Hunter 22

[Cincy020]

I'm going to look at a Hunter 22 this Sunday. Any recommendations on these, as far as the boat itself in general and things to look for? Can't find a ton of information on sailing characteristics, etc on them.

My wife would prefer a "bigger boat" feel below and looks like it has this, compared to a Catalina 22 (another boat in have considered). Would that be a true assessment?

Thanks

 

[inarathree]

what year? there is a mid 80s H22 and then there is a more recent H22. Very different boats.

Either way, they are a great size to start with. same with a C22. thats where I started, and now after 5 yrs, my wife is the one who wants to move up.

 

[Chasemixon]

I can tell you the 80's model H22 is a fine boat, and very easy to learn and enjoy. I think it has been a great boat to learn on. Since we usually have at least one of our kids with us, I'll admit, it would be great to have another 10' - 12' of boat though.

 

[Cincy020]

I should have clarified that it is a mid 80's model. Funny enough my wife wants a bigger boat but moving up 10 foot from my previous boat kind of scares me.

 

[markwesti]

A bigger boat is always intimidating at first , you will get over it . Here is one thought though, a bigger boat handles easier than a little boat . For my wife and I (we started with a ODay 23) standing head room was a must . We lucked into our Westsail , and then we could stand up ! Every now and then I want a bigger boat , but then I get over it . Our little W28 Patricia A is all we need.

 

[Dave602]

The mid 80's 22 is a great boat. Large for it's size. We bought one for our first boat and had a great time on her. We sailed her every where and spent plenty of weekends anchoring out. If she's in decent shape you really can't go wrong with one. It definitely has a big boat feel.

 

[SeaTR]

Cincy020,
Are you looking at a swing keel/centerboard or a full keel ?

I can't help you with the full keel version, but my salvage 1981 H22 swing keel has been a joy to sail here in Long Island Sound. I've been working on restoring mine from a sinking ~10yrs ago by two previous owners ago for about 6 yrs now. PO did nothing with her as she sat in a yard on a rusty trailer for a number of years.

Let me know what thing(s) in particular it is that you're wanting to know... I've a long thread at this site re: the swing keel details, removal, maintenance, and also OEM rudder info (mine did not come with a rudder...remember, salvage..). Here's the link, if it helps:

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Need Rudder and swing keel dimensions (

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SeaTR on 01.24.09

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There are 'bunches' of mid '80s H22 owners on this site; check out the "Owner Direectory"..."Search Owner Directory" pull downs at the top of the screen. If you get limited response from your posting, then maybe a direct contact would yield the details that you seek.

 

[SeaTR]

BTW..."bigger boat feel" is relative to your / the admiral's perspective / impressions, size of the typical crew, planned duration of trips, expected amount of gear to be stowed, activities anticipated other than sailing, level of 'comfort' desired, i.e., a slew of other factors.

 

[Chasemixon]

Here's what I know to look for, blisters, soft spots in the hull, rigging, any rust on the wire? how long ago was the bottom painted, ea gallon of bottom paint is about 100 easy... just bought some look for brown trails inside the cabin around the windows and ports, this could be spots where rain has come in, look inside settees (Seats) some of them may have water in them. check electrical, make sure at least cabin lights and running lights work. take a portable battery charger with you just in case the battery is dead. does it have the tiller, does the running rigging need to be replaced? not a deal breaker as these things need to be replaced from time to time. but you can't just buy regular rope from Lowes and use it... I tried... NOT GOOD... lastly that I can think of and not that I have ever used it... is the potty functional? hope that helps!

 

[inarathree]

don't forget the sails. I would bet most of the mid 80 H22s still have original sails, many of the ones in this area still do. Mine did when i picked her up in 2010. They will most likely be blown out, and sail terribly. It was a WORLD of difference when i replace them. But a new set also costs an additional $1400. Also don't forget the o/b motor. if it needs to be replaced that can be another $1500. Will this boat be in the water full time (as mine is) or on a trailer (ask Charlie/SeaTR about his)? You don't need bottom paint if its on a trailer, but you do when its in the water.

Not to scare you off, I love my H22, we have spent many weekends and nights out on it. Its a great size for the three of us (me, wife, and teenage daughter). Its easy enough to sail that my niece can sail it at 9y/o, once the sails are up.

The comments above are all good. just things to keep in mind when negotiating a price. These are solid little boats. I got mine for next to nothing, but like Charlie's it was pretty close to being scrap. I have replaced all the electrical, running rigging, the keel, the sails, new motor, cockpit cushions (for the admiral), and many other things. I have probably spent two or three times the purchase price fixing things.

 

[Cincy020]

Thanks for all the input. Quite an abundance of information and I will be taking a close look at all of this.

I guess one plus on this boat is the seller is meeting me at the lake with the boat on the trailer to let me examine, learn how to rig, and then we will be sailing it. It seems like actually sailing boats this size is rare prior to purchasing? That way, I will be able to check out all the mechanics, including the electrical, O/B, sails, swing keel, etc.

I do plan on keeping in the water. Is it possible to bottom paint yourself on these or do you have to hire out to do it?

 

[Cincy020]

Also, SeaTR, I took a quick look through the thread regarding the swing keel. So the piviot point for the keel is located in the cabin through the keel pocket and it is a pully system to raise/lower the keel? Im just trying to compare this to the Catalina 22, since that has a winch and the piviot is located below the water line. Seems like replacing/working on the swing keel would be easier on a Hunter 22 than a Catalina 22?

 

[inarathree]

the C22 has all its ballast in the keel, some 900# i believe. therefore you need a winch to raise it. there is also many rumors of the line snapping and letting the keel drop and cracking or damaging the keel trunk. Just rumors, i don't know anyone who had this problem. Take it for what its worth.

The H22 ballast is in lead blocks in the cabin sole, under the floor boards. The keel is neutral ballast, so it only needs a simple 4:1 purchase to raise it. Its light enough my 9 y/o niece can pull it up. Access to the keel pivot is only via under the boat.

if your keeping it in the water, yes you need to paint it, and yes it is something you can do yourself. If you know what type of paint is on it, just put more of that on. Else you should sand/grind it off, apply a with 2 part epoxy, then paint. I did this, its more work but my paint has lasted 3 yrs in salt water, and is only starting to show growth.

The REALLY nice thing about small boats is if you know which end of a screw driver and hammer to hold, you can do most (if not all) the work yourself. K.I.S.S.

While you can do work yourself on a bigger boat, you need to know diesel mechanics, and electrical engineering.

 

[Chasemixon]

Taking it out will be really good, when I bought mine I has no idea what I was doing and was not on this site... I was lucky! Everything was good with mine. But I caused a lot of damage to mine before I knew what I was doing...

 

[SeaTR]

Cincy,
Sorry for the 'late' reply...I was out sailing with my grandkids this am and the admiral this pm. GORGEOUS day up here in Southern New England !!

I DO trailer my boat, but only in the off season. The trailer is only actively used for launching and hauling out. I have a mooring that I dinghy to/from. I don't like a lot of the work involved with some hard bottom paints, thus I prefer to use an abblative bottom paint. Yes, you CAN do much of the work yourself, depending on your experience. Even then, one can acquire skills...

As far as the pivot for the swing keel, I think that inarathree's description is accurate. It's ALWAYS a good idea (and quite common) to take a boat for a 'spin' prior to purchase...'kickin' the tires' can reveal much.

 

[isaksp00]

I keep my H23 in the water for a roughly 5 to 6 month season and use no bottom paint - in a fresh water lake. Most folks here do not use bottom paint. I only get some slimy grass type growth (not a lot) that the yard pressure washes off when they haul it.