Help! First time buyer. I'm interested in this 1983 Hunter 33'. I like everything about it. Appears to be in good shape until I noticed the epoxy covering some damage to the tip of the bow. What might have caused the damage? How does it get repaired? And what is the likely cost? It this just a cosmetic fix or something I should really be concerned about? I've attached a photo.
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Survey says
Thats why you hire a professional mariner surveyor. If not that and it bothers you (aesthetically or structurally), get an estimate on repairs from a reputable shipwright and price accordingly.
Thats why you hire a professional mariner surveyor. If not that and it bothers you (aesthetically or structurally), get an estimate on repairs from a reputable shipwright and price accordingly.
Mate, not so much concerned about...
the ugly patch job as for the reason why the anchor line chock is missing on the port side. Insure the forepeak is sound and just get some masking tape and spray paint and paint it black so it won't be so noticeable.
the ugly patch job as for the reason why the anchor line chock is missing on the port side. Insure the forepeak is sound and just get some masking tape and spray paint and paint it black so it won't be so noticeable.
Look in the anchor locker
If you open up the anchor locker you can crane your head down and look forward to see if the damage came through the hull or is just cosmetic. Likely it is not a deal breaking problem. If there are other 33' Hunters in the area, take a look at one to see what the front should look like. With an old boat you will get other oportunities to practice your fiberglassing skills. Best of luck, I have had my '80 33' for over fours years and enjoy her more each day.
If you open up the anchor locker you can crane your head down and look forward to see if the damage came through the hull or is just cosmetic. Likely it is not a deal breaking problem. If there are other 33' Hunters in the area, take a look at one to see what the front should look like. With an old boat you will get other oportunities to practice your fiberglassing skills. Best of luck, I have had my '80 33' for over fours years and enjoy her more each day.
Good advice
Paul, thanks for the advice. I'll take a peek in the anchor locker next time in the area. I'm sure you're right that it's not a deal killer. There are a number of 31 footers in the area, but I really like the additional space of the 33. Any other suggestions will be appreciated.
Paul, thanks for the advice. I'll take a peek in the anchor locker next time in the area. I'm sure you're right that it's not a deal killer. There are a number of 31 footers in the area, but I really like the additional space of the 33. Any other suggestions will be appreciated.
Not much there, maybe just a lousy leak repair
I have this boat and there is not much there. Maybe it was leaking and they just did a lousy job. The bow plate looks good and the forestay hardware look good. I would definately use it to knock a few bucks off the asking price...... Good luck It's a good boat.
I have this boat and there is not much there. Maybe it was leaking and they just did a lousy job. The bow plate looks good and the forestay hardware look good. I would definately use it to knock a few bucks off the asking price...... Good luck It's a good boat.
Good spot Fred
There may be a corrosion problem there because of different metals. The pin may have been replaced with a stronger metal so it's causing the other parts to rust. A surveyer will spot that and help you determine how much that will cost to replace the rusting parts if the rust is more then just supervisual. They are pretty important parts.
There may be a corrosion problem there because of different metals. The pin may have been replaced with a stronger metal so it's causing the other parts to rust. A surveyer will spot that and help you determine how much that will cost to replace the rusting parts if the rust is more then just supervisual. They are pretty important parts.
Joe, maybe I missed it, but if no one mentioned it
During your survey, that goop has got to go. You need to remove it and look underneath. If the owner refuses, it's a deal buster.
During your survey, that goop has got to go. You need to remove it and look underneath. If the owner refuses, it's a deal buster.
