Hunter 27 Advice

[aeronca]

Hi all, new to the Hunter forums, new to sailing and about to be new to owning a boat. Looking very seriously at a 1978 Hunter 27. We have put down a deposit and looking to move to survey. As I said we are new to all of this, so was wondering about some things to look carefully at in this particular flavor/year of boat.

Boat is one of the cleanest of the 18-20 boats we have looked at, with almost new sails, clean bottom and engine. Interior is in very good shape etc. There is a small crack down the back of the rudder and some salt on the engine. We have addressed these issues in the offer we have made.

We are now looking around for a surveyor. So one question is anyone know a good surveyor in the Port Townsend Washington area that may be familar with older Hunters? Since we are new to this any advice in general about the survey process? The boat doesn't really have any other issues besides those listed. So as far as surveys go are there different levels of survey: as in how intensive they are?

The other question is how much would be a reasonable amount to spend on a survey for a boat that appears in excellent shape, besides mentioned issures? The boat is listed at 9900$. I would assume that we don't want to skimp on this but we don't want to go overboard either. We don't want to be surprised with issues because we were too cheap on the survey, but we don't want to be taken to the cleaners because we are new and overly cautious. So any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

The last question is to Hunter 27 owners in particular, what are some issues to watch for in this boat, problems you have had etc.
Thanks for any advice.
Allan

 

[David in Sandusky]

Cherubini h27 issues

Sounds like you have a great cruising boat in your sights!

I can't help you to find a good surveyor, but I encourage you to ask around in the area - local recommendations are always best.

The h27 shares its major generic issue with most boats of that era - water gets in, and leads to rot of wood, especially in the plywood or balsa core of the cabin roof. Any installation that penetrates the deck can allow water in over the long term: the mast step, and lifeline stanchions are the top issues. Your surveyor will rap on suspicious spots with a plastic hammer or the butt of a screwdriver listening for the "thunk" of mushy core. He will also run an rf moisture meter over the boat to detect water in the core, or in delaminated fiberglass. Our survey on a $9,000 price 10 years ago in Ohio was $250. It did identify 85% of our long term maintenance issues, and help us to knock $500 off the price for an immediate payback.

We have now put about 6,500 nm on Lady Lillie in Lakes Erie, St. Clair, and Huron. The Admiral and I have spent months on her, and find her just the right size for a coupl of 2, especially if you are under 6 feet, and can use the v-berth. We have chartered in the San Juans - the h27 is a great boat for cruising them, and north into the Canadian Islands - Good Luck!

 

[Les]

Since you haven't bought the boat yet, I won't congratulate just yet but I've had five Hunter sailboats and all were well made. My present Hunter is a 2009 Hunter 27 which I am enjoying very much. May be the best boat I've ever had (but I tend to say that about each boat I have)

To answer your question, get Matt Harris to do your survey. He is one of the best and was the foreman on a Sceptre 36 I once owned. He's built boats so knows the business.

His web address is: http://www.surveyormarine.com/staff_bio4.htm

I'm sorry I don't know the current prices for a survey in this area. I won't even venture a guess. But Matt is your man.

I wish you well. Contact me leslieblackwell@comcast.net if you need anymore information or have other questions.

 

[Seattle Scott]

I have ued Lynne twice,http://www.lodestarmarine.com/ once at purchase and later for insurance survey when I switched carriers. By recollection cost was about $400 for a 37 footer. this was for a basic out of water hull survery. I also got a separate guy to check out the engine and another guy to check the mast/rigging and got the recomendaitons from Lynne for the other guys. .

 

[Jimboyyy]

I paid $450 for our survey in 2009. It came in handy as it helped us decide which things needed to get fixed and which could wait. I still have not addressed the toe rail leaks, instead I learned to live with them. We love our '83 h27...the only thing I find lacking is she is a bit underpowered especially when dealing with motoring into chop, I typically adjust my attitude and bear off one way or the other...

 

[aeronca]

Thanks all. Very helpful so far. Scott and Les, I will follow up with your recommendavations. Or I should say I will pass it on to my boat partner back in WA as I am on a trip back east. We have already figured we need an engine guy for the engine. We have someone in Friday Harbor that may be able to help recommend someone. Athough I guess finding someone in or around Port Townsend would be nice.

Thank Dave in Sandusky for some things to watch for. We have been looking at several boats and have seen some some of those things. Rotted bulkheads, soft decks etc. The deck on this boat at least seems solid, and below there is almost zero sign of leaks,(except for one of the large portlights leaks, as we were there on a rainy day).
The only thing that has caught our attention is the crack on the back of the rudder, which is fairly small but there is indication of stains from the crack, so we are wondering about rust and how deep the crack goes.
Do you find the 8hp Yanmar underpowered or should I say very underpowered as I am sure it could use a bit larger engine.

 

[gmeyerga]

re salt on the engine: the water impeller shaft seals on the 1gm tend to leak, particularly in tidal water with sediments in it. the water will run out through weep holes and run down the front of the engine. on my h27 it has corroded the oil return lines (easily replaced) and the engine block beneath where the impeller pump shaft goes into the engine. i had to rebuild the seat for the pump with jb-weld, and so far so good. ask the surveyor to check carefully for the condition of the engine block where there are salt deposits.

 

[aeronca]

re salt on the engine: the water impeller shaft seals on the 1gm tend to leak, particularly in tidal water with sediments in it. the water will run out through weep holes and run down the front of the engine. on my h27 it has corroded the oil return lines (easily replaced) and the engine block beneath where the impeller pump shaft goes into the engine. i had to rebuild the seat for the pump with jb-weld, and so far so good. ask the surveyor to check carefully for the condition of the engine block where there are salt deposits.

Thanks will do.

 

[MarcI]

How much Power do you want?

...the only thing I find lacking is she is a bit underpowered especially when dealing with motoring into chop, I typically adjust my attitude and bear off one way or the other...

Thanks Jimboyyy, I'm one of the other owners in this, er, investment. Your comment caught my eye. Though I'm all for adjusting my attitude, I'm curious... how much power does your boat have and how much would you prefer? Cheers!

 

[rbietry]

I have an 81 27' and did some calculations when I was looking to re-power. Hull speed requires just over 12Hp.

 

[FourPoints]

Not the exact same hull as you're looking at, but I have a 1990 Hunter 27' with an Tohatsu 8 hp outboard, and I find I really need a couple of extra HP when dealing with chop or motoring directly into the wind. I'm on the lookout for a 9.8hp engine that I could do a direct swap of my powerhead with...

 

[David in Sandusky]

Power on the h27

Our '77 h27 came with the original 1SB, speced at 8 HP. While it was underpowered for bucking wind and waves, it would drive the boat at 4.8 kts in flat water. We cruised Lake Erie for 8 years with this engine, simply not motoring into the teeth of a big wind - we would sail somewhere else, or lay over.

Then the engine blew a head gasket, we had this repaired, but soon realized that we were probably getting closer to 6 hp out of it - enough to get in and out of port, but not good enough to take us up the Detroit River to Lake Huron on our way to the North Channel.

We ended up with a lucky find of a 1GM10 with 50 hours on it from Torresson Marine. With a Campbell Sailor prop, it will drive us at hull speed in flat water. And we averaged 5.5 knots on our 950 nm trip to the North Channel, much of that motoring, or motor sailing.

 

[Jimboyyy]

I have the original 1gm10 8hp...I have noticed a nice increase in speed with the shiny new bottom. Its amazing how much more tender she is. Makes me want new sails all the more.