I am about to inspect a 1983 H34 shoal draft cruiser with a view to purchase. Are there any specific design or age problems with this model that I should be aware of? Also the boat has both swept back spreaders AND a back-stay which is confusing. Would this be a retro-fit by some previous owner or original Hunter? Thanks to all out there for your help.
H34 problem areas
- Thread starter geoff16655
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Standard Rig.
Geoff: The swept back spreaders and backstay's were standard on the B&R Rigs of this era 83-87. The one major area to have checked is the compression post. The early models like you are looking at did not have much of a problem with this, but many later models had leaks at the compression post. Check out the owner's reviews on this model and see what owner's that have owned these boats for some time have to say. They are very roomy and sail well in winds under 15 kts. They need to be reefed early, but the trade off is that they do okay in light air. Some of the early models had a problem with some oil canning in the forward hull, but I have seen many of these models and have only seen it on one 31' model. Our 1985 H'31 has been in fresh warm water since it was new and has never had any blisters. The boat were suppose to have an epoxy barrier coat when new, but I am not sure that all dealers did this prior to launching.
Geoff: The swept back spreaders and backstay's were standard on the B&R Rigs of this era 83-87. The one major area to have checked is the compression post. The early models like you are looking at did not have much of a problem with this, but many later models had leaks at the compression post. Check out the owner's reviews on this model and see what owner's that have owned these boats for some time have to say. They are very roomy and sail well in winds under 15 kts. They need to be reefed early, but the trade off is that they do okay in light air. Some of the early models had a problem with some oil canning in the forward hull, but I have seen many of these models and have only seen it on one 31' model. Our 1985 H'31 has been in fresh warm water since it was new and has never had any blisters. The boat were suppose to have an epoxy barrier coat when new, but I am not sure that all dealers did this prior to launching.
Look here for some scoop.
After you surf this site, my web site has info. See what happens when these boats are stored in the tropics in a hurricane or when stored and no one removes the cockpit drain debris.
After you surf this site, my web site has info. See what happens when these boats are stored in the tropics in a hurricane or when stored and no one removes the cockpit drain debris.
Companionway leaks
If the boat had a dodger, there would probably be no problems. Many H34's have developed leaks stemming from the plexi-glass slider and that whole assembly. Check for stains on the carpet liner behind the sliding drawers on port and starboard. Water penetration usually goes to starboard because of the slight starboard list. Compression posts - Steve mentioned that but bears repeating. Several people complain about the iron keel and rust. Doesn't bother me an Iota. My motto is a little rust will never kill ya. Great boat with lots of headroom! Love mine.
If the boat had a dodger, there would probably be no problems. Many H34's have developed leaks stemming from the plexi-glass slider and that whole assembly. Check for stains on the carpet liner behind the sliding drawers on port and starboard. Water penetration usually goes to starboard because of the slight starboard list. Compression posts - Steve mentioned that but bears repeating. Several people complain about the iron keel and rust. Doesn't bother me an Iota. My motto is a little rust will never kill ya. Great boat with lots of headroom! Love mine.
H34 Issues
,,,they leak ...the rudders are poorly designed and prone to failure ...the compression post is wood and likely rotten if original ...they leak ...water trapped in the floor gridwork eventually stinks ...they leak ...the keel is iron and like rusty ...they leak a lot of boat for the money, a good coastal cruiser, lots of room and good performance but they leak
,,,they leak ...the rudders are poorly designed and prone to failure ...the compression post is wood and likely rotten if original ...they leak ...water trapped in the floor gridwork eventually stinks ...they leak ...the keel is iron and like rusty ...they leak a lot of boat for the money, a good coastal cruiser, lots of room and good performance but they leak
Hunter 34 rudders
Thanks to all contributors for very useful info. Another query concerns the H34 rudder. I read that the original rudder was too small and too weak and resulted in a re-design which appeared on '84 boats onwards . Apparently many owners of early boats retro-fitted the new ruddr. Can anyone give me old/new rudder dimensions (or other means of distinguishing between the two) so I can check which one I've got.
Thanks to all contributors for very useful info. Another query concerns the H34 rudder. I read that the original rudder was too small and too weak and resulted in a re-design which appeared on '84 boats onwards . Apparently many owners of early boats retro-fitted the new ruddr. Can anyone give me old/new rudder dimensions (or other means of distinguishing between the two) so I can check which one I've got.
I've read here that the very first 34's made had
rudders that were sized for the 31. They're sister ships but the 31 rudder is too small for the 34. Mine's fine after 21 years. And mine doesn't leak. Have you met Daryl?
rudders that were sized for the 31. They're sister ships but the 31 rudder is too small for the 34. Mine's fine after 21 years. And mine doesn't leak. Have you met Daryl?
h34 Rudders
Only the early 1983 boats had the wrong rudders and a few were changed if the owner complained within 12 months. The bad one measured about11 inches front to back at the bottom and the correct one was about 16". I know this because I had three rudders on mine. Even the correct one had a poor besign and problems at the welded points
Only the early 1983 boats had the wrong rudders and a few were changed if the owner complained within 12 months. The bad one measured about11 inches front to back at the bottom and the correct one was about 16". I know this because I had three rudders on mine. Even the correct one had a poor besign and problems at the welded points
H34 rudders
Sorry, never could read between the lines. is there some other issue here? I'm asking how to distinguish an 'early' rudder from the later design.
Sorry, never could read between the lines. is there some other issue here? I'm asking how to distinguish an 'early' rudder from the later design.
Get over it , Daryl...
move on with YOUR life. Geoff, the H34 is a great boat because the problems are well know and people like Fred have helped the rest of us by fixing them and documenting it. I'm the fifth owner of mine ('83, Hull #113, Yanmar engine) and have no more problems than those with other makes of the same vintage. A brand new Wasquez (?) 40 at my marina was delivered recently with its sanitary plumbing all wrong. Any old boat has problems--be prepared to fix something!
move on with YOUR life. Geoff, the H34 is a great boat because the problems are well know and people like Fred have helped the rest of us by fixing them and documenting it. I'm the fifth owner of mine ('83, Hull #113, Yanmar engine) and have no more problems than those with other makes of the same vintage. A brand new Wasquez (?) 40 at my marina was delivered recently with its sanitary plumbing all wrong. Any old boat has problems--be prepared to fix something!
OK guys, got what I need and many thanks. Sure an old boat will always need something fixing but Colombia ain't Florida for spares or skills.
I haven't had my dodger for almost a
month "new zippers and 2 new windows" and the companionway has NOT leak at all. I do make sure that the weep holes at the end are always cleared. My compression post is fine no leaks or sagging there. I did have a leak after a three day northeaster because I left the cowl vents pointing into the wind..That was alot of water.. My boat doesn't sink now but it did when I purchased her. My rudder is in excellent condition, I just had the rudder bearings replaced "It was done while the boat was in the water" By the way the rudder actualy floats and had to be pushed down. They had a rope around it thinking once it was loose it would fall out. I realy enjoy my boat and would buy it again. I've owned it for 7 years now.
month "new zippers and 2 new windows" and the companionway has NOT leak at all. I do make sure that the weep holes at the end are always cleared. My compression post is fine no leaks or sagging there. I did have a leak after a three day northeaster because I left the cowl vents pointing into the wind..That was alot of water.. My boat doesn't sink now but it did when I purchased her. My rudder is in excellent condition, I just had the rudder bearings replaced "It was done while the boat was in the water" By the way the rudder actualy floats and had to be pushed down. They had a rope around it thinking once it was loose it would fall out. I realy enjoy my boat and would buy it again. I've owned it for 7 years now.
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