I looked at an 89 Hunter 32 Vision today that I am considering buying. This would be my first fixed keel boat and my first diesel. I have a few questions for Vision owners: 1. The side Plexiglas windows and the Plexiglas companion way cover all have surface crazing. Is that a common problem and can the crazing be rubbed/polished out? Does it indicate any structural problem with the window? 2. It has an aluminum holding tank located under the shower seat. The broker says it will be an easy job to cut out a panel, and replace the tank with a plastic tank. Has anyone done this job? 3. The boat has an electric winch for raising the main. It is located on the starboard side of the companionway. The wiring for the winch comes into the head to a junction box mounted on the head and then to the motor and winch that is located where the fiberglass interior bulkhead was cut away. I was kind of surprised the way that this was done. It is all exposed and there is no finished cover. The broker says that this was how they were installed at the factory; to me it looks like it was retrofitted. 4. I noticed a low level diesel smell. The broker said that there had been a small leak and the diesel had gotten into the bilge. He said that once they cleaned it up there would be no residual smell. My wife is very sensitive to the smell of diesel; not being able to get rid of the smell would be a deal breaker for her. 5. Is there anything else that I should look carefully at or ask the surveyor to evaluate Thank you for the help
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Some Thoughts...
I had a 1990 for nine years, but it had some detail differences that I'll let others comment on. I assume you read all the owner feedback in the "the Boats" tab. If not, you should. Also, search the archives here for other threads. 1. It's probably just age and not something that can be polished. You can have new ports made up through a plastics place to match. Hunter used to do it; not sure if they still do. Cosmetic, not structural problem, except in the most extreme cases. There are some threads in the archives (not necessarily V 32 specific as to this) 2. Mine was in a different place. Check the archives. Lots of info on this issue on V 32's with the tank in this location. 3. It's an add on. Was a factory option in later years. A nice marine plywood cover to match the interior joinery would fix that and not be too expensive done professionally. 4. Lots of ways to clean up a spill. Just get a warranty in writing that it's done right as a condition of sale (sail). 5. Just the typical stuff, except you don't have rigging issues. The engine can/will usually need replacement of the exhaust elbow at 500 + hours depending on use. Worth checking out. Also, make sure the water heater isn't leaking. I'm sure others will add more items. Rick D.
I had a 1990 for nine years, but it had some detail differences that I'll let others comment on. I assume you read all the owner feedback in the "the Boats" tab. If not, you should. Also, search the archives here for other threads. 1. It's probably just age and not something that can be polished. You can have new ports made up through a plastics place to match. Hunter used to do it; not sure if they still do. Cosmetic, not structural problem, except in the most extreme cases. There are some threads in the archives (not necessarily V 32 specific as to this) 2. Mine was in a different place. Check the archives. Lots of info on this issue on V 32's with the tank in this location. 3. It's an add on. Was a factory option in later years. A nice marine plywood cover to match the interior joinery would fix that and not be too expensive done professionally. 4. Lots of ways to clean up a spill. Just get a warranty in writing that it's done right as a condition of sale (sail). 5. Just the typical stuff, except you don't have rigging issues. The engine can/will usually need replacement of the exhaust elbow at 500 + hours depending on use. Worth checking out. Also, make sure the water heater isn't leaking. I'm sure others will add more items. Rick D.
Nice Boat
We purchased a Vision 32 in March and like the boat. I did need to replace the holding tank and it was a job getting the old tank out. We also have glazing on the windows but no leaks. My next project is replacing the oversized prop it is a 3 blade 16 x 14. I'm thinking about a Campbell Sailer if any one has any advice other then in the arcives I would like to here. Thanks
We purchased a Vision 32 in March and like the boat. I did need to replace the holding tank and it was a job getting the old tank out. We also have glazing on the windows but no leaks. My next project is replacing the oversized prop it is a 3 blade 16 x 14. I'm thinking about a Campbell Sailer if any one has any advice other then in the arcives I would like to here. Thanks
Where and How?
Dennis, Where was your tank located and was this a job that you did yourself. I saw a few posts in the archive but not a lot of detail. The one that I am looking at is under the shower seat, so I am interested in knowing how big would be the dimensions that I would need to cut, and where I might find a plastic replacement? Several posts mention Ronco, but don't give dimensions. Rick, thank you for the information. I have added exhaust elbow and water heater leak to my list. Have been through the archives and gotten quite a bit of good information.
Dennis, Where was your tank located and was this a job that you did yourself. I saw a few posts in the archive but not a lot of detail. The one that I am looking at is under the shower seat, so I am interested in knowing how big would be the dimensions that I would need to cut, and where I might find a plastic replacement? Several posts mention Ronco, but don't give dimensions. Rick, thank you for the information. I have added exhaust elbow and water heater leak to my list. Have been through the archives and gotten quite a bit of good information.
