Hunter 27 Interior Redo

braol · Apr 9, 2015

Nice upgrades!

I've got all-LED nav and interior lights, all halyards leading aft, new traveller, new cushions, new window screens and seals, instaling varnished wood accents to cockpit, navy blue-painted transon, all new through-hulls and valves, and I got a bowsprit awaiting installation.

It's great to share updates on these classicly good boats.

stollo770 · Apr 10, 2015

My H27 is one of the rare ones that DOES have a fullsized/deep keel and let me tell you, it sails better than every other boat Ive had/been on in the past. Its super fast (relatively of course), maximum stable, it points so well that once its on course I need not touch the wheel, and its easy to sail single handed. I also have my traveler for the boom right where the wheel is at the rear of the cockpit, so the main sail can put 100% of its energy to use correctly. That set-up, plus my vang, and the mainsail maintains a perfect 90° from the mast no matter how strong the wind is. Plus I got this huge 160 genoa foresail to replace my jib in low wind conditions, so even when its not particularly windy I can still make like 6 knots. The boat also takes all my upgrades/maintenances like a champ. Its so good that I was able to add davits, a solar system and full dinghy set-up to the transom (160lbs) and it didn't phase it. Its the best boat Ive ever owned and I pamper the sh*t out of it to show my appreciation. The list of things I've done is so long I cant even think of it all to post it.

Some upgrades that my boat is getting before launch is:

-Rebuilt hatches with solar fans (done)
-New exhaust system and rubber goods for the engine (done)
-New bottom paint and blister repair (done, paid marina to do it)
-New topside and nonskid paints (done)
-New port lights (pending)
-New mast plugs (pending)
-New thru hull for macerator system (pending)
-New internal a/c system and thru hull system for a/c water (pending)
-Upgrading from 1000v to 2000v pure sine wave inverter (pending)
-Addition of an electric toaster oven and fridge (pending)
-New cockpit cushions (pending, ordered them last week)

And probably some other things that I forget. This is already on top of the boat load (punn intended) of things that I've already done. I happily sink hours/days/months of my time and thousands of my dollars into the boat because I really, really love it. Its just a shame that the other 27s with the shoal keels gave it a bad rep, because I dont experience any of the problems that people say I should have. In fact I regularly smoke newer $200,000 sailboats out on the bay and I've got under $15,000 in mine (probably not for long). It's awesome.

braol · Apr 13, 2015

stollo770 said:
My H27 is one of the rare ones that DOES have a fullsized/deep keel and let me tell you, it sails better than every other boat Ive had/been on in the past. Its super fast (relatively of course), maximum stable, it points so well that once its on course I need not touch the wheel, and its easy to sail single handed. I also have my traveler for the boom right where the wheel is at the rear of the cockpit, so the main sail can put 100% of its energy to use correctly. That set-up, plus my vang, and the mainsail maintains a perfect 90° from the mast no matter how strong the wind is. Plus I got this huge 160 genoa foresail to replace my jib in low wind conditions, so even when its not particularly windy I can still make like 6 knots.

I think I have a deep-keel model, I've never really been 100% sure. How tall is your keel? I'm going out there today and will measure mine and compare with you. Speaking from experience though, my boat is stiff as a board like yours. I wouldn't say that I am the quickest thing around though, but my bottom has never really been all that smooth...I've historically been more concerned with full bottom paint coverage and protection than overall smoothness. With my boat coming out yearly now that might change...

I'd be interested to see a picture of your traveller set-up. I've gone back and forth with the whole traveller position question. I'm cabin top now, but I do have a heavy-duty ring-bolt in front of my wheel that I'll attach the end of the boom to now and again. I'll sheet to the weather rail with an extra purchase sometimes to bring the boom centerline and it does make a difference. Again, still on the fence about relocating the whole traveller. My vang is a 4:1 arrangement, but the lines and tackle are all undersized and i don't get much out of it. That's being fixed right now.

So, a 160 headsail, that must be GREAT. My old 150 was lost by the last boat yard I stored my boat in...still trying to get to the bottom of that one. I have used my spinnaker when I have extra hands available with good results. When running I've also flown a really big kite which gets some strange looks but is a lot of fun. Don't know how much pull I get but every ounce counts! (has to be steady winds or else the kite will loose lift and dive into the water...)

braol · Apr 14, 2015

Canyonkeeper said:
Also, the varnish is getting there. Doing everything on my terrace at my apartment in JC. I am going with a Satin varnish for the interior.

Is your radio and a/c switch mounted next to the nav table? I'd love to see another picture not quite so zoomed-in, I'm thinking of doing something similar...

braol · Apr 14, 2015

My batt charger and 1-2-Both switch are in the locker under the nav table. It really is the best place for it, but I'd love to put a small refrigerator in there. I had thought of just making it an "electronics cabinet" and putting all my switches on the door, but I do hate to give up valuable storage space. I thought of maybe partitioning the cabinet; placing the electrics in the upper portion and leaving the botom open for storage. We'll see...

In conjunction with this I thought of placing the batteries at the center of balance in the boat (inside, middle of the cabin benches). Having the engine and batteries aft (plus all those anchors fore) HAS to play havoc on how the boat sails. I put the anchors and rode under the starboard side bench, so placing the batteries port should about balance out. That has to be well over 100-150lbs that is now lower and centralized. If anything, the boat should hobby-horse a little less...not that it was bad or anything but the essence of sailing is constant tweeking and the endless quest for perfection (I might add simplicity too, but all those electronic gadgets get in the way of that).

braol · Apr 21, 2015

stollo770 said:
My H27 is one of the rare ones that DOES have a fullsized/deep keel and let me tell you, it sails better than every other boat Ive had/been on in the past.

I have measured and confirmed that I do, indeed, have a deep-keel model. 4'9" draft, give-or-take and inch.

pvtpotter · Apr 23, 2015

4'9" ?? Maybe 4'3" I have never seen a 4'9" draft on an H27.

braol · Apr 24, 2015

That was measured from the bottom of the waterline to the base of the keel. My waterline could be off by maybe an inch, depending on loading...but I don't think I miss measured by 9 whole inches. I made sure to subtract the distance between the ground and the base of the keel (I'm on the hard still). How strange. I will have to re-measure, but I also distinctly remember the PO telling me (this was 13 years ago) to allow at least for five feet of depth to make sure the boat clears the bottom.... Maybe I have an ultra-deep keel??? Ha, ha.

braol · May 6, 2015

I see you removed the crappy textured "stuff" from your walls behind the nav station just like me. (I'm still vacuuming foam since the removal.) So you used Awlgrip...did you roll it on?? It looks good. I had thought about just using Brightside single-part paint, but after my recent experience with Interprotect primer I'm not afraid of two-part epoxy paint anymore...except maybe the price...

pvtpotter · May 11, 2015

Back to the post of the electrical panel. How did you handle a cover for the back of it. I have a plastic cover like, http://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea-systems--panel-back-insulating-covers--P009_273_003_525 Did you put a cover over the back? How much does it take away from that "cubby" space on the shelf? Any usable room left?

braol · May 11, 2015

I know from my own experience that as long as you don't ever put items behind the panel, it should be ok.

Hunter 27 Interior Redo

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