Modifications to Our Hunter 410

[snows]

I was a little disappointed by the lack of documented 410 modifications on this website, so I promised myself that I would populate the modifications area with projects on our 1998 model. Well guess what? Posting takes a lot of time and effort. So, I've decided to just refer interested parties to the modifications portion of our blog at http://svctime.blogspot.com/p/port.html. So far I've discussed the following modifications on the blog:

Diesel Generator
Inverter
Radar
Dinghy Davits
Solar Panel
Wind Turbine Generator
Single Sideband Radio
Hatch Doors
Additional Storage
Rudder Replacement
Washer/Dryer
Watermaker
WiFi Antenna
TV Antenna
Fuel Can Holders
King Centerline Berth

I'm not looking to gain attention to the blog, just wanted to share some of the things we've done to our boat. Hopefully someone will benefit from our experiences and mistakes.

Daniel
s/v C-Time

 

[Sailgunner]

Thanks for sharing. I have made a lot of mods myself but have not takienthe time to document them as you have.

 

[eianm]

AGREED- if it was easier to post we would end up with a much bigger and more valuable knowledge base_ come on HOF- cant we simplify this process, please??

 

[Don Lucas]

DIY Watermaker

. So far I've discussed the following modifications on the blog:

Watermaker

I wouold be interested in an update, either here or on your blog, about how your DIY Watermaker has been.

 

[DAVID BLOCH]

Another 1998 410 owner! Trying to think of things we've done in the 20 months we've owned BUOYANT...
1) Converted the aft Jabsco head to electric. That's worked really well, EXCEPT that it really smells foul when flushed. I don't know where it's coming from (it's really in the head room, not from the tank) but your blog post is giving me some incentive to go "down under." We've got some Kanberra gel too, and are very satisfied uses of Blue Eagle holding tank liquid.
2) Temporarily converted the forward cabin to an office. This is while we're living aboard; when we sail away it'll go back to being a cabin. I've got a photo of it on our Website at http://buoyantliving.com .
3) You've got really nice cabin doors! But we bought ours from Zarcor.
4) Replaced the mattress. After looking at the companies that go to boat shows, we instead went to FoamOrder.com (where we had previously bought a custom captain's cushion). These folks are local to us in San Francisco, but will vacuum-seal and ship anywhere. Couldn't be happier with the work, and saved us at least $800 over any of the marine specialty folks.
5) Happy to see your recommendation of the Mantus anchor. I saw these at the Strictly Sail show in Oakand this spring and was impressed; your review will clinch that.
6) Previous owner put two VHF radios in this boat. Each has its OWN ANTENNA, one top of the mast and a tall fiberglass one on the transom. Every ocean sailor we've met has praised this idea; top 'o the mast for better coverage; back o' the boat for when you've lost your mast.
7) Raymarine e7d multiuse display. This was a plugin replacement for the old C70 on the boat when we got it. So far we're really happy with it.
8) Dutchman Boom brake. Only used once so far; I'm being very careful in figuring out just how to adjust that thing. 25-kt winds are just an average summer afternoon sailing on San Francisco Bay, so this thing will get a lot of use.
9) Up-N-Out boarding ladder. Still have to install this thing, but it looks like just the thing, both for emergency and just boarding the boat.
10)

COMING UP BEFORE WE CRUISE:
Watermaker or not? We'll be coastal not cross-ocean, so are weighing this one.
We've got a Webasto diesel furnace, but are headed for warm climates. Should we rip that thing out?
SSB
Solar panels
Escape liferaft
Dinghy on davits
Dual diesel water filters with quick changeover (highly recommded by our engine guy)
...and not sure what else.

More to come. Thanks for this post!

 

[artboas]

Stern VHF antenna

Another 1998 410 owner! Trying to think of things we've done in the 20 months we've owned BUOYANT...
1) Converted the aft Jabsco head to electric. That's worked really well, EXCEPT that it really smells foul when flushed. I don't know where it's coming from (it's really in the head room, not from the tank) but your blog post is giving me some incentive to go "down under." We've got some Kanberra gel too, and are very satisfied uses of Blue Eagle holding tank liquid.
2) Temporarily converted the forward cabin to an office. This is while we're living aboard; when we sail away it'll go back to being a cabin. I've got a photo of it on our Website at http://buoyantliving.com .
3) You've got really nice cabin doors! But we bought ours from Zarcor.
4) Replaced the mattress. After looking at the companies that go to boat shows, we instead went to FoamOrder.com (where we had previously bought a custom captain's cushion). These folks are local to us in San Francisco, but will vacuum-seal and ship anywhere. Couldn't be happier with the work, and saved us at least $800 over any of the marine specialty folks.
5) Happy to see your recommendation of the Mantus anchor. I saw these at the Strictly Sail show in Oakand this spring and was impressed; your review will clinch that.
6) Previous owner put two VHF radios in this boat. Each has its OWN ANTENNA, one top of the mast and a tall fiberglass one on the transom. Every ocean sailor we've met has praised this idea; top 'o the mast for better coverage; back o' the boat for when you've lost your mast.
7) Raymarine e7d multiuse display. This was a plugin replacement for the old C70 on the boat when we got it. So far we're really happy with it.
8) Dutchman Boom brake. Only used once so far; I'm being very careful in figuring out just how to adjust that thing. 25-kt winds are just an average summer afternoon sailing on San Francisco Bay, so this thing will get a lot of use.
9) Up-N-Out boarding ladder. Still have to install this thing, but it looks like just the thing, both for emergency and just boarding the boat.
10)

COMING UP BEFORE WE CRUISE:
Watermaker or not? We'll be coastal not cross-ocean, so are weighing this one.
We've got a Webasto diesel furnace, but are headed for warm climates. Should we rip that thing out?
SSB
Solar panels
Escape liferaft
Dinghy on davits
Dual diesel water filters with quick changeover (highly recommded by our engine guy)
...and not sure what else.

More to come. Thanks for this post!

This is not the way I would recommend.
If your rig comes down, there is a pretty good chance something is going to wipe out a very fragile Fiberglas antenna sitting on the stern.
The way to do this is :

Underneath the antenna in the transom compartment, cut the cable, and splice in PL -259 connectors. Then stash a spare antenna aboard with a length of cable & pl-259 connector . If need be, plug in this antenna, and lash it to a boat hook.
Now you have a system that you can count on if the rig tumbles

 

[Mariner356]

David,
I've owned a '98 Hunter 410 and now own a 2000 Hunter 410. Additional items I'd like to suggest, Concerning the Boom Brake....I simply went to a rock climbing shop, ie. REI and purchased a figure 8 descender device for about $10-$15. Much cheaper than those sold strictly for marine use. I secure a line on the port mid cleat run it up to where the descender is located where the boom vang connects to the boom, pass it through the device and back down to a block tied to the starboard cleat. The line passes through the block back through a winch and I can adjust the tension from the helm and it's quite easy and quick to set up.

I also purchased an Anchor sail from Banner Bay Marine in New Jersey. It has significantly reduced sailing while on anchor. Reduced the frequency and distance moved.

I've also replaced my #35 Delta plow with a Spade anchor and all chain.

I use Canndure in my heads to remove odor. According to the women on board....IT IS THE ANSWER TO HEAD ODOR. It's manufactured in Calgary Alberta and available online. It's more expensive however it works and that's the goal. You can purchase it at many Canadian marinas at about the same price as the online price after shipping and taxes.

If mildew is a problem, I found that using calcium chloride in Damprid containers. I about a dozen containers throughout the boat and purchase the calcium chloride at local feed and grain stores. It sells in northern Michigan for about $12 per 50 Pounds. For long periods of non boat use, I place plastic collanders in each sink and fill them for greater surface area. With the drains open the water collects and drops through the drain. It can really keep the humidity under control.

The first generation of 410's, 1998's had carbon fiber rudder posts. They were later replaced with stainless posts. Hopefully you have a stainless post.

Good luck with your 410. I took mine from the Great Lakes the fall of '07 to Florida and back up to Deltaville Virginia. It was totaled by a marina fire 1 June, 2008 by a neighboring boat taking 2 other boats in addition to mine. All on the hard. I waited two years and replaced it with another 410 built in 2000.

Good luck,
Roger Liebner
S/V Sailstarr

 

[jsmac]

Hi Snows, great list and great work! What I want to know right now is what paneling/wood stain, color, etc. did you use in your nav station to match to the existing paneling and color when you made your cover? I have an old chortplotter that is broekn and want to remove it and cover the large hole but haven't been able to find a matching, or closely matching, panel color.

Thanks

 

[snows]

what paneling/wood stain, color, etc. did you use in your nav station to match to the existing paneling and color when you made your cover?

As I mentioned in the blog (http://svctime.blogspot.com/p/port.html), I was able to re-use paneling from the seat that I removed from the aft stateroom. I framed the new panel with material that was from the mirror that I removed to make room for the TV. If you remove finished paneling or solid wood, don't throw it away. There's a good chance you'll have an opportunity to use it on another project.

As a side note, when I built the new cabinets I used teak veneer plywood and a dark stain with some red in it. I later realized that cabinets throughout the boat vary drastically in their colors. Some have a red tint, others have virtually no red tint. That makes it difficult to match all the wood in the boat.