I am looking at a 1984 Hunter 31. The ad claims the engine is a Yanmar 2GMF 18 hp. From what I have read that engine is a 13hp. Who is correct? The steel keel concerns me. What problems have there been with other Hunters with steel keels? Any problems with the bolts that hold the keel in place? Is there a lot of rust falling off? I currently have a Hunter 27 with a lead keel with no problems. What problems should I look for? According to the forum reports I have read most people are happy with the Hunter 31. Thanks for any help. Norm Hildreth
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F
Forrest B True
h31 horsepower
Norm: I'm quoting from the Yanmar manual concerning the 2GM20F model. Continuous rating output @3400 rpm 16 hp. 1 hr rating @ 3600 rpm 18 hp. The F stands for fresh water cooled. The cast iron keel does present a cosmetic problem but thats about it. Being cast iron the center of gravity is not as low as a lead keel and you will find that you will have to reef a little earlier than a boat of the same size with a lead keel. Really a great boat for the Buck.
Norm: I'm quoting from the Yanmar manual concerning the 2GM20F model. Continuous rating output @3400 rpm 16 hp. 1 hr rating @ 3600 rpm 18 hp. The F stands for fresh water cooled. The cast iron keel does present a cosmetic problem but thats about it. Being cast iron the center of gravity is not as low as a lead keel and you will find that you will have to reef a little earlier than a boat of the same size with a lead keel. Really a great boat for the Buck.
J
Jim
2GM
I have a 84 31 with a 2GM which has a heat exchanger and coolant. It is a continuous rating of 13 HP at 3400 RPM and a one hour rating if 15 HP. The rating tag is on the front of the block. Mine is a shoal draft and it out points most other boats. You will be reefing early. You will have to keep after the rust where the keel is attached to the boat. One word of caution: does the cabin smell? If it does you will probably be stuck with it. I put a new pentax main on this year and it has improved the performance especially the pointing and healing.
I have a 84 31 with a 2GM which has a heat exchanger and coolant. It is a continuous rating of 13 HP at 3400 RPM and a one hour rating if 15 HP. The rating tag is on the front of the block. Mine is a shoal draft and it out points most other boats. You will be reefing early. You will have to keep after the rust where the keel is attached to the boat. One word of caution: does the cabin smell? If it does you will probably be stuck with it. I put a new pentax main on this year and it has improved the performance especially the pointing and healing.
S
Steve Larson
Both are correct - Jim read
In 1985 production, Hunter switched to the 2GM20F rated at 16 hp@3400/ 18 hp@3600. Jim, you mentioned a smell in the cabin. I have a smell in my cabin that I have not been able to pinpoint nor eradicate. Do you have any further information on this?
In 1985 production, Hunter switched to the 2GM20F rated at 16 hp@3400/ 18 hp@3600. Jim, you mentioned a smell in the cabin. I have a smell in my cabin that I have not been able to pinpoint nor eradicate. Do you have any further information on this?
J
Jim
Smell
Steve, There has been many articles to the smell. It is between the liner and the hull. With all the drains, [ice box, shower etc.] draining to sump it no wonder there is going to be contamination. I am still working on mine. I am going to but a gallon of chlorine solution in the bow and one in the stern. I am going to put a pin hole in each jug the next time I go out and I hope the solution works it way under the liner to the areas not normally touched when the boat is at rest. I have quit using the ice box drain and shower.
Steve, There has been many articles to the smell. It is between the liner and the hull. With all the drains, [ice box, shower etc.] draining to sump it no wonder there is going to be contamination. I am still working on mine. I am going to but a gallon of chlorine solution in the bow and one in the stern. I am going to put a pin hole in each jug the next time I go out and I hope the solution works it way under the liner to the areas not normally touched when the boat is at rest. I have quit using the ice box drain and shower.
Use some bleach water in your ice box.
As far as the odor goes, I have mixed a bleach and water solution about 2 gals. total (half gal. of bleach and 1.5-2 gal of water) and pour this in your ice box (assuming your ice box drains into your bilge). Let this sit for several hours or overnite. Then you can go for a sail and "most" of the liquid will be released from the grid. As far as the keel is concerned, the cast iron is just fine. Yes it does rust but this is just a maintenance item. That keel will be there long after the rest of the boat. The difference with the cast iron and the lead is the density of the material. In order to get the same ballast with cast iron the fixture has to be made larger. And yes the older engines had a slightly less powerful engine. Yanmar did some minor modification to increase output by 2-3 hp. You are NOT going to find a boat with a larger interior on a 31' boat. Yes they have their problems but so does any other boat. Check out the archives on the H'31. There are problems with a starboard list. It is worse on the early models (batteries in the starboard lazarette). The compression post and cross member can be a problem. A good H'31 can cost into the low $30's but if you are getting good sails and no structural problems they are a great boat. Reef early and sail flat, you love her.
As far as the odor goes, I have mixed a bleach and water solution about 2 gals. total (half gal. of bleach and 1.5-2 gal of water) and pour this in your ice box (assuming your ice box drains into your bilge). Let this sit for several hours or overnite. Then you can go for a sail and "most" of the liquid will be released from the grid. As far as the keel is concerned, the cast iron is just fine. Yes it does rust but this is just a maintenance item. That keel will be there long after the rest of the boat. The difference with the cast iron and the lead is the density of the material. In order to get the same ballast with cast iron the fixture has to be made larger. And yes the older engines had a slightly less powerful engine. Yanmar did some minor modification to increase output by 2-3 hp. You are NOT going to find a boat with a larger interior on a 31' boat. Yes they have their problems but so does any other boat. Check out the archives on the H'31. There are problems with a starboard list. It is worse on the early models (batteries in the starboard lazarette). The compression post and cross member can be a problem. A good H'31 can cost into the low $30's but if you are getting good sails and no structural problems they are a great boat. Reef early and sail flat, you love her.
J
Jerry Stacey
Great value boat
Norm, Bought my 1987, Hunter 31 last year. Had several problems that were easy to overcome due to solutions I found on this great website such as 1) Several windows leaked, spent one sunny day removing the caulking, cleaning the frames and reinstalling with new sealant. No more leaky windows. 2) Several leaks along toe rail, I re-torqued toe rails and discovered that many bolts were quite loose. After about 2 hours work, no more leaks at toe rail. 3) Really bad smell in washroom, after several cleanings with various cleaners the smell persisted then I changed out the flexible sewer hose with quality hose and presto smell was gone. 4) Sour cabin smell, Ended up cleaning bilges, plugged drains from shower and ice box. I now also take a few minutes after a days sailing to remove any water in bilge and under engine. This summer the boat is great , all foul smells are gone, no leaks. This forum is a great place for trouble shooting. I am very pleased with my Hunter 31. Good luck and good sailing.
Norm, Bought my 1987, Hunter 31 last year. Had several problems that were easy to overcome due to solutions I found on this great website such as 1) Several windows leaked, spent one sunny day removing the caulking, cleaning the frames and reinstalling with new sealant. No more leaky windows. 2) Several leaks along toe rail, I re-torqued toe rails and discovered that many bolts were quite loose. After about 2 hours work, no more leaks at toe rail. 3) Really bad smell in washroom, after several cleanings with various cleaners the smell persisted then I changed out the flexible sewer hose with quality hose and presto smell was gone. 4) Sour cabin smell, Ended up cleaning bilges, plugged drains from shower and ice box. I now also take a few minutes after a days sailing to remove any water in bilge and under engine. This summer the boat is great , all foul smells are gone, no leaks. This forum is a great place for trouble shooting. I am very pleased with my Hunter 31. Good luck and good sailing.
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