Hunter 310 1999

[Necessity]

Trying to figure out where to begin with a couple of Gremlins that hopefully will be easy to fix before the boat goes back into the water for the season.
Last August the boat was left at the mooring for a few weeks and when I returned and started and gave her some throttle immediately smelled a burning plastic smell and upon further inspection my stereo speakers, stern light (blackened from inside), VHF, and radar failed to work. The engine start lights and start panel also don’t function properly since this occurred. My only guess was a lightening strike during the time the boat was sitting at the mooring due to the severe storms we had in the area. Any feedback would be helpful before I call in a professional.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

A “professional” is going to use a simple volt ohm meter to inspect, check and replace any damaged wiring. Almost anyone with a modicum of commen sense can do most if not all of that.

 

[dlochner]

If you believe it was a lightning strike, the first call should have been to your insurance company who would have paid for a surveyor to inspect the boat and paid for the repairs if it was indeed a lightning strike. Assuming of course you have hull insurance. It is probably too late to do that now.

Start with a simple visual inspection of all the wiring, look for evidence of over heating, things like blackened wiring, melted insulation, smoke damage. Look for blown fuses.

And disconnect the batteries before the place burns down.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The first thing you will need is the boat's wiring diagrams. I'm sitting here on your sistership and it's not an easy process. My first thoughts would be to disconnect the batteries and any electrical input to the boat. Start from the (+) battery terminal leads and start checking for continuity to the electrical panel. Check off each circuit on the wiring diagrams as you go.

Depending on how many faults you find, you may be able to do the repairs yourself if the damage is limited.

 

[rgranger]

Almost anyone with a modicum of commen sense can do most if not all of that.

that is not fair. For those of us who have taken an electronics course ( or intro physics) that is a true statement. And though I consider myself common when it comes to sense … if I were to perform a “simple” appendectomy on you… you are most likely gonna die

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

if I were to perform a “simple” appendectomy on you… you are most likely gonna die

Forget the probability of success, how much would it cost ?

 

[Tally Ho]

If it was me, and no, I am not an electrician, I would call my insurance company first and then hire a competent marine electrician…this doesn’t sound like an easy repair. I can run a new wire or two, but if my boat was struck by lightening, and I am smelling burning plastic or insulation, half of my circuits aren’t working, it is time to call a professional.

Greg

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Is your boat insured?
If insured, the carrier will need to inspect first which a marine surveyor will need to come out. There may be other damage you are unaware of.

the man whom would know the best to talk with is Joe Kerr with the forum help desk as he probably designed your electrical system on the Hunter 33.

 

[JamesG161]

the man whom would know the best to talk with is Joe Kerr

Joe actually wired my boat!

Amazing source of info. Worth the $35 for sure
Jim...

 

[Squeezie]

Trying to figure out where to begin with a couple of Gremlins that hopefully will be easy to fix before the boat goes back into the water for the season.
Last August the boat was left at the mooring for a few weeks and when I returned and started and gave her some throttle immediately smelled a burning plastic smell and upon further inspection my stereo speakers, stern light (blackened from inside), VHF, and radar failed to work. The engine start lights and start panel also don’t function properly since this occurred. My only guess was a lightening strike during the time the boat was sitting at the mooring due to the severe storms we had in the area. Any feedback would be helpful before I call in a professional.

Hello Necessity. Sorry to hear about the electrical issue. Most likely a burnt out ground wire from lightning strike, which would affect multiple instruments. Easily detected with an ohmmeter to 'buzz out' and isolate the problem; but if you ain't an electrical engineer a good yard can quickly do it. l I am the original owner of Necessity - bought new in late 1998. I installed the main reefing system. She'll get you through anything LI Sound can dish out, with style at 6 kts with a little wind. WB Westport, CT;

 

[LloydB]

Necessity
has not been seen since his initial post on this thread April of 2023 and anyone with a modicum of common decency can probably guess why.

 

[dlochner]

Necessity
has not been seen since his initial post on this thread April of 2023 and anyone with a modicum of common decency can probably guess why.

I'm not sure I understand your point. She posted her questions on April 2 and was last seen on April 8. It seems likely she did read these posts, which strongly suggested the boat was hit by lightning. Looking at her posting history, she is not a frequent poster, having posted in 2021 and not again until this past April.

How do you think the forum members should have responded?

 

[rgranger]

Necessity
has not been seen since his initial post on this thread April of 2023 and anyone with a modicum of common decency can probably guess why.

Yep! She is probably offended by your pronoun...

 

[dlochner]

Yep! She is probably offended by your pronoun...

Lloyd got the pronoun right.

 

[rgranger]

, she is not a frequent poster,?

Lloyd got the pronoun right.

Oh!!! Sorry @LloydB

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Whenever I help someone, I ask them to post their results without mentioning me to make sure the end result was successful