Hunter 44DS Chain Plates

[Harry vdM]

I am posting this to seek advise from the Hunter owner community.

I am considering buying a 2004 Hunter 44DS to do coastal cruising for extended periods of time. I love the lay-out and space of this yacht. I am not planning to do any serious off-shore sailing. So I think this is the perfect boat for me. Obviously, I will have the boat surveyed prior to purchase. However, I have a question about chain plates.

I plan on keeping the boat for 15 years or so and will do most of the maintenance myself.

My concern is about chain plates, both mid ships and at the bow. I read about failures of these on older boats.

I wondered if you can give me pointers as to how to inspect these for corrosion on the H44. Can this be done without taking half the boat apart? If there is corrosion, do you know if the chain plates can be replaced on these yachts?

Your help is much appreciated!

Regards - Harry

 

[tkwhalen]

I've had my 44 since 2004 and thus far have had no issue with my chain plates. There 3 other 44's in my marina and I'm am not aware of any issue with the other boats. I had an 85 Hunter 40 prior to this 44 from 1994 to 2004 and never had any issues with that boat either (well no chian plate issues holding tanks on that model were the problem). My guess is your chain plate rumors are from very old vintage Hunters say 1980 and earlier. Hunter quality has changed significantly over the years. There was and issue with the tang that attaches the forestay to the Seldon mast on 44's which Seldon fixed in a recall. You can read all about it in this forum. Good Luck and if you jump you will enjoy the boat. She will make a fabulous cruiser.

 

[Rick486]

Chain plates are all accessible behind easily removed joinerwork.

 

[Marc14857]

Hunter 44 chain plates

No issues with the chain plates on my 2005 H44. Easy to inspect on the 44 AC and I suspect the deck salon by removing the trim cover plate on the interior shelves.

 

[Harry vdM]

Re: Hunter 44 chain plates

Thanks for your input. Very helpful. Are there any issues with this model that I should be aware of? I am mostly concerned with quality and durability.

Thanks - Harry

 

[Rick486]

Re: Hunter 44 chain plates

I'm on year six since new and the only thing I've had to fix beyond regular maintenance was the rubber o-ring on the pump out deck fitting was too large and the cover was difficult to unscrew. No kidding. That's been it. Great boat. Great dealer.

 

[Akapeterc]

I have only had my 2003 44 DS for five months and I love it. They chain plates on the side are easily accessible not sure about the front one. As my yacht is one thousand kilometres away from my home at the moment I am still learning and discovering things. In six weeks time I will be having my longest trip on it yet, Down from Moreton Bay to Lake Macquarie where it will be based. Besides day sailing around Morten bay our trip from Bundaberg down to Moreton Bay has been our biggest trip so far, 4 leisurely days. I find the boat a dream to sail.

 

[tkwhalen]

Hmmmm let's see this is my 9th season with mine and the only repairs I can think of are ... 1- the latches on the transom lazarette lockers tear out if you let the covers drop/slam down I my case I have repaired the fiberglass twice to remount the latch 2- the latches that hold open the companion way doors tear out if (more like when) people fall into to them which happens more often than you would think if your out sailing on a blustery day again I have repaired the molded line holder twice and reattached the latches... 3 - the flush mount latches in the rear cockpit lockers leaked water so I replaced them and 4- the light fixture in the v-berth went bad and I replaced it... 5- the fore stay tang recall I mentioned above.... That is the some total of my repairs over the last nine years. Since latches have been my biggest problen I will agree with Rick it is a Great Boat.

 

[Harry vdM]

Thanks for your comments. Great feedback.