I am looking to buy a 30+ sailboat to moor in Anacortes WA. I hope to spend my summers there and touring the San Juan Islands and also Vancouver Island.. I have been looking at a 31 Hunter Sloop , 1985. and would like to find out from owners if this would be a good boat for my requirements. I have been sailing out of San Diego and do not have too much experience, although have had several courses and feel comfortable with my navigation skills, since I have owned boats for several years, although they were power boats. Would appreciate any help!!!
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31
Decent boat if you get it cheap enough. Next generation after the Cherubini so more lightly built.
Decent boat if you get it cheap enough. Next generation after the Cherubini so more lightly built.
More lightly built?
David: What does this mean to a future purchaser? Actually each future generation of Hunters has been better built. Even within the run of the first generation Hunters (Cherubinis) the boats got better. First of all there were no differences in the laminates on a Cheribini hull verses the boats built today. The same person that determined the fiberglass used to build a hull in the 70's and 80's is still the same person who does so today. The only thing that Mr. Cheribini did was to design the boat. He had nothing at all to do with production, determining the fiberglass thickness and where it required more or less or the quaility in which the boat was built to. Mr. Cheribini designed a wonderful boat but as you have already said, he was just the designer. There appears to be a myth out there that the Cheribini hulls were built thicker or stronger but nothing is farther from the truth. They were doing exactly the same techniques as they did in 1980, laying in the same amount of materials with overlaps in the same locations, etc. The only differences today are that they use different materials such as ISO-NPG Gelcoats and Vinyl Ester blended resins and better stitched fiberglass. Beyond this point, the rigging on later boats were up to date. They where much stronger. The design of the toe rails were improved to minimize leaks. The cabinets had better materials, fit & finish. Many of the improvements that have been made to these boats where made by the owners (holding tanks, engine upgrades, plumbing, lighting etc.). As I have said before, If I could have my interior and rigging in a Cherubini designed hull I'd be a VERY happy owner. Happy none the less.
David: What does this mean to a future purchaser? Actually each future generation of Hunters has been better built. Even within the run of the first generation Hunters (Cherubinis) the boats got better. First of all there were no differences in the laminates on a Cheribini hull verses the boats built today. The same person that determined the fiberglass used to build a hull in the 70's and 80's is still the same person who does so today. The only thing that Mr. Cheribini did was to design the boat. He had nothing at all to do with production, determining the fiberglass thickness and where it required more or less or the quaility in which the boat was built to. Mr. Cheribini designed a wonderful boat but as you have already said, he was just the designer. There appears to be a myth out there that the Cheribini hulls were built thicker or stronger but nothing is farther from the truth. They were doing exactly the same techniques as they did in 1980, laying in the same amount of materials with overlaps in the same locations, etc. The only differences today are that they use different materials such as ISO-NPG Gelcoats and Vinyl Ester blended resins and better stitched fiberglass. Beyond this point, the rigging on later boats were up to date. They where much stronger. The design of the toe rails were improved to minimize leaks. The cabinets had better materials, fit & finish. Many of the improvements that have been made to these boats where made by the owners (holding tanks, engine upgrades, plumbing, lighting etc.). As I have said before, If I could have my interior and rigging in a Cherubini designed hull I'd be a VERY happy owner. Happy none the less.
Great boat
I purchased my h31 4 years ago and have loved every minute. Check the archives regarding potential problems (compression post etc.). I find the boat very easy to handle single handed and there is more than enough room below for week long trips. Fair Winds Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
I purchased my h31 4 years ago and have loved every minute. Check the archives regarding potential problems (compression post etc.). I find the boat very easy to handle single handed and there is more than enough room below for week long trips. Fair Winds Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
Displacement
Yes Steve the 31's were not built with as heavy a layup as the earlier 30's in the keel stub surrounding area as well the forefoot. You will notice that for the greater loa and beam of the 31 the ballast and displacement remains the same. Chuck is right about checking the archives and as I mentioned before the 31 is a decent boat at the right price.