Another odd thing...
is what appears to be a pro-furl roller furler drum is tied to the bow pulpit. That is never done. The furler needs to be able to flex in that plane. I suggest that you proceed cautiously. Allan
is what appears to be a pro-furl roller furler drum is tied to the bow pulpit. That is never done. The furler needs to be able to flex in that plane. I suggest that you proceed cautiously. Allan
The Bow Pulpi
Allan, I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out. I'll know soon, but it looks as if something happened that separated the bow pulpit. Both the epoxy and the tie to the furler are designed to hold the bow pulpit in place. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Allan, I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out. I'll know soon, but it looks as if something happened that separated the bow pulpit. Both the epoxy and the tie to the furler are designed to hold the bow pulpit in place. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
You know Joe,
We aren't seeing too much good stuff in your pictures. And I just noticed that the headstay strap in front of the leading edge of the hull doesn't go all the way down the recess in the fiberglass. It stops about two inches short. Different strap than original???
We aren't seeing too much good stuff in your pictures. And I just noticed that the headstay strap in front of the leading edge of the hull doesn't go all the way down the recess in the fiberglass. It stops about two inches short. Different strap than original???
"Uncle, Uncle!!"
Thanks for all the input. I think it's time for me to move on to another boat. I really like that year Hunter. I know of a couple of 31' that might be a better choice. I really appreciate all the good advice you've given me.
Thanks for all the input. I think it's time for me to move on to another boat. I really like that year Hunter. I know of a couple of 31' that might be a better choice. I really appreciate all the good advice you've given me.
Another look
I have a 1980 version of this boat. Mine is for the most part as the factory put it together. Concerning the bow. The strap is like your pictures. There are four bolts into the hull and a similar gap to the recess in the fiberglass, that Fred talked about. The connection to the roller furler on mine is a univeral four way bracket allowing movement back and forth and side to side. The boat pictured does not have this set up, but I see no reason why this method will not work also. For me the questions are: what happend to the front deck requiring the sloppy repair? Why is the port side anchor line chock missing? BTW the bow pulpit is just attached with two bolts scrwed into the strap and deck at this point. It is not an important attachment for the integrity of the boat or sail plan.
I have a 1980 version of this boat. Mine is for the most part as the factory put it together. Concerning the bow. The strap is like your pictures. There are four bolts into the hull and a similar gap to the recess in the fiberglass, that Fred talked about. The connection to the roller furler on mine is a univeral four way bracket allowing movement back and forth and side to side. The boat pictured does not have this set up, but I see no reason why this method will not work also. For me the questions are: what happend to the front deck requiring the sloppy repair? Why is the port side anchor line chock missing? BTW the bow pulpit is just attached with two bolts scrwed into the strap and deck at this point. It is not an important attachment for the integrity of the boat or sail plan.
A Closer Look
Paul, thanks for the note. I took a much closer look and found the following. It appears as if the boat collided with something along the lower part of the bow pulpit. If so, the collision looks as if it caused the two bolts holding the bow pulpit into the bow to pop out and in doing so the very tip of the bow was lost. It appears that the owner has bent the bow pulpit back into place and has replaced the bolts holding them fast with some epoxy. I looked forward through the anchor locker,as was suggested, and saw no damage to the bow from that angle. Now, my question. Assuming there's no damage to the furler drum due to whatever happened, is it difficult to find a replacement bow pulpit and can the screw holes be redrilled for a snug fit? Being a novice, outside of getting the point where the bow pulpit bolts to the bow, do I even need to be concerned about replacing the pulpit? Also, some have noticed that the port anchor chock is missing. The bolts holding the chock look as if they have been broken off. Not having discussed the matter with the broker or owner at this point, that may have occurred at the same time as the other. No other damage was noticeable. I'm assuming the chock can be replaced easily enough and is not a deal killer. The boat overall looks to be in good condition. Any comments would be appreciated.
