Yipee! Bought a '97 Hunter 26 w. Honda 4 stroke 14hp outboard yesterday. Now it's sitting on it's trailer and I have to get it ready for the NJ winter. I don't have a manual yet and would appreciate some advice on how to winterize. Also have a few other questions. 1) What is is that little round access cover for next to the stairs on the starboard side floor? It's very shallow in there and full of water. I pumped most of it out. 2) Why isn't the bilge pump at the lowest point of the bilge? Seems like the pump and switch are on a little built up section of fiberglass, raising them maybe 1/2 inch or so. 3) Found a few ounces redish colored water in most all storage areas (under seats, sink, etc.) & of course the bilge. Is the boat leaking rain water? Is this typical/normal? 4) Thinking ahead. What neat add-on and customization have you all done to your Hunters? Happy Sailing Ron M
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Dave Condon
Info
Obviously you do not have an owner's manual. Got to Hunter and they will sell you one which I would recommend highly. As for witerization, there are several items. Winterize the outboard, empty the Porta Poti and clean, empty the water bags underneath the head sink and galley sink, remove any fluids tha might freeze for example drinks and so forth. As the boat sits on the trailer, see if you have any water coming in after a rain shower. If you are getting water, then do a leak check. If dry, then your problem could be around the base of the compression post inside the cabin but you will not be able to figure that out until the boat goes back into the water. Happy sailing
Obviously you do not have an owner's manual. Got to Hunter and they will sell you one which I would recommend highly. As for witerization, there are several items. Winterize the outboard, empty the Porta Poti and clean, empty the water bags underneath the head sink and galley sink, remove any fluids tha might freeze for example drinks and so forth. As the boat sits on the trailer, see if you have any water coming in after a rain shower. If you are getting water, then do a leak check. If dry, then your problem could be around the base of the compression post inside the cabin but you will not be able to figure that out until the boat goes back into the water. Happy sailing
S
Steve Wright
Check the stanchions
Ron, Welcome, from one H-26 owner to another. I found several leaks around the stanchions on my boat. No problem to fix, take out the two screws, apply some 5200 sealer, and put the screws back in. I also have a cover that goes from the mast back to the cockpit, snaps onto the same snaps as the camper top, and has lead shot sewn into the edge at the bottom of the hatch to hold it down. This stops any leaking around the pop-top. Don't know why the water would be red, unless it is blood from the previous owner, or a machanic who worked on the boat ;-) . Some neat things to do, are add a shelf above the galley, install a good stereo system, book and chart racks on the front of the head, add curtains on the side windows, connect the motor to the rudder for better stearing, and add a tillerpilot. The list goes on and on.
Ron, Welcome, from one H-26 owner to another. I found several leaks around the stanchions on my boat. No problem to fix, take out the two screws, apply some 5200 sealer, and put the screws back in. I also have a cover that goes from the mast back to the cockpit, snaps onto the same snaps as the camper top, and has lead shot sewn into the edge at the bottom of the hatch to hold it down. This stops any leaking around the pop-top. Don't know why the water would be red, unless it is blood from the previous owner, or a machanic who worked on the boat ;-) . Some neat things to do, are add a shelf above the galley, install a good stereo system, book and chart racks on the front of the head, add curtains on the side windows, connect the motor to the rudder for better stearing, and add a tillerpilot. The list goes on and on.
B
Bruce Ahrens
Where in NJ
Ron, Where in NJ are you located? I am also a new 95 h-26 owner, my first winter anyway. I am located about 20 miles north of Camden on the Delaware river. Where will you be sailing? I believe the small round cover next to the stairs is an access to the ballast tank (I assume you have the water ballast system) with the retractable keel. In addition to getting all of the liquids out of the boat, you should remove the battery and store it indoors up on wood (not on a concrete floor). I have never seen any red water. I had a little leak in from where the VHF cable exits through the cabin roof. Other than that it has been pretty dry. I kept it in the water from April 5 to Nov 1, so no leaks. If you like, email me directly at bfa1@home.com. You'll have a great time next year as soon as you get used to the quick heeling.
Ron, Where in NJ are you located? I am also a new 95 h-26 owner, my first winter anyway. I am located about 20 miles north of Camden on the Delaware river. Where will you be sailing? I believe the small round cover next to the stairs is an access to the ballast tank (I assume you have the water ballast system) with the retractable keel. In addition to getting all of the liquids out of the boat, you should remove the battery and store it indoors up on wood (not on a concrete floor). I have never seen any red water. I had a little leak in from where the VHF cable exits through the cabin roof. Other than that it has been pretty dry. I kept it in the water from April 5 to Nov 1, so no leaks. If you like, email me directly at bfa1@home.com. You'll have a great time next year as soon as you get used to the quick heeling.