Holding Tank
My tank was also located under the shower seat. I did the repair myself but called Hunter Tech suport and they emailed a drawing on where to cut the seat out to remove the tank. The tanks are glassed in and you have to take small pieces out at a time. I think it took me all day. I did not get the tank from Ronco I had one made by a different company. I have the name of the company at home and will reply back later. It was a job removing the tank and I do not have my cutout glassed in yet. I will not do the glass repairmyself but hire it out. Good luck
My tank was also located under the shower seat. I did the repair myself but called Hunter Tech suport and they emailed a drawing on where to cut the seat out to remove the tank. The tanks are glassed in and you have to take small pieces out at a time. I think it took me all day. I did not get the tank from Ronco I had one made by a different company. I have the name of the company at home and will reply back later. It was a job removing the tank and I do not have my cutout glassed in yet. I will not do the glass repairmyself but hire it out. Good luck
Sorry
Sorry Jerry I can not think of the name of the company I got the tank from and the receipt is on the boat located 300 miles away. It will be a couple of weeks before I get back down to the boat .
Sorry Jerry I can not think of the name of the company I got the tank from and the receipt is on the boat located 300 miles away. It will be a couple of weeks before I get back down to the boat .
Some thoughts
1. Crazing of plexiglass comes with age. It is the result of age and cannot be rubbed out as it is actually internal cracking. Replacing is not too expensive but the glued in ones take some time and skill. 2. Aluminum water tanks have to go in my opinion. Not ever as easy or as cheap as it might seem. Mine took three days for the holding tank and a week to make the new fresh water tank. Mine had hose routing which left sewage standing in a long length of flex hose causing back flow and stink. Yours may be easier as it is a different boat. 3. I do not know about this installation. I would have the surveyor give it a good hard look and get an estimate for a cover. 4. As to a diesel spill, I would just have them guarantee it in writing and see how it smells then. Make sure it is to your satisfaction before you buy. It is difficult to get rid of that smell completely. 5. Look for rot in bulkheads, shelf supports and wooden cleats (as in the woodworking term - not mooring cleats). Check if there are soft spots in the hull, deck or rudder particularly. Try everything to make sure it works ok. A good surveyor will know these things.
1. Crazing of plexiglass comes with age. It is the result of age and cannot be rubbed out as it is actually internal cracking. Replacing is not too expensive but the glued in ones take some time and skill. 2. Aluminum water tanks have to go in my opinion. Not ever as easy or as cheap as it might seem. Mine took three days for the holding tank and a week to make the new fresh water tank. Mine had hose routing which left sewage standing in a long length of flex hose causing back flow and stink. Yours may be easier as it is a different boat. 3. I do not know about this installation. I would have the surveyor give it a good hard look and get an estimate for a cover. 4. As to a diesel spill, I would just have them guarantee it in writing and see how it smells then. Make sure it is to your satisfaction before you buy. It is difficult to get rid of that smell completely. 5. Look for rot in bulkheads, shelf supports and wooden cleats (as in the woodworking term - not mooring cleats). Check if there are soft spots in the hull, deck or rudder particularly. Try everything to make sure it works ok. A good surveyor will know these things.
Good information
Sorry not to respond sooner. For some reason when I try to access this site I get a 404 error indicating that the domain from which I am coming is being blocked, not sure why. In any case thanks for the information. I've got surveyor lined up and have negotiated a price on the boat pending a sea trial and survey. If everything goes through, the first thing that I'll do is tackle the holding tank. Denny, if you run across the tank information when you get to your boat I would appreciate it if you could post it. Thanks, Jerry
Sorry not to respond sooner. For some reason when I try to access this site I get a 404 error indicating that the domain from which I am coming is being blocked, not sure why. In any case thanks for the information. I've got surveyor lined up and have negotiated a price on the boat pending a sea trial and survey. If everything goes through, the first thing that I'll do is tackle the holding tank. Denny, if you run across the tank information when you get to your boat I would appreciate it if you could post it. Thanks, Jerry
Holding Tank
Denny I also recently purchased a 1989 Vision 32. The previous owner alway flushed with fresh water from the tap and so far so good , touch woood .Please tell me how you accesed the tank , did you cut the fiberglass in the shower ?
Denny I also recently purchased a 1989 Vision 32. The previous owner alway flushed with fresh water from the tap and so far so good , touch woood .Please tell me how you accesed the tank , did you cut the fiberglass in the shower ?
Refrigeration?
Just bought a Vision 32' and I'm wondering if I can run the refrigerator when the engine is off?
Just bought a Vision 32' and I'm wondering if I can run the refrigerator when the engine is off?
Jerry
presuming the compressor runs on 12 VDC, yes. At 5 amp/hr, the issue then becomes whether your battery(ies) have sufficient capacity.
presuming the compressor runs on 12 VDC, yes. At 5 amp/hr, the issue then becomes whether your battery(ies) have sufficient capacity.
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