Yes Steve the 31's were not built with as heavy a layup as the earlier 30's in the keel stub surrounding area as well the forefoot. You will notice that for the greater loa and beam of the 31 the ballast and displacement remains the same. Chuck is right about checking the archives and as I mentioned before the 31 is a decent boat at the right price.
H31
Martin; Check the model information and click on owner reviews of the H31. I have owed my 1984 since new and cruise the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound all the time and have cruised to the top of Vancouver Island and back. I have sailed in a gale, 38 knots at Point Atkinson gusting to 48 knots, and winds of 25-35 knots and have had no problems other than excess adrenaline pulsing through my veins. My wife and I also lived aboard for 4 years and loved it. The boat is roomy, easy to sail with 1 or 2 people and very forgiving. It's a great boat for the money and, knock on wood, I have not had any compression post problems. Mac
Martin; Check the model information and click on owner reviews of the H31. I have owed my 1984 since new and cruise the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound all the time and have cruised to the top of Vancouver Island and back. I have sailed in a gale, 38 knots at Point Atkinson gusting to 48 knots, and winds of 25-35 knots and have had no problems other than excess adrenaline pulsing through my veins. My wife and I also lived aboard for 4 years and loved it. The boat is roomy, easy to sail with 1 or 2 people and very forgiving. It's a great boat for the money and, knock on wood, I have not had any compression post problems. Mac
Great design
I really feel the layout inside the 31 is fantastic. I would love to be able to get one new. Plenty of furniture around you for support in a rough sea. Excellent design!
I really feel the layout inside the 31 is fantastic. I would love to be able to get one new. Plenty of furniture around you for support in a rough sea. Excellent design!
H31 Highly Recommended
Hi Martin, Endless Summer is a 1983 H31. We were looking at Catalina 30's, but they were all more expensive. It was love at first sight when we looked into Endless Summer's cabin. Storage everwhere! That was 1993. We are living aboard now. We left Virginia in Oct 1996 and came down the ICW to Florida and then to the Bahamas a couple of times, and back. Endless Summer has kept us comfortable and safe for all this time, and we have often asked a lot of her. I would recommend that you try to find one that has the 20GMF (18 hp) diesel instead of the 2GMF (13hp). Our diesel moves us along fine, but the extra 5hp might be helpful if you are headed into waves, wind and or current. Good luck with your search. Roger and Susie Mummah www.cruisingendlesssummer.com
Hi Martin, Endless Summer is a 1983 H31. We were looking at Catalina 30's, but they were all more expensive. It was love at first sight when we looked into Endless Summer's cabin. Storage everwhere! That was 1993. We are living aboard now. We left Virginia in Oct 1996 and came down the ICW to Florida and then to the Bahamas a couple of times, and back. Endless Summer has kept us comfortable and safe for all this time, and we have often asked a lot of her. I would recommend that you try to find one that has the 20GMF (18 hp) diesel instead of the 2GMF (13hp). Our diesel moves us along fine, but the extra 5hp might be helpful if you are headed into waves, wind and or current. Good luck with your search. Roger and Susie Mummah www.cruisingendlesssummer.com
Another satisfied owner
Martin, I have an '85 H-31 that I've owned for 7 years. I have found it to be great boat. I do a lot of single handed sailing and the boat is easy to manage. I have taken her up and down the coast of CA in some pretty stiff conditions (35+). Properly trimmed, she sails well and is pretty forgiving. The rigging is solid, the boat well built, and the interior, while not up to the design of new boats, is still very accomodating. The only downside, as Roger mentioned, is the 13hp is a little underpowered. But it will still give you 5-6kn in most conditions. Best of luck with your decision. Richard S/V Discovery San Francisco
