Hunter 25.5 DIY repairs

[Nursemnr]

Hello. I am a proud owner of a 1985 25.5 Hunter, Wild Child (great name but she came with it and her captain maintains her name in a nice way). I recently sunk her due to the stuffing box cover not replaced after engine work was done and a sail bag falling into the gear shaft causing a hose to tear.....but that gives me this opportunity to replace and repair. She is in good shape. Engine did not suffer any extensive damage and the teak has been easily restored to a new condition. I tried Te-Ak but found that scrubbing the teak with a dish liquid soap and green scrub pad did a much nicer job and rid all the water stains and old varnish. I then used teak oil to bring the beautiful grains and color back.

I am new to sailing and joined a sail club 2 years ago. I am still learning and always open for "lessons" in sailing and racing.

I would like to improve her and don't know how. She has a furling which is fine. She needs a new hatch. The opening is 17" x 17" and don't know which hatch to replace it with. I also would like to install an automatic bilge pump since she never had one and would like to work on the outside to return the fiberglass to a nice shine. Can anyone make recommendations to my above questions? Is there any book that would give me better ideas of what can be done to improve her performance while racing?

Yes, I could pay someone to do all these things but I enjoy doing projects and my Wild Child deserves a new facelift.

 

[Canonshooternb]

I just bought a 1985 25.5 Hunter last weekend. I would be curious to see what changes you make.


Paul

 

[Ed Schenck]

To have fun racing you need a boat, a watch with a timer, and to know the rules. To be competitive add experience, good sails, a tuned rig, and a good bottom( http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=267&cat_id=14&page=model&mn=25.5 ). Do you have the deep keel model? Maybe the PHRF number will make up for a shoal draft.

For sparkling topsides(sides of boat) try wet sanding a small spot on the stern with something like 600 grit. That will tell you whether you can bring the shine back, maybe with something like "Island Girl". I had a pro do it on my 37-footer to the tune of $1k.

 

[Nursemnr]

thanks so much for the information. I currently freshening up Wild Child's teak and I really must say that although Te-Ak does work, the method of dish soap and a green "srubbie" work much nicer. Brings to wood back, rids most of the water stains and leaves the wood smooth. I teak-oiled and it's ready to go

 

[isaksp00]

I have an H23 on Wallenpaupack, that I've also done a fair amount of refurbishing to. Where's yours?

 

[Nursemnr]

Hi Isakgp00

Wild Child has moved from Lighthouse to Ironwood to be closer to the members of the sail club. Maybe you would be interested in joining our club. There are many knowledgeable members who are always willing to help a hand (especially to a newbie like me.) We race on Sundays from June to September.

Marie