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Robert Gillan
Check this!
Bill: No doubt you will be employing the services of a marine surveyor. In addition you might consider getting a diesel mechanic to examine the Yanmar; surveyors often only give a cursory look at the donkey. My '94 29.5 has suffered from the rub rail pulling away from the hull/deck join and of course water then comes in every where, especially the aft lower lockers as the rub rail is at the waterline at the stern. A survey should detect the rub rail problem. The inset ports on the '94 leak! The design was subsequently changed. If it is dry the day of the survey, spray the ports with a hose. Actually give the entire deck area a going over as it should expose any topside leaks. The Schaefer blocks on the traveler are too small for that large main; see if they have been upgraded. When the boat is out of the water the surveyor will check for blistering. My boat had significant blistering along the join of the two hull halves and below the waterline in the bow. Batteries: I don't know what it is but boat batteries seem to be greatly abused and your surveyor may pay scant attention to them. Check the electrolyte level yourself. Check to see what electrical upgrades have been made (if any). I'm sure other 29.5 owners will give you further advice but this should give you a start. And good luck. Bob Gillan
Bill: No doubt you will be employing the services of a marine surveyor. In addition you might consider getting a diesel mechanic to examine the Yanmar; surveyors often only give a cursory look at the donkey. My '94 29.5 has suffered from the rub rail pulling away from the hull/deck join and of course water then comes in every where, especially the aft lower lockers as the rub rail is at the waterline at the stern. A survey should detect the rub rail problem. The inset ports on the '94 leak! The design was subsequently changed. If it is dry the day of the survey, spray the ports with a hose. Actually give the entire deck area a going over as it should expose any topside leaks. The Schaefer blocks on the traveler are too small for that large main; see if they have been upgraded. When the boat is out of the water the surveyor will check for blistering. My boat had significant blistering along the join of the two hull halves and below the waterline in the bow. Batteries: I don't know what it is but boat batteries seem to be greatly abused and your surveyor may pay scant attention to them. Check the electrolyte level yourself. Check to see what electrical upgrades have been made (if any). I'm sure other 29.5 owners will give you further advice but this should give you a start. And good luck. Bob Gillan
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Joan
Check
Hull #91, wonder what hull # Gillan's was. The Schaefer block on traveler was updated on ours. Also from talking to other owners, I believe that the stern was slighty changed on our model. Initially had leaks on he starboard side that were fixed under warranty and a couple of ports were replaced. It's been a dry boat since then. Check out the keel, too. It sails great! We do have a spinaker halyard, extra winches for same on coaming, etc. We use a balooner, which makes sailing downwind a possibility.
Hull #91, wonder what hull # Gillan's was. The Schaefer block on traveler was updated on ours. Also from talking to other owners, I believe that the stern was slighty changed on our model. Initially had leaks on he starboard side that were fixed under warranty and a couple of ports were replaced. It's been a dry boat since then. Check out the keel, too. It sails great! We do have a spinaker halyard, extra winches for same on coaming, etc. We use a balooner, which makes sailing downwind a possibility.
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Alex Pascu
Check my boat review , and others.
It might give you a good idea what to look for , or be aware off . I get thar 94' was not a grea year for 29.5.. From 96 om they improved much.
It might give you a good idea what to look for , or be aware off . I get thar 94' was not a grea year for 29.5.. From 96 om they improved much.
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George Thompson
Read This
Survey the boat, and the engine. The following are a few comments from 29.5 owners. They may be helpfull. "Engine overheats at full throttle. Have had many coversations with dealer and Hunter. Don't run over 3000 RPMs (about 6 knots) and it's not a problem." "Holding tank will over run into back of boat when full." "I think swept back spreaders which eliminates the back stay was not a bad idea, but forget sailing dead down wind. It does take some getting used to. In fact, down wind performance is not good at all." Get a boat with a spinaker, or genniker. "The main winch for raising the main sail could have been the next size bigger. The 29.5 has a big main sail and it takes some effort to get it hoisted." This seems like a common problem. "Hard boom-vang" A good Idea. "Water collects in the rear gear lockers." "Companionway slide doesn't drain properly giving the cabin a shower when opened after a rain" "Painted aluminum bow roller is improved by stainless in newer models" "leaking on big-front windows" "poor drainage design on main hatch" "poor drainage opening ports" "Portholes invite water retention or leak." Nothing is perfect, especially boats. However, the 29.5 is a great boat for the money. Good Luck
Survey the boat, and the engine. The following are a few comments from 29.5 owners. They may be helpfull. "Engine overheats at full throttle. Have had many coversations with dealer and Hunter. Don't run over 3000 RPMs (about 6 knots) and it's not a problem." "Holding tank will over run into back of boat when full." "I think swept back spreaders which eliminates the back stay was not a bad idea, but forget sailing dead down wind. It does take some getting used to. In fact, down wind performance is not good at all." Get a boat with a spinaker, or genniker. "The main winch for raising the main sail could have been the next size bigger. The 29.5 has a big main sail and it takes some effort to get it hoisted." This seems like a common problem. "Hard boom-vang" A good Idea. "Water collects in the rear gear lockers." "Companionway slide doesn't drain properly giving the cabin a shower when opened after a rain" "Painted aluminum bow roller is improved by stainless in newer models" "leaking on big-front windows" "poor drainage design on main hatch" "poor drainage opening ports" "Portholes invite water retention or leak." Nothing is perfect, especially boats. However, the 29.5 is a great boat for the money. Good Luck
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George K
Similar situation
Bill, I too am just about ready to make an offer on a '94 - hull #74. The previous owner was meticulous. The boat is very clean, inside and out. About to do a test sail. If you could I'd like to chat with you further on this. Can e-mail if you wish (georgejk@worldnet.att.net) George
Bill, I too am just about ready to make an offer on a '94 - hull #74. The previous owner was meticulous. The boat is very clean, inside and out. About to do a test sail. If you could I'd like to chat with you further on this. Can e-mail if you wish (georgejk@worldnet.att.net) George
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Clay
Just bought one
Look for a good deal. I just bought one '94 with dodger,bimini,refrigeration,radar,autopilot,gps, -traded in a '84 catalina 25 and financed $32k
Look for a good deal. I just bought one '94 with dodger,bimini,refrigeration,radar,autopilot,gps, -traded in a '84 catalina 25 and financed $32k
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George Thompson
Looking too - Any help appreciated
I am in the market for a 29.5. I would appreciate any help. Negotiation tips, what to pay? What to look for, etc. willing to share my thoughts and boat inspection results. I just looked at a 29.5 this past weekend. The owner could have done a better job cleaning up the boat. Please e-mail me at gtktmail@warwick.net
I am in the market for a 29.5. I would appreciate any help. Negotiation tips, what to pay? What to look for, etc. willing to share my thoughts and boat inspection results. I just looked at a 29.5 this past weekend. The owner could have done a better job cleaning up the boat. Please e-mail me at gtktmail@warwick.net
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Bruce Mulford
Just bought a 1997 H 29.5 in June 99
Very happy with the choice. Did have a surveyor who was very good, result was a lot of peace of mind in knowing soundness of boat and equipment. Looked at 4 other 29.5's while shopping. Only thing at all disapointed with is the ventilation in the aft berth, especially as hot as this month has been - there was only one fan in this boat - need more. The 97 has some nice improvements over the earlier models and some of the bugs I've seen listed here have been fixed by then. If you have specific questions feel free to e-mail me at mulf@aol.com. Good luck!
Very happy with the choice. Did have a surveyor who was very good, result was a lot of peace of mind in knowing soundness of boat and equipment. Looked at 4 other 29.5's while shopping. Only thing at all disapointed with is the ventilation in the aft berth, especially as hot as this month has been - there was only one fan in this boat - need more. The 97 has some nice improvements over the earlier models and some of the bugs I've seen listed here have been fixed by then. If you have specific questions feel free to e-mail me at mulf@aol.com. Good luck!
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