Martin, I have an '85 H-31 that I've owned for 7 years. I have found it to be great boat. I do a lot of single handed sailing and the boat is easy to manage. I have taken her up and down the coast of CA in some pretty stiff conditions (35+). Properly trimmed, she sails well and is pretty forgiving. The rigging is solid, the boat well built, and the interior, while not up to the design of new boats, is still very accomodating. The only downside, as Roger mentioned, is the 13hp is a little underpowered. But it will still give you 5-6kn in most conditions. Best of luck with your decision. Richard S/V Discovery San Francisco
Love our 1987 Hunter 31, Dulcinea II
Boating is like marriage and just as much of a committment. Don't buy a boat unless you are in love with it and absolutely cannot live without it. We just returned from a two week cruise in Ducinea II around Lake Michigan. We had a wonderful time and the boat performed very well for us. We watched the weather and did not venture out the two days it was bad. She sails to weather nicely and has plenty of room for a couple to live and entertain in port. We had plenty of water and waste storage and about three times the fuel we needed. We burn 1/2 gallon of diesel an hour making 6 knots at 3000 RPM. I can't speak about earlier boats but the 1987 is very sturdily built, passed survey with flying colors, has no compression post problems. I rebuild the water tank just because I didn't know what it looked like inside and was curious. I removed the plumbing for overboard discharge because we will never sail anywhere it could be used (and one of the fittings was leaking). I had to replace both batteries and I am going to replace the battery charger with a new Heart or Guest this winter. Make sure your surveyor tells you all the work you will have to perform immediately so you can add the cost to the asking price to know what you will really be paying. (Don't forget state tax, surveyor's fee, commissioning, insurance and cost of cradle if not included). Slip fees, winter storage, etc. Make sure the surveyor is working for you and not the broker. It's a mine field. But if you can get through it without divorce or homicide and you end up with a boat you love, then it's worth all the hassle.
Boating is like marriage and just as much of a committment. Don't buy a boat unless you are in love with it and absolutely cannot live without it. We just returned from a two week cruise in Ducinea II around Lake Michigan. We had a wonderful time and the boat performed very well for us. We watched the weather and did not venture out the two days it was bad. She sails to weather nicely and has plenty of room for a couple to live and entertain in port. We had plenty of water and waste storage and about three times the fuel we needed. We burn 1/2 gallon of diesel an hour making 6 knots at 3000 RPM. I can't speak about earlier boats but the 1987 is very sturdily built, passed survey with flying colors, has no compression post problems. I rebuild the water tank just because I didn't know what it looked like inside and was curious. I removed the plumbing for overboard discharge because we will never sail anywhere it could be used (and one of the fittings was leaking). I had to replace both batteries and I am going to replace the battery charger with a new Heart or Guest this winter. Make sure your surveyor tells you all the work you will have to perform immediately so you can add the cost to the asking price to know what you will really be paying. (Don't forget state tax, surveyor's fee, commissioning, insurance and cost of cradle if not included). Slip fees, winter storage, etc. Make sure the surveyor is working for you and not the broker. It's a mine field. But if you can get through it without divorce or homicide and you end up with a boat you love, then it's worth all the hassle.
17 Years and counting
We have put thousands of miles beneath our keel in the Great Lakes. (including a few chunks out of the rudder this summer) After 17 years of shorthanded sailing, we are still very happy with our decision. Of course, there's lots to improve on and lots to upgrade. But pound for pound, dollar for dollar, feature for feature, you can't do much better than the Hunter 31.
We have put thousands of miles beneath our keel in the Great Lakes. (including a few chunks out of the rudder this summer) After 17 years of shorthanded sailing, we are still very happy with our decision. Of course, there's lots to improve on and lots to upgrade. But pound for pound, dollar for dollar, feature for feature, you can't do much better than the Hunter 31.
