I have just purchased a 1978 Hunter 27. This is my first sailboat - where can I find instructions on how things work. I have all kinds of systems that I know nothing about.
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Engines, water systems,
and sails are all separate and have to be learned separately. There are several books for beginning sailors. The mechanical systems IE. engine, water supply, the toilet, the bilge pumps are detailed in other books . I suggest that you go to the library and seek the stacks on boats and browse for an hour or two and then check out a few that seem like they will tell you what you need. read those and go back and get some more. When you finally find the books that meet your needs then purchase those titles.
and sails are all separate and have to be learned separately. There are several books for beginning sailors. The mechanical systems IE. engine, water supply, the toilet, the bilge pumps are detailed in other books . I suggest that you go to the library and seek the stacks on boats and browse for an hour or two and then check out a few that seem like they will tell you what you need. read those and go back and get some more. When you finally find the books that meet your needs then purchase those titles.
MarkRight HERE
I was in the same boat (no pun!) when we bought our H320 a year ago. Just keep reading these forums and search the archives. Also search out the equipment manufacturer's web sites. The internet is the key to everything! Gary
I was in the same boat (no pun!) when we bought our H320 a year ago. Just keep reading these forums and search the archives. Also search out the equipment manufacturer's web sites. The internet is the key to everything! Gary
Systems
Keep in mind that sailboats have five systems... 1. Sail plan involving the sails and lines. 2. Electrical system. 3. Fuel system. 4. Water system, fresh and enclosed (engine). 5. Lube system for the engine. This breakdown should help differentiate the parts of the boat for greater understanding. I agree with Gary that this site is excellent for learning lots of stuff, especially in small doses. Another great source is the guy in the next slip, who can actually show you where things are that seem mysterious.
Keep in mind that sailboats have five systems... 1. Sail plan involving the sails and lines. 2. Electrical system. 3. Fuel system. 4. Water system, fresh and enclosed (engine). 5. Lube system for the engine. This breakdown should help differentiate the parts of the boat for greater understanding. I agree with Gary that this site is excellent for learning lots of stuff, especially in small doses. Another great source is the guy in the next slip, who can actually show you where things are that seem mysterious.
6 systems...
You forgot the sanitation system. And the electrical system is really 2 systems--12v and 115v/AC.
You forgot the sanitation system. And the electrical system is really 2 systems--12v and 115v/AC.
Books
Nigel Calder has a couple of really good books on how things work on sailboats. Nigel Calders Cruising Handbook Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual Both books are really in depth on how things work the second one listed is the best for explaining systems. They aren't cheap but well worth the money and great to have in the sailing library.
Nigel Calder has a couple of really good books on how things work on sailboats. Nigel Calders Cruising Handbook Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual Both books are really in depth on how things work the second one listed is the best for explaining systems. They aren't cheap but well worth the money and great to have in the sailing library.
Make some friends at the dock
Most sailors would be happy to help you out...A fifteen minute conversation/tutorial could save fifteen hours of searching the web...All of your systems have already failed on someone else's boat...Learn from our mistakes
Most sailors would be happy to help you out...A fifteen minute conversation/tutorial could save fifteen hours of searching the web...All of your systems have already failed on someone else's boat...Learn from our mistakes
My list
Here are the things I need to know about my '77 h27: 1. Hull integrity - Main sink drain, cooling water intake, speedo, and depth guage all penetrate the hull below the waterline. Loose/worn cockpit drain hoses have also caused flooding on Lady Lillie. 2. Fresh water - Original equipment is an aluminum tank under the v-berth, and pumps at both sinks. 3. Our head is a porta-potty with a pump-out built in. This is a great system, but Marine toilets and holding tanks were also installed. 4. Bilge pump - Ours is a hand pump built into the port settee. 5. Electrical - 12 and 115 volts. Our panel is to the port side of the engine by the floor. There is a 115 breaker in the port locker under the chart table, and a 115 shore power connection on the port side just forward of the cockpit. The 12 volt battery is under the forward end of the quarter berth. There is also the grounding wire from the mast to the keel bolts. 6. Alchohol Stove - ours is a pressurized model. Most suppliers are still in business, and you can find manuals online. 7. Engine water cooling and exhaust - most are straight-through raw water cooling systems, but some have self contained cooling and support a hot water system. The later is usually a prior owner mod. 8. Diesel engine - usually a Yanmar SB8, but sometimes a Renault. The Yanmar is well supported, and you can get a manual from Torresson and others. 9. Radio - These differ according to prior owners, but there is the radio itself, the antenna cable with a disconnect at the mast step, and the antenna at the top of the mast. 10. Steering and rudder - we have a tiller - a pretty obvious system with no tricks. Others have a wheel, so I'm not much help. 11. Rigging and sails - I'd have a rigger out to look at your standing and running rigging. Same thing with the sails. A sailmaker should come for free, but you might have to pay a rigger. The reference books sited by others also have good info on inspecting these systems. The spars are straightforward. There is a set of antenna and lighting disconnects inside the mast step when the time comes to take down the mast for whatever reason. 12. Deck hardware - winch makers all have manuals online, and reference books will tell you how to clean and maintain them. You may have an anchor locker forward - we don't however. The anchor would be stored below if you don't have a locker. Lady Lillie has mid-ship cleats added by a P.O, that are a real plus. 13. Prior owner stuff - in 27 years, various prior owners have certainly added or modified your systems in all kinds of ingenious ways. Basically all or none of what I have described above may be on your boat. So talking to dock-mates with good old boats is relevant, even if they have a different model. The reference books already cited are a real help. Then you will crawl all over the boat, jot down product names, and surf the web or check the archives here to figure out exactly what you have. Might as well do it sooner rather than later! But do spend some time sailing the boat! This is a great cruising model with pleasing lines, a good dry ride, good speed on a reach, and good room for two. (We have done four large men for a week, but you had better be real friendly!) David Lady Lillie