Paul, thanks for the note. I took a much closer look and found the following. It appears as if the boat collided with something along the lower part of the bow pulpit. If so, the collision looks as if it caused the two bolts holding the bow pulpit into the bow to pop out and in doing so the very tip of the bow was lost. It appears that the owner has bent the bow pulpit back into place and has replaced the bolts holding them fast with some epoxy. I looked forward through the anchor locker,as was suggested, and saw no damage to the bow from that angle. Now, my question. Assuming there's no damage to the furler drum due to whatever happened, is it difficult to find a replacement bow pulpit and can the screw holes be redrilled for a snug fit? Being a novice, outside of getting the point where the bow pulpit bolts to the bow, do I even need to be concerned about replacing the pulpit? Also, some have noticed that the port anchor chock is missing. The bolts holding the chock look as if they have been broken off. Not having discussed the matter with the broker or owner at this point, that may have occurred at the same time as the other. No other damage was noticeable. I'm assuming the chock can be replaced easily enough and is not a deal killer. The boat overall looks to be in good condition. Any comments would be appreciated.
bow pulpit
The bow pulpit arrangment is not a solid as it could be. There are only three attachment points. The front strap that we are talking about and the two side points which are two bolts through the deck. Even when tight my pulpit is not strong. You could dirll and tap new attaching holes for the bow pulpit front without to much troble and return it to the original configuration. If you are interested in the boat, take it for a sea test and run the genoa out and in a few times to see how it feels. To really know what has happened you should take off the sloppy repair and look at the bow strap to see if it is damaged or not. If it shows no sign of damage it is likely alright, but if it is cracked even a little, it needs to be replaced. It supports the front mast stay, enough said!
The bow pulpit arrangment is not a solid as it could be. There are only three attachment points. The front strap that we are talking about and the two side points which are two bolts through the deck. Even when tight my pulpit is not strong. You could dirll and tap new attaching holes for the bow pulpit front without to much troble and return it to the original configuration. If you are interested in the boat, take it for a sea test and run the genoa out and in a few times to see how it feels. To really know what has happened you should take off the sloppy repair and look at the bow strap to see if it is damaged or not. If it shows no sign of damage it is likely alright, but if it is cracked even a little, it needs to be replaced. It supports the front mast stay, enough said!
Common Problem
I have a 1983 33 also. The pulpit and it's forward mount are a weak design. Machine screws threaded into glass don't work. Smack it into something hard and it gets worse. Tops in Quality can probably make up an exact replacement, but it might be better to have a custom made up to your own design. Take a very hard, close look at the tip. if the glass work itself is un-damaged, and the bow fitting is not bent it is just a matter of adjusting the price to reflect the need for repair. By the way, the strap running down the bow does not run all the way down the fornmed portion of the stem. it is not a problem and is most likely a mold holdover from an earlier iteration. Make a low offer, enjoy the boat. People on the site can talk you through the repair if needed.
I have a 1983 33 also. The pulpit and it's forward mount are a weak design. Machine screws threaded into glass don't work. Smack it into something hard and it gets worse. Tops in Quality can probably make up an exact replacement, but it might be better to have a custom made up to your own design. Take a very hard, close look at the tip. if the glass work itself is un-damaged, and the bow fitting is not bent it is just a matter of adjusting the price to reflect the need for repair. By the way, the strap running down the bow does not run all the way down the fornmed portion of the stem. it is not a problem and is most likely a mold holdover from an earlier iteration. Make a low offer, enjoy the boat. People on the site can talk you through the repair if needed.
Thanks Sam
Thanks for the information. I'm going to take someone with experience to assist me in making a closer evaluation before I go to the expense of a survey. From my observation, the glass work is undamaged except where one or both of the screws may have been stripped out. I don't believe the bow connection is bent, but will look more closely. Regardless, repair work will need to be done. Regarding an offer, the asking price is $23,000 and I know that prior to the broker getting involved, the owner was asking $21,000. Any recommendations as to how low an offer might be appropriate? As always, thanks for the advice. It's very helpful to this novice.
Thanks for the information. I'm going to take someone with experience to assist me in making a closer evaluation before I go to the expense of a survey. From my observation, the glass work is undamaged except where one or both of the screws may have been stripped out. I don't believe the bow connection is bent, but will look more closely. Regardless, repair work will need to be done. Regarding an offer, the asking price is $23,000 and I know that prior to the broker getting involved, the owner was asking $21,000. Any recommendations as to how low an offer might be appropriate? As always, thanks for the advice. It's very helpful to this novice.
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