Hello! New owner of a 1984 Hunter 25.5

[Shane82]

Hello all!
I have spent the last week cleaning and scrubbing out my new used Hunter 25.5, It had sat up for a while and collected a bit of mold and a number of dirt diver hotels....The boat doesn't seem to have a name, so I have been tossing ideas around for one.

This is my first sailboat and luckily for me the 2nd day of cleaning had other mariners around the marina getting curious about the new activity on and around the boat, and I now am friends with several members of a local sailing club! So now I have teachers.
I am in Louisiana and will be sailing in Lake Pontchartrain, with dreams of sailing to Destin Florida as an adventure eventually.
The boat is in moderate shape as far as I can tell. I'm sure the bottom needs a good cleaning as I can see green shag carpet on her from the dock. The sails are in good shape if in need of a cleaning (like everything else)

Things I see need doing
-New sail cover
-New front hatch
-Reseal portholes
-Reseal where standing rigging runs through the deck
-Theres a leak making its way into the V-berth area
-New weatherstripping where the pop-up cabin hatch sits
-On said pop-up hatch there are two holes in the same spot on both sides
-Some wood needs replacing
-Stain and seal the good wood
-Figure out the sinks...
-Have a lot of fun
-Find Brian Bosley and see his 25.5 in person.

I do shift work on river tugs in the Mississippi River, so I only get to see the boat every other week or so. I will be trolling the forums looking for ideas such as a permanent head and tank, a washdown pump and tank to use as a shower, and some sort of rear swim deck or ladder. But first! Learning how to sail...

 

[C Jones]

Welcome aboard. I like the Hunter 25.5. We now have one for sale in very dirty condition at my marina. I wish it had been for sale last year. Good luck and have fun with it. Charles

 

[kaboboom]

Hello. I also acquired an 84 Hunter 25.5 earlier this month, and I am doing the same sorts of things to get to know the boat. I live near Dallas. I found a lots of mud dabbers as well...how to flying creatures move so much dirt! Luckily, the former owner is willing to take my wife and I out to learn how to sail.

Things I want to do/understand:
* the fresh water system/sinks
* the alcohol stove
* rebedding the chainplates
* replacing some running rigging
* anchoring
* extending the V berth

On the last one, one idea I have is to make a rectangular extension that includes inflatable pillows so that one's feet are pointed to the bow. This platform might as well conform closely to the remaining space in the V berth, but I have no doubt that the door should be kept open. If it were flat enough deflated, it could be hinged to stow underneath the largest V berth cushion. My wife could never go under the quarterberth, and I wouldn't want to mess with rearranging the main cabin back and forth. Just a concept for now.

I think we will rename our boat Miss Cali, not for a woman, but for the State we used to live in (that we miss). If it were only my boat, I might think of a more masculine name playing off Hunter, like the constellation Orion, who was a master hunter in Greek Mythology. Something like...Orion's Bow.

 

[C Jones]

Kaboboom, Welcome. I am on Ray hubbard at Bayview marina. Give me a shout if you need a hand with anything. I live in Sunnyvale so I am close by. Are you at one of the marinas here? Charles

 

[Alan]

I would HIGHLY recommend you buy Don Guillette's book 'Sail Trim' available in the Store on this site. It makes plain sense out of learning to sail (and sail properly). After you master the four elements of sail trim you will be a competent sailor.
You're gonna love it. The learning curve is really steep and you'll get the hang of it in no time. Practice is the best and most fun.

 

[Shane82]

Kababoom, go to owner modifications and look through Brian Bosely's "Empty Pocket" they extended their V-berth maybe give you some ideas.

BTW found out the boat is named, Daydreamer

 

[palmetto pirate]

Shane82, I trust you are loving your Hunter 25.5. I just got mine in August and have been refitting myself before splashing at Dolphin Cove Marina here in Charleston. I am excited as this is my first real sailboat too. Here name is the Ashton Jack named after my two little ones. Also, Jack on the end makes it sound pirate a bit. I am in the process of repainting the bottom this weekend as we are expecting 70 degree weather. Will be replacing the stancions and adding some stainless steel bars from the deck so as to give them a bit more support. My mainsail is in need of some repair so it goes to the sailmaker next week. I have to replace all of my running rigging as well and put up new life lines. Have you figured out the sink and interior plumbing yet? Mine seems to be non existent. I will be posting some pictures on here as the progress moves forward. Keep sailing in good winds. Later,
Jeff