Hi All - First off, thanks everyone for posting so much information here - a great resource! Second, I have my eye on purchasing a '85 hunter 25.5. I have a few concerns though regarding the pop top. Does the pop top, when lowered, supposed to have a tight seal? Standing in the cabin with top down, I can definitely see daylight. I can only assume this contributes to people heading toward shore when the wind picks up & rain falls? No? Am I being overly cautious? Second, on the poptop, the uh...flanges (if that's the right word) near the cockpit surrounding the companionway are a bit damaged - there's a bit of wiggle on each to the tune of about 1/8 - 1/4 of play - it looks like the weakness goes about an inch down the line. It looks like they've been repaired a bit, but one appears delaminated (seperation along the flange). Is it a pain to get the fiberglass repaired for structural integrity? I'm not overly concerned about appearances, but wondered if any owners had a similar problem. Thanks for any advice, Evan
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I've also got a 1985 Hunter 25.5. My pop top doesn't seal completely either, but it has never been a problem even in heavy rain. The "flange" on the edge is high enough...and the drainage is good enough that I have never had a leak from the poptop itself. Hope this is of some help.
I've also got a 1985 Hunter 25.5. My pop top doesn't seal completely either, but it has never been a problem even in heavy rain. The "flange" on the edge is high enough...and the drainage is good enough that I have never had a leak from the poptop itself. Hope this is of some help.
Thanks for your reply Steve. I don't know if I described the ...ug...flange... correctly (if anyone has a better word for it, please contribute to my new vocab) so I'm attaching a picture describing the problem area. Also, in the boat pictured (a sister ship), it looks like there's a gasket that might seal the top. Is that aftermarket / do other owners have the same. I'm assuming that would be super cheap to glue on...didn't think about that! 
The boat is currently located on Long Island Sound, so it's somewhat protected waters, but the dream is to get out into blue. Thanks for any help. Cheers, Evan
The boat is currently located on Long Island Sound, so it's somewhat protected waters, but the dream is to get out into blue. Thanks for any help. Cheers, EvanMine's cracked too!
Only the starboard side so far. It seems to me that either the top warped somehow... or the black gasket has simply lost it's shape and is crushed... which let's the corner hit and causes this issue. (and I believe the gasket was original equipment) I have a piece of clear 3/8" hose I stuck in there for testing purposes and it seems to hold the top up far enough to prevent further damage. I'm going to purchase enough to completely replace the old black stuff. I'll just have to see how long it will hold up. As far as water getting in, I do see some light but no water ever comes in from there (perhaps my new gasket, when added, will stop that???). Water did come in from the screw holes previous owners created from screwing down the hand rails and top slide door rails. I calked them and it doesn't leak anymore. I just purchased my 1984 last August and overall I'd definitely do it again. My wife and I love the boat. And it's not our first sailboat, either. Enjoy! Bob
Only the starboard side so far. It seems to me that either the top warped somehow... or the black gasket has simply lost it's shape and is crushed... which let's the corner hit and causes this issue. (and I believe the gasket was original equipment) I have a piece of clear 3/8" hose I stuck in there for testing purposes and it seems to hold the top up far enough to prevent further damage. I'm going to purchase enough to completely replace the old black stuff. I'll just have to see how long it will hold up. As far as water getting in, I do see some light but no water ever comes in from there (perhaps my new gasket, when added, will stop that???). Water did come in from the screw holes previous owners created from screwing down the hand rails and top slide door rails. I calked them and it doesn't leak anymore. I just purchased my 1984 last August and overall I'd definitely do it again. My wife and I love the boat. And it's not our first sailboat, either. Enjoy! Bob
re: mine's cracked too
Hi Bob - Thanks for the input - very reassuring - and nice to see everyone else is daydreaming at work too I think I'll try to get the seller to reinforce the cracks and add a gasket to the top & I'm sold. All the owners here seem to rave about the boat - it's been a long time since I've been out, so it'll definitely be interesting! Thanks, Evan
Hi Bob - Thanks for the input - very reassuring - and nice to see everyone else is daydreaming at work too
I think I'll try to get the seller to reinforce the cracks and add a gasket to the top & I'm sold. All the owners here seem to rave about the boat - it's been a long time since I've been out, so it'll definitely be interesting! Thanks, Evan- Status