I am considering the purchase of a Hunter 31, 1985 - 1988 range, and would like info on its strong and weak points. I am looking for a shoal draft, stable family cruiser, which will not heel over too quickly. The quality of accomodations is more important than speed. I don`t have a lot of time for maintenance. Alternatively, I`m considering the 28.5 or the 30. Thanks for any input you may have.
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Great Boat.
Guy: These are very nice boats. If you make sure that there is no leakage in the compression post and no problems with the tanks they are a very solid boat. Check the archives for any other problems. If you are looking at a 1987 model, I believe that they had a semi-circular settee. The earlier models have seating for two looking forward and two aft. Refinish ALL of the exterior wood with Cetol and refinish the gel coat with Island Girl and you will have minimum maintenance other than putting her away for the winter. If you get a boat that has been well maintained you will not need to do much to keep it up. As far as a boat that does not heal too quickly, that is a somewhat relative term. If you sail in light winds you'll never need to worry about it. If you are sailing in 15-20+ knots you will need a reef. I cannot say enough good about the boat. I don't think you can buy a boat with bigger accomodation in the size & price range.
Guy: These are very nice boats. If you make sure that there is no leakage in the compression post and no problems with the tanks they are a very solid boat. Check the archives for any other problems. If you are looking at a 1987 model, I believe that they had a semi-circular settee. The earlier models have seating for two looking forward and two aft. Refinish ALL of the exterior wood with Cetol and refinish the gel coat with Island Girl and you will have minimum maintenance other than putting her away for the winter. If you get a boat that has been well maintained you will not need to do much to keep it up. As far as a boat that does not heal too quickly, that is a somewhat relative term. If you sail in light winds you'll never need to worry about it. If you are sailing in 15-20+ knots you will need a reef. I cannot say enough good about the boat. I don't think you can buy a boat with bigger accomodation in the size & price range.
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Steve Larson
I'm happy with mine
I bought an H31 last year and have been very pleased with it. In strong winds it will heel over -mine went to about 45 degrees in about 30 knot winds and I put a reef in and trimed the sail flat and it was then fine. I also just purchased a new mainsail as my old one was a bit baggy. The space inside is better than I have seen on similar size boats and the cockpit is set up very nicely. Also, the H31 is set up well for single handed sailing.
I bought an H31 last year and have been very pleased with it. In strong winds it will heel over -mine went to about 45 degrees in about 30 knot winds and I put a reef in and trimed the sail flat and it was then fine. I also just purchased a new mainsail as my old one was a bit baggy. The space inside is better than I have seen on similar size boats and the cockpit is set up very nicely. Also, the H31 is set up well for single handed sailing.
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Chuck
I'm very happy with mine
I purchased my 1984 h31 last year & could not be happier. The boat is easy to sail. I have no trouble single handed. The interior spaces are fantastic for a boat this size. The interior is very usable. I sail on Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY. The boat sails great, looks good and does not require a lot of work, life is good. Now if I could find a way to extend the sailing season........ Chuck S/V Kililani
I purchased my 1984 h31 last year & could not be happier. The boat is easy to sail. I have no trouble single handed. The interior spaces are fantastic for a boat this size. The interior is very usable. I sail on Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY. The boat sails great, looks good and does not require a lot of work, life is good. Now if I could find a way to extend the sailing season........ Chuck S/V Kililani
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bob
owned h31 for 5 yrs - great boat
i echo the other comments...there's no better boat for coastal cruising for the money...i understand some boats have had compression post problems, but mine didn't...my boat sold after being on the market in fl for only 10 days...
i echo the other comments...there's no better boat for coastal cruising for the money...i understand some boats have had compression post problems, but mine didn't...my boat sold after being on the market in fl for only 10 days...
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Larry Stewart
Love ours!!
We purchased our first boat 3 years ago...an 87 Hunter 31 and have loved it ever since. For a newbie, it is very forgiving and the accommodations are excellent for my wife and I. Took the boat up the bay for eight days this past September, the room, handling, and ease of maintaining is super. I'm one of those people who like to do all the maintenance themselves and I became an expert on redoing the entire plumbing on it the first year we had her. We may trade up one day but for right now...it's the perfect boat for us. ...Larry... "Sandy Sea"
We purchased our first boat 3 years ago...an 87 Hunter 31 and have loved it ever since. For a newbie, it is very forgiving and the accommodations are excellent for my wife and I. Took the boat up the bay for eight days this past September, the room, handling, and ease of maintaining is super. I'm one of those people who like to do all the maintenance themselves and I became an expert on redoing the entire plumbing on it the first year we had her. We may trade up one day but for right now...it's the perfect boat for us. ...Larry... "Sandy Sea"
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Don
Ditto, and mine's for sale....
I've had my 84 31' for four years and really love her. I've done most of the maintenance my self and basically learned to sail a big boat on her. As someone already said, the 31 is very forgiving and rewarding. And, the systems are easy to maintain. For personal reasons I'm moving up to a 37.5. Otherwise, I wouldn't for a moment hesistate to stay with my 31. Gret deal on my boat in the HOW listing, but it's in Annapolis.
I've had my 84 31' for four years and really love her. I've done most of the maintenance my self and basically learned to sail a big boat on her. As someone already said, the 31 is very forgiving and rewarding. And, the systems are easy to maintain. For personal reasons I'm moving up to a 37.5. Otherwise, I wouldn't for a moment hesistate to stay with my 31. Gret deal on my boat in the HOW listing, but it's in Annapolis.
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Bob Rutland
Great Boat
We own a 84 H31. I moved up to this boat from a H23.5 and I think this boat is easier to sail, more forgiving, and much faster. Go for the deep fin keel if you have enough water where you live. Good luck, Bob S/V Lady Di II
We own a 84 H31. I moved up to this boat from a H23.5 and I think this boat is easier to sail, more forgiving, and much faster. Go for the deep fin keel if you have enough water where you live. Good luck, Bob S/V Lady Di II
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Tom Madura
Great boat
The H31 is a great boat. I bought my '85 last year after owning an old wooden 31 footer for ten years. I did about six months of extensive research on used boats, and dealt with four different yacht brokers on Lake Erie. I started out not even considering Hunters, but after actually looking closely at probably forty boats in the same price range, the Hunter 31 was definitely the most boat for the money. My wife and I used it extensively last season, living aboard most weekends from June through October, and I certainly have no second thoughts. I can't wait to get her back in the water.
The H31 is a great boat. I bought my '85 last year after owning an old wooden 31 footer for ten years. I did about six months of extensive research on used boats, and dealt with four different yacht brokers on Lake Erie. I started out not even considering Hunters, but after actually looking closely at probably forty boats in the same price range, the Hunter 31 was definitely the most boat for the money. My wife and I used it extensively last season, living aboard most weekends from June through October, and I certainly have no second thoughts. I can't wait to get her back in the water.
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John
Super boat
She does heel a bit, but that's when she scoots! The deep draft version points better that the shoal. They fit in the smaller (less expensive) marina wells, but have more interior room than some 38 footers. They're priced very reasonable. We bought our 1983 H31 three years ago, and love it. But as in any sailboat, some maintenance is required.
She does heel a bit, but that's when she scoots! The deep draft version points better that the shoal. They fit in the smaller (less expensive) marina wells, but have more interior room than some 38 footers. They're priced very reasonable. We bought our 1983 H31 three years ago, and love it. But as in any sailboat, some maintenance is required.
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Guy LeClair
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