Hey all! I am looking at a 1991 Hunter 30T for possible purchase. My question to you guys is are there any issues with Hunters of this vintage that you know about or that I should look for? The asking price is right at $15000 but they are from out of state and are wanting to sell it where is..as is. It definitely needs a bottom job. Last one done was 5 years ago. Thoughts?
Hunter 30T issues before buying?
- Thread starter KevinKirby
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,752
Hi Kevin.
Your previous post was about a stuck Galley table on this boat. Lets get real.
You are considering an “AS IS” boat purchase of a 31year old boat.
You need to be concerned about EVERYTHING on that boat.
On a boat that old you may need to spend 15-30 thousand to make it safe to sail.
If the $15,000 price sounds scary to you then you should hire a $500 professional surveyor to examine the boat and give you an opinion. “Is this boat worth $15,000”?
The survey will also point out the most egregious issues with the boat. This will give you a project list to improve the boat and ready it for your safe sailing.
Your previous post was about a stuck Galley table on this boat. Lets get real.
You are considering an “AS IS” boat purchase of a 31year old boat.
You need to be concerned about EVERYTHING on that boat.
On a boat that old you may need to spend 15-30 thousand to make it safe to sail.
If the $15,000 price sounds scary to you then you should hire a $500 professional surveyor to examine the boat and give you an opinion. “Is this boat worth $15,000”?
The survey will also point out the most egregious issues with the boat. This will give you a project list to improve the boat and ready it for your safe sailing.
IMHO it is better to take out a loan and buy a better boat than to buy an older boat with cash on hand and then attempt to bring it back up to acceptable standards. If I had it to do over (or if I was you) I would look in the $50,000 range. You will likely end up spending that anyway so why not start out with a nice boat? A few of the marinas around here are refusing to take in boats that are over ten years old.
I paid twice that for my '91 H30T a few years back. My biggest peeve is the cast iron keel that likes to rust thru. Many folks dislike the Hood 810 furler because you can't reef it. Not a concern for me really. The Yanmar is very reliable. We removed the table because it takes up too much space. No way to stow it.
There's always the usual stuff; sail condition, cushions, systems status e.g. AC, refrigeration, instruments.
Overall I'm pretty pleased with the H30T. The admiral loves it and that is all that matters.
There's always the usual stuff; sail condition, cushions, systems status e.g. AC, refrigeration, instruments.
Overall I'm pretty pleased with the H30T. The admiral loves it and that is all that matters.
Great Advice! The problem I have is that all the surveyors I have contacted are tied up in Florida doing insurance surveys. 3-4 weeks out till they can get to me.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,752
Are those the ones who imbibe a bit to much of the demon rum.... Florida is said to have tough law enforcement.
Getting serious... It is winter. There will be a change soon. Perhaps the time is a help to a buy that is often an impulse.
If this is a serious boat for you and you are in love with the looks, feel, condition, all of that is normal and good. Make an offer on the boat to start the deal. Be up front with the seller. his boat looks good, but it is a big purchase. I want to get the boat professionally inspected before the deal can be completed. This is for the safety of me and my crew (family). You can understand that I am sure. I have contacted several surveyors and they are " (what ever they say) ". I have a hired one and the earliest he/she can be here to look at the boat is the XX of December, what with the holidays.
I'd like to put $XX.XX (usually 5-10% of the offer price) down in escrow to hold the boat.
If the current seller is serious they will see this as a fair offer. It will relieve them of the sales burden and give them hope that the boat is going to be sold.
You'll likely need a survey for insurance purposes in any event... you may just have to book it and wait - or bring in a surveyor from further afield. The iron keels can be a real issue maintenance wise.. they can be dealt with properly but if not it will be an annual chore.
A quick peek shows several 30Ts listed in the mid-to-high 20K range.. The others are right, you'd be better off looking at one of those unless you're pretty highly skilled and boat-savvey.
A quick peek shows several 30Ts listed in the mid-to-high 20K range.. The others are right, you'd be better off looking at one of those unless you're pretty highly skilled and boat-savvey.
I bought 2 boats under $25k each. a 1996 Hunter 280 and a 1988 O’Day 322.
Both boats were in excellent condition for their age, and I was able to bring them home and sail them.
I think if you are careful in inspecting and selecting a 30-foot boat, you can get a decent boat in you price range.
If you are not familiar with boat issues, best to hire a surveyor to inspect the boat. Could save you some big headaches down the road. I hired a surveyor when I bought my first boat…but for the second purchase, I did a short haulout, and hired a surveyor to just inspect keel, rudder, underwater gear, etc.
All boats of that vintage are going to have some issues…a bottom job is more of a maintenance item than a “problem” that should cause you to walk away.
A boat is sort of like a woman…you should have a knot in your stomach, sweaty palms, and trouble sleeping when you find the right one
.Have fun and good luck!
Greg
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,752
I whole heartily concur with these conditions/prerequisites.
I just went with a fellow on our dock to look at a Bayliner 3587 with twin diesels that he wanted to spend big money on. While he wore rose colored glasses, I took pictures. Then we went on a "Sea Trial". For the owner it was a "you get on the boat while I take you outside the marina" . My friend invited his nephew a diesel mechanic and a fellow SBO owner and me. While the mechanic looked at the engine systems, we SBO's looked at the hull. What we discovered was a serious area of water intrusion and delamination on the bow under the forward windows. Suddenly the "This boat is in near bristol condition" became something else. The negotiations changed.
The key to understanding the value of a boat is all about understanding the boat. You can learn about boats through a lifetime of experiences or you can seek out expertise. The decision is yours. You need to have that "knot in your stomach" feel to deal with the discoveries boat ownership will share. It is better is that feeling is tempered with an initial understanding of the cold hard facts. You can still ignore the facts but at least you know them.
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