboats to choose from out there in this size range, but in this life i chose the h34. it was the price point, and the fact they were still in business that helped me make my choice. i liked the way it looked too. very modern, and non boxy. and ive found there are inexpensive solutions to most of the problems related to this model, and mentioned in the practical sailor reveiw. first and most important is compression post. at 24 yrs old mine is looking healthy, and i would presume all others that lasted this long, are good for life, if common sense prevails adjusting the rig, and sealing any leaks entering the near the mast. ive read there were 1 or 2 guys at the factory, improperly shaping the mast wiring conduit, weakening the mast post, and 2ndly, the water leaking to the support beam through a hole for the 6 conducter cable, that runs to the wind gauge on top of the mast. seal the hole where it enters the cabin roof. next on the list was the iron keel. oddly shaped for its time, the long cord enabled 5000 lbs. of ballast to be spread out, keeping the draft slightly under 6', and the h34 would also inherit good sea keeping abilities from this design, very similar in design to the famous cal 40. this keel is as strong as hell as i discovered my first year. i skipped over a 7' boulder in 12' of water. not even a dent! groundings are a piece of cake too. after 24 yrs, it's maybe 4 or 5 oz. lighter. just sand, prime, and paint. youll get over it. as far as all the leaks, the windows are of a horrible design that drain only when you heal 30 degrees or more? put new rubber seals in them, and tighten them just enough to prevent distortion. cork up the main seam on the roof too. it takes a monsoon to really bother anyone. after all its only a boat, not a condo. the hull liner was also a problem holding water. seep holes in the bilge fixed that, and the floors are now drier after excessive heeling. and another thing practical sailor mentioned was the the scary rig. most of the owner/sailors that complained about it were still living in the old school where 1 straight spreader was most common. that was the 70 and 80s. today its common knowledge the dual swept back spreaders are much more efficeint, and reliable, period. look at the new swan 42. for 750gs you can get everything the h34 had 25 years ago. and shes just as tender or more, if it doesnt have a full crew onboard. but its one hell of a ride. white knuckle sailing in only 12 knots of wind. timid sailors need not apply. wow, just like the h34. [just kidding guys]. a switch to a smaller 125% headsail takes care of this. back to you cliff, the obvious dividend the h34 will leave you is plenty of change in your pocket. weekend overniters will be much more comfortable too. there's much more cabin headroom, 2 privite berths and others that can sleep up to 7, a roomy shower, and head, a good sized galley, and best of all, a bullit proof yanmar diesel that burns .5 gallons an hour. get ready for 5$ a gallon this summer. and lastly, on the way home you will leave most of the other mid 30' cruisers behind. how much is that worth? for around 35 grand, i got my moneys worth. in another life, i still dream of a oyster 54.
cliff, there are many good sailboats to choose from out there in this size range, but in this life i chose the h34. it was the price point, and the fact they were still in business that helped me make my choice. i liked the way it looked too. very modern, and non boxy. and ive found there are inexpensive solutions to most of the problems related to this model, and mentioned in the practical sailor reveiw. first and most important is compression post. at 24 yrs old mine is looking healthy, and i would presume all others that lasted this long, are good for life, if common sense prevails adjusting the rig, and sealing any leaks entering the near the mast. ive read there were 1 or 2 guys at the factory, improperly shaping the mast wiring conduit, weakening the mast post, and 2ndly, the water leaking to the support beam through a hole for the 6 conducter cable, that runs to the wind gauge on top of the mast. seal the hole where it enters the cabin roof. next on the list was the iron keel. oddly shaped for its time, the long cord enabled 5000 lbs. of ballast to be spread out, keeping the draft slightly under 6', and the h34 would also inherit good sea keeping abilities from this design, very similar in design to the famous cal 40. this keel is as strong as hell as i discovered my first year. i skipped over a 7' boulder in 12' of water. not even a dent! groundings are a piece of cake too. after 24 yrs, it's maybe 4 or 5 oz. lighter. just sand, prime, and paint. youll get over it. as far as all the leaks, the windows are of a horrible design that drain only when you heal 30 degrees or more? put new rubber seals in them, and tighten them just enough to prevent distortion. cork up the main seam on the roof too. it takes a monsoon to really bother anyone. after all its only a boat, not a condo. the hull liner was also a problem holding water. seep holes in the bilge fixed that, and the floors are now drier after excessive heeling. and another thing practical sailor mentioned was the the scary rig. most of the owner/sailors that complained about it were still living in the old school where 1 straight spreader was most common. that was the 70 and 80s. today its common knowledge the dual swept back spreaders are much more efficeint, and reliable, period. look at the new swan 42. for 750gs you can get everything the h34 had 25 years ago. and shes just as tender or more, if it doesnt have a full crew onboard. but its one hell of a ride. white knuckle sailing in only 12 knots of wind. timid sailors need not apply. wow, just like the h34. [just kidding guys]. a switch to a smaller 125% headsail takes care of this. back to you cliff, the obvious dividend the h34 will leave you is plenty of change in your pocket. weekend overniters will be much more comfortable too. there's much more cabin headroom, 2 privite berths and others that can sleep up to 7, a roomy shower, and head, a good sized galley, and best of all, a bullit proof yanmar diesel that burns .5 gallons an hour. get ready for 5$ a gallon this summer. and lastly, on the way home you will leave most of the other mid 30' cruisers behind. how much is that worth? for around 35 grand, i got my moneys worth. in another life, i still dream of a oyster 54.
Vinn
Thanks for your input, my biggest problem is owning a J 29. This is one of the fastest 30 foot boats out there not including any of the new sleds. There will always be somthing faster. But having owned this type of boat going to something like the H 34 would be a killer for me. My J 29 is faster then the H 34 and screaming along at 15 knots for hours is something one does not forget. We have done this many times. The J 29 does not offer anythning that the H 34 does down below I can sleep 6 but we must pile all our gear in the center of the boat when sleeping and move all the sails on deck. I am getting out of racing but still want a boat that sails very well. I am sure the H 34 sail's well until you have sailed on a J 29. Owning boats is like a Ford vs Chevy thing. We have decided to spend a little extra money and move onto a J 35. The J 35 PHRF number makes it twice as fast as the H 34. This will give us all the extra room we want we will also be able to cook on it. It has a spartin interior and all the stuff needed but not all the fancy stuff. There is a price to pay for speed. So Thanks for all the input and if your sailing on Lake Erie around the Islands this summer and get run down by a J 29 named Turtle Stampede it will be me. Cliff
Thanks for your input, my biggest problem is owning a J 29. This is one of the fastest 30 foot boats out there not including any of the new sleds. There will always be somthing faster. But having owned this type of boat going to something like the H 34 would be a killer for me. My J 29 is faster then the H 34 and screaming along at 15 knots for hours is something one does not forget. We have done this many times. The J 29 does not offer anythning that the H 34 does down below I can sleep 6 but we must pile all our gear in the center of the boat when sleeping and move all the sails on deck. I am getting out of racing but still want a boat that sails very well. I am sure the H 34 sail's well until you have sailed on a J 29. Owning boats is like a Ford vs Chevy thing. We have decided to spend a little extra money and move onto a J 35. The J 35 PHRF number makes it twice as fast as the H 34. This will give us all the extra room we want we will also be able to cook on it. It has a spartin interior and all the stuff needed but not all the fancy stuff. There is a price to pay for speed. So Thanks for all the input and if your sailing on Lake Erie around the Islands this summer and get run down by a J 29 named Turtle Stampede it will be me. Cliff
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