Attachments
Micheal O - Question
Micheal O - where did you purchase your dodger & bemini it looks great on your H31? Wizard
Micheal O - where did you purchase your dodger & bemini it looks great on your H31? Wizard
Same Question for Michael O'
I sail my h31 out of Buffalo and I am interested in adding a dodger & bimini. Yours looks great. Any information on where you had it made would be appreciated. You can contact me at CFDickhut2@cs.com Fair Winds Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
I sail my h31 out of Buffalo and I am interested in adding a dodger & bimini. Yours looks great. Any information on where you had it made would be appreciated. You can contact me at CFDickhut2@cs.com Fair Winds Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
The Canvas Answer
The guy who did my dodger/bimini is an artist (at least I think so) by the name of Darrell Turner. He comes down to your boat in a panel truck with the sewing machine, cloth, and all the tools inside. He requests that the owner be there so that all the fittings and clearances for winch handles, etc, can be done custom each boat. Company works out of small town in Northeast Ohio- Rayco Canvas 330-472-7700 1060 Hartville Hartville,OH 44632 His home number is: 330-877 0985 I also requested a grab bar on the outside of the dodger. That piece is welded in place as the dodger is going on your boat. I HIGHLY recommend it, as it is the perfect place to grab something very solid and swing past the cockpit. You can guess that lots of sailors at my club have started using this man for their dodger/bimini requirements!
The guy who did my dodger/bimini is an artist (at least I think so) by the name of Darrell Turner. He comes down to your boat in a panel truck with the sewing machine, cloth, and all the tools inside. He requests that the owner be there so that all the fittings and clearances for winch handles, etc, can be done custom each boat. Company works out of small town in Northeast Ohio- Rayco Canvas 330-472-7700 1060 Hartville Hartville,OH 44632 His home number is: 330-877 0985 I also requested a grab bar on the outside of the dodger. That piece is welded in place as the dodger is going on your boat. I HIGHLY recommend it, as it is the perfect place to grab something very solid and swing past the cockpit. You can guess that lots of sailors at my club have started using this man for their dodger/bimini requirements!
Looking along with you
Martin, We are right along with you. At the tail end of closing a deal on the same boat! We have looked at so many boats but always came back to really being drawn to a Hunter. Love the entire setup and space. We are looking forward to our new adventures with this boat. We have had a C27 for 6 years or so and ready to take on more water. Looking forward to learning from those more experienced here as well as some of the great modifications I have seen!
Martin, We are right along with you. At the tail end of closing a deal on the same boat! We have looked at so many boats but always came back to really being drawn to a Hunter. Love the entire setup and space. We are looking forward to our new adventures with this boat. We have had a C27 for 6 years or so and ready to take on more water. Looking forward to learning from those more experienced here as well as some of the great modifications I have seen!
H31 leaks
Hi guys, I have a 1987 H31 that has a leak in the aft cabin. Water is getting in between the cockpit floor and the aft cabin ceiling. This is causing moisture problems to the bulkhead between the aft berth and the fuel tank. It usually dri0ps into the steering cable cover and the n runs over to the bulkhead and down to the berth. Any ideas? I have been looking for a while.
Hi guys, I have a 1987 H31 that has a leak in the aft cabin. Water is getting in between the cockpit floor and the aft cabin ceiling. This is causing moisture problems to the bulkhead between the aft berth and the fuel tank. It usually dri0ps into the steering cable cover and the n runs over to the bulkhead and down to the berth. Any ideas? I have been looking for a while.
Rebed your port cockpit drain.
Leif: There are not a lot of places to get water into the sole on the H'31. One of the big things that they did was raise the pedestal off the cockpit sole to prevent water from leaking in there. If you have a pedestal guard, your mounts on the cockpit sole may also need to be rebedded. The other place would be your cockpit drain. I would remove and replace the entire unit. It may be cracked or just need rebedding.
Leif: There are not a lot of places to get water into the sole on the H'31. One of the big things that they did was raise the pedestal off the cockpit sole to prevent water from leaking in there. If you have a pedestal guard, your mounts on the cockpit sole may also need to be rebedded. The other place would be your cockpit drain. I would remove and replace the entire unit. It may be cracked or just need rebedding.
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