R
R. Palaia
Could the red be..
some antifreeze that might have spilled during previous winterizations (the non-toxic "pink stuff"). Roc
some antifreeze that might have spilled during previous winterizations (the non-toxic "pink stuff"). Roc
M
Michael Bell
Takes time
Seems that I recall the Hunter rep indicating the small access cover in the floor going to the area between the ballast tank and floorhull. I can’t imagine it accessing the ballast tank itself. That would seem a hazard. You can work the leaks out. My 98 H26 is dry. Difficult part is determining the source.
Seems that I recall the Hunter rep indicating the small access cover in the floor going to the area between the ballast tank and floorhull. I can’t imagine it accessing the ballast tank itself. That would seem a hazard. You can work the leaks out. My 98 H26 is dry. Difficult part is determining the source.
R
Ron M
Bruce - I'm on Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Bruce - I'm on Lake Hopatcong in northern NJ, but I hope to do a couple trips a year to Barnegat Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Lake George, etc. That was the motivating factor in getting the 26, which is more than we need for the lake. Thanks for sharing your email address. I't nice to have direct contact with another 26 owner. My email is rmehr@att.net Best Regards Ron Mehringer
Bruce - I'm on Lake Hopatcong in northern NJ, but I hope to do a couple trips a year to Barnegat Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Lake George, etc. That was the motivating factor in getting the 26, which is more than we need for the lake. Thanks for sharing your email address. I't nice to have direct contact with another 26 owner. My email is rmehr@att.net Best Regards Ron Mehringer
R
Ron M
Small access port
The little access port in the floor does seem to go to a thin area between the floor and ballast tanks. Can't understand why this doesn't just drain to the bilge? Speaking of which, I always imagined that boats would be designed such that all water that enters the cabin would drain thru the floor and into the bilge. Is this not the case on the H26? Thanks - Ron M
The little access port in the floor does seem to go to a thin area between the floor and ballast tanks. Can't understand why this doesn't just drain to the bilge? Speaking of which, I always imagined that boats would be designed such that all water that enters the cabin would drain thru the floor and into the bilge. Is this not the case on the H26? Thanks - Ron M
R
Ron M
Red water
R. Palaia - I thought the same thing about the red liquid maybe being water with some antifreeze. But why would you have that in the under seat storage areas or any area. Would have thought the idea would be to completely dry out all these spots. Ron M
R. Palaia - I thought the same thing about the red liquid maybe being water with some antifreeze. But why would you have that in the under seat storage areas or any area. Would have thought the idea would be to completely dry out all these spots. Ron M
C
chuck
G
George Henry
Leaks too.
I had leaks also. Check the clamps on the thru hull fittings, check the drain hose clamps on the anchor locker (will have to remove cover in V-berth) and above all check the plate at lower end of compression post (will require cutting sealant away on access cover under table at base of compression post). I had red water also, but upon removing compression post cover I found red stains all around plate. Completely covered with 5200, leak gone. If you have check valves on under side of faucets remove and drain (they break real easy). Good luck, I didn't find leak in compression post plate until "Crazy Dave" set me on right trail. Took 2 years to find all leaks. Hunter just never finished boat. George s/v Whatever
I had leaks also. Check the clamps on the thru hull fittings, check the drain hose clamps on the anchor locker (will have to remove cover in V-berth) and above all check the plate at lower end of compression post (will require cutting sealant away on access cover under table at base of compression post). I had red water also, but upon removing compression post cover I found red stains all around plate. Completely covered with 5200, leak gone. If you have check valves on under side of faucets remove and drain (they break real easy). Good luck, I didn't find leak in compression post plate until "Crazy Dave" set me on right trail. Took 2 years to find all leaks. Hunter just never finished boat. George s/v Whatever
M
Mike Pajewski
Some things about water
Ron, You're right, if you get water in the cabin, it will not drain into the bilge, unless you pop the little plastic cover, then it can drain under the pan. I have never tried this, but I never could figiure out what that inspection plate was for. I have gotten condensation under the galley sink area. It likes to collect along the stringer up against the hull. If it sits a while, it gets a pink tinge to it, as does the water that collects in the deck socket for the table and under the finger pulls for the anchor and fuel hatches. I suspect it is some sort of algae or fungal growth. It cleans right up. Another thing to watch out for is leaks around the sliding hatch. There is a teak board mounted on top of the plexiglass hatch. It is under the pop top and it supposed to cause the water to drain off the hatch into the drain channel. On some boats it was cut too short and it allowed rain water to leak into the cabin, especially if the boat wasn't level (Like on the trailer). After you get the water cleaned, level the boat out, I usually put a slight rise at the bow. This will help the water drain aft. Also, if you do not drain your water pumps, the plastic check valve fittings will crack.The easiest way to get them off is to unscrew the faucets from the counters and then unscrew them. Good Luck, Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Ron, You're right, if you get water in the cabin, it will not drain into the bilge, unless you pop the little plastic cover, then it can drain under the pan. I have never tried this, but I never could figiure out what that inspection plate was for. I have gotten condensation under the galley sink area. It likes to collect along the stringer up against the hull. If it sits a while, it gets a pink tinge to it, as does the water that collects in the deck socket for the table and under the finger pulls for the anchor and fuel hatches. I suspect it is some sort of algae or fungal growth. It cleans right up. Another thing to watch out for is leaks around the sliding hatch. There is a teak board mounted on top of the plexiglass hatch. It is under the pop top and it supposed to cause the water to drain off the hatch into the drain channel. On some boats it was cut too short and it allowed rain water to leak into the cabin, especially if the boat wasn't level (Like on the trailer). After you get the water cleaned, level the boat out, I usually put a slight rise at the bow. This will help the water drain aft. Also, if you do not drain your water pumps, the plastic check valve fittings will crack.The easiest way to get them off is to unscrew the faucets from the counters and then unscrew them. Good Luck, Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
R
Rusty Fitzgerald
Water, Water, Everywhere. . .
After the hurricane season passed the mid-Chesapeake Bay (Deltaville) this year, we had small amounts of water in a variety of places below, including in the compartments under the seats around the table and under the galley and head sinks. We had previously found a few ounces of clear water in a long triangular space under the galley on the outboard side, but attributed that to condensation. Some of this water had acquired a reddish tint and a faint scent of onions, but when we sponged it out and disinfected the areas, it did not come back. I suspect it was a sample from the tons of rain that fell on the boat during the major storms seeping through tiny spaces. After a rough cost/benefit analysis, we have decided not to start taking things apart looking for these little leaks on the theory that we could do more harm than good. If these spaces stay dry (hurricanes notwithstanding) we'll know we guessed right. By the way - a trailer hitch receiver cover fits nicely into the cockpit table "socket" on the raised portion of the deck, which is an inexpensive way to minimize the accumulation of water in that socket.
After the hurricane season passed the mid-Chesapeake Bay (Deltaville) this year, we had small amounts of water in a variety of places below, including in the compartments under the seats around the table and under the galley and head sinks. We had previously found a few ounces of clear water in a long triangular space under the galley on the outboard side, but attributed that to condensation. Some of this water had acquired a reddish tint and a faint scent of onions, but when we sponged it out and disinfected the areas, it did not come back. I suspect it was a sample from the tons of rain that fell on the boat during the major storms seeping through tiny spaces. After a rough cost/benefit analysis, we have decided not to start taking things apart looking for these little leaks on the theory that we could do more harm than good. If these spaces stay dry (hurricanes notwithstanding) we'll know we guessed right. By the way - a trailer hitch receiver cover fits nicely into the cockpit table "socket" on the raised portion of the deck, which is an inexpensive way to minimize the accumulation of water in that socket.
G
G. Ned Christensen
Water and neat add ons
You will love your new boat. I have a '95 H26. I get a little water under the galley and up into the area under the starboard settee on occasion. It seems to come in when heeling hard. It doesn't come in when just sitting. Any ideas out there? Another owner commented on a hatch cover. It is the single best add-on I have put on our boat. It is a Sunbrella cover from mast, over the hatch and companionway. Mine, too, is weighted in the bottom to keep it down over the hatch boards. Mine also has a mesh under layer over the companionway, so that the Sunbrella cover can be rolled up and you have a screened companionway for ventilation. This cover helps prevent leaks around the sliding cabin top, provides privacy in the marina without putting in the boards, and looks nice. It is navy blue to match the main sail cover. I also think the round access cover is really just a "floor drain" should you get water in the cabin, it can drain into the bilge. Happy sailing, Ned Christensen Scond Wind
You will love your new boat. I have a '95 H26. I get a little water under the galley and up into the area under the starboard settee on occasion. It seems to come in when heeling hard. It doesn't come in when just sitting. Any ideas out there? Another owner commented on a hatch cover. It is the single best add-on I have put on our boat. It is a Sunbrella cover from mast, over the hatch and companionway. Mine, too, is weighted in the bottom to keep it down over the hatch boards. Mine also has a mesh under layer over the companionway, so that the Sunbrella cover can be rolled up and you have a screened companionway for ventilation. This cover helps prevent leaks around the sliding cabin top, provides privacy in the marina without putting in the boards, and looks nice. It is navy blue to match the main sail cover. I also think the round access cover is really just a "floor drain" should you get water in the cabin, it can drain into the bilge. Happy sailing, Ned Christensen Scond Wind
- Status
- Not open for further replies.