Here are the things I need to know about my '77 h27: 1. Hull integrity - Main sink drain, cooling water intake, speedo, and depth guage all penetrate the hull below the waterline. Loose/worn cockpit drain hoses have also caused flooding on Lady Lillie. 2. Fresh water - Original equipment is an aluminum tank under the v-berth, and pumps at both sinks. 3. Our head is a porta-potty with a pump-out built in. This is a great system, but Marine toilets and holding tanks were also installed. 4. Bilge pump - Ours is a hand pump built into the port settee. 5. Electrical - 12 and 115 volts. Our panel is to the port side of the engine by the floor. There is a 115 breaker in the port locker under the chart table, and a 115 shore power connection on the port side just forward of the cockpit. The 12 volt battery is under the forward end of the quarter berth. There is also the grounding wire from the mast to the keel bolts. 6. Alchohol Stove - ours is a pressurized model. Most suppliers are still in business, and you can find manuals online. 7. Engine water cooling and exhaust - most are straight-through raw water cooling systems, but some have self contained cooling and support a hot water system. The later is usually a prior owner mod. 8. Diesel engine - usually a Yanmar SB8, but sometimes a Renault. The Yanmar is well supported, and you can get a manual from Torresson and others. 9. Radio - These differ according to prior owners, but there is the radio itself, the antenna cable with a disconnect at the mast step, and the antenna at the top of the mast. 10. Steering and rudder - we have a tiller - a pretty obvious system with no tricks. Others have a wheel, so I'm not much help. 11. Rigging and sails - I'd have a rigger out to look at your standing and running rigging. Same thing with the sails. A sailmaker should come for free, but you might have to pay a rigger. The reference books sited by others also have good info on inspecting these systems. The spars are straightforward. There is a set of antenna and lighting disconnects inside the mast step when the time comes to take down the mast for whatever reason. 12. Deck hardware - winch makers all have manuals online, and reference books will tell you how to clean and maintain them. You may have an anchor locker forward - we don't however. The anchor would be stored below if you don't have a locker. Lady Lillie has mid-ship cleats added by a P.O, that are a real plus. 13. Prior owner stuff - in 27 years, various prior owners have certainly added or modified your systems in all kinds of ingenious ways. Basically all or none of what I have described above may be on your boat. So talking to dock-mates with good old boats is relevant, even if they have a different model. The reference books already cited are a real help. Then you will crawl all over the boat, jot down product names, and surf the web or check the archives here to figure out exactly what you have. Might as well do it sooner rather than later! But do spend some time sailing the boat! This is a great cruising model with pleasing lines, a good dry ride, good speed on a reach, and good room for two. (We have done four large men for a week, but you had better be real friendly!) David Lady Lillie
Welcome
You have already found the best source of information concerning your H27 and that is this forum. The guys on this forum are really helpful. By the way, the older H27's are a great boat. Much better than I originally thought. They are faster than most all cruising boats in the size range. If you add a traveler, they go up wind very well. The fiberglass lay up schedule is really strong and it has a good capsize rating. You've got yourself a good boat. Enjoy. Dan
You have already found the best source of information concerning your H27 and that is this forum. The guys on this forum are really helpful. By the way, the older H27's are a great boat. Much better than I originally thought. They are faster than most all cruising boats in the size range. If you add a traveler, they go up wind very well. The fiberglass lay up schedule is really strong and it has a good capsize rating. You've got yourself a good boat. Enjoy. Dan
Hey Bruce....
My one, most important piece of advice is to learn to do things yourself, to avoid hiring it out. No matter how intimidated you may feel, troubleshooting, researching, and repairing yourself will be much easier on your wallet and so very satisfying, and......will arm you with knowledge and skill for the next project. Of course, there might be things that you might choose to sub out (like canvas making for me), but unless you have deep pockets and don't like this type work, you must dive in and do things yourself. INFAMILIARITY BREEDS FEAR!!!! Become familiar with these systems and it's not near as scary, in fact, often it's simple as falling off a log. Good luck, and congratulations. You'll thank your lucky stars for this site too.
My one, most important piece of advice is to learn to do things yourself, to avoid hiring it out. No matter how intimidated you may feel, troubleshooting, researching, and repairing yourself will be much easier on your wallet and so very satisfying, and......will arm you with knowledge and skill for the next project. Of course, there might be things that you might choose to sub out (like canvas making for me), but unless you have deep pockets and don't like this type work, you must dive in and do things yourself. INFAMILIARITY BREEDS FEAR!!!! Become familiar with these systems and it's not near as scary, in fact, often it's simple as falling off a log. Good luck, and congratulations. You'll thank your lucky stars for this site too.
Can Do!
Thanks Gary, I am with you. I have learned to do about everything on a boat. I was just trying to figure out what everything is supposed to do.
Thanks Gary, I am with you. I have learned to do about everything on a boat. I was just trying to figure out what everything is supposed to do.
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