Hello everyone, An amazing opportunity has presented itself, and even though I haven't seen the boat yet, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to pass it up: There is a H25.5 available in my area, with a 9.9 4-stroke and an 8 ft Zodiac (with 3.5 motor), and a 'secure' mooring available for less than I paid for my H23. Like I said, I'm not sure I can pass this up. ;o) My question is, what kinds of problems (major or minor) have 25.5 owners had with the boat? I've looked through the archives, but didn't find too much about this boat- I attribute that to the boat only being in production for 4 years. Were there any major defects, or common 'trouble' spots to watch out for (Compression post rot, keel seperation, leaky fittings, etc)? Are there any common upgrades or modifications that owners have made to make the boat more comfortable, or easier to sail (Moved traveller, added genoa tracks, etc)? And, perhaps the most broad question of all, How do you like your 25.5? Thanks for any and all info- I'll let you know more about the boat when I get to see her. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' (But maybe moving up soon...)
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Reviews
Hi Jon, First place to check would be the owner reviews under the 'Boats' tab on the home page. And, as you know, there are number of committed 25.5 fans on the site so help, should be on the way soon. Good luck with your 'opportunity'!
Hi Jon, First place to check would be the owner reviews under the 'Boats' tab on the home page. And, as you know, there are number of committed 25.5 fans on the site so help, should be on the way soon. Good luck with your 'opportunity'!
cabin sole
Hi Jon, I just bought my 25.5 4 weeks or so ago and I really like the boat a lot. I found that for a boat it's size you're going to have a hard time finding something roomier. Problem areas... well for me the previous owner did not recaulk the chain plates so water leaked in and rotted the main cabin sole in the area that buts up against the doorway to the v-berth. I think I will have to eventually replace the sole. Another problem I have with the sole is that on the aft part of the sole there is a wooden panel that the ladder rests on. The panel is supported by a wooden strut that attaches to the sole via nut and bolt. The location that the strut attaches to the sole is unsupported and free hanging. On my boat the plies in the sole had separated in that area and was really close to breaking. I epoxied the plies together and placed a 4x4 block underneath for support. You might want to check that area out. I have also read many complaints about the cockpit scuppers not draining the cockpit properly because they are not low enough, but this has not been a problem for me. That’s all I can think of for now... Good luck.
Hi Jon, I just bought my 25.5 4 weeks or so ago and I really like the boat a lot. I found that for a boat it's size you're going to have a hard time finding something roomier. Problem areas... well for me the previous owner did not recaulk the chain plates so water leaked in and rotted the main cabin sole in the area that buts up against the doorway to the v-berth. I think I will have to eventually replace the sole. Another problem I have with the sole is that on the aft part of the sole there is a wooden panel that the ladder rests on. The panel is supported by a wooden strut that attaches to the sole via nut and bolt. The location that the strut attaches to the sole is unsupported and free hanging. On my boat the plies in the sole had separated in that area and was really close to breaking. I epoxied the plies together and placed a 4x4 block underneath for support. You might want to check that area out. I have also read many complaints about the cockpit scuppers not draining the cockpit properly because they are not low enough, but this has not been a problem for me. That’s all I can think of for now... Good luck.
3 Sheets To The Wind?
Jon, The 25.5 is one of the best all round production 25 footers ever made, period! Of course, they are aging and you must look for any of the problems associated with older boats. Much will depend on the care given by previous owner(s). I've had mine over 8 years and haven't found another boat in its class I'd trade for, new or used. Please read my review in The Boats section of HOW. Take a close look at the keel. 25.5's had two keels, shoal and deep(4'6"), with the deep keel being the better performer. Shoal could be an advantage in the shallow waters of the Keys but 4'6" isn't bad either. Either way, the keels are iron with a gelcoat covering. Many of the boats have suffered delamination of the gelcoat due to corrosion from water penetration. This is particularly important in salt water. I had this problem but sanded off the gelcoat and coated it with VC Tar before painting and have had no more trouble. The boat is initially a bit tender but settles into a groove with a bit of heel. Reef early and keep her on her feet. I like the traveler location as the helmsman can steer with one hand and play the gusts with the traveler with the other. I do recommend getting a line adjustable traveler if this upgrade hasn't been done already. The dinette table leg may need a bit of help. It doesn't have a positive locking mechanism and could fold up in a seaway. The scuppers at the stern are too small and larger ones need to be installed. The pop top can develop leaks at the front of the groove tracks for the companionway hatch. The factory simply put rubber bumpers for the sliding top attached by a screw which penetrates into the hollow pop top. Caulking the holes and epoxying bumpers takes care of this. I'm not aware of any significant design flaws that affect the sailing abilities of the boat. Again, its got some age so attention needs to be given to all fittings and rigging as with any boat. Tell us more about her when you get to do an inspection. Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Jon, The 25.5 is one of the best all round production 25 footers ever made, period! Of course, they are aging and you must look for any of the problems associated with older boats. Much will depend on the care given by previous owner(s). I've had mine over 8 years and haven't found another boat in its class I'd trade for, new or used. Please read my review in The Boats section of HOW. Take a close look at the keel. 25.5's had two keels, shoal and deep(4'6"), with the deep keel being the better performer. Shoal could be an advantage in the shallow waters of the Keys but 4'6" isn't bad either. Either way, the keels are iron with a gelcoat covering. Many of the boats have suffered delamination of the gelcoat due to corrosion from water penetration. This is particularly important in salt water. I had this problem but sanded off the gelcoat and coated it with VC Tar before painting and have had no more trouble. The boat is initially a bit tender but settles into a groove with a bit of heel. Reef early and keep her on her feet. I like the traveler location as the helmsman can steer with one hand and play the gusts with the traveler with the other. I do recommend getting a line adjustable traveler if this upgrade hasn't been done already. The dinette table leg may need a bit of help. It doesn't have a positive locking mechanism and could fold up in a seaway. The scuppers at the stern are too small and larger ones need to be installed. The pop top can develop leaks at the front of the groove tracks for the companionway hatch. The factory simply put rubber bumpers for the sliding top attached by a screw which penetrates into the hollow pop top. Caulking the holes and epoxying bumpers takes care of this. I'm not aware of any significant design flaws that affect the sailing abilities of the boat. Again, its got some age so attention needs to be given to all fittings and rigging as with any boat. Tell us more about her when you get to do an inspection. Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Chainplates
There is 25.5 down the dock from me and I noticed that there is significant cracking around the chain plates where water penetration would be significant. The owner's repairs were not very well thought out but it looks like an easy fix. Seems like a nice boat with great cockpit space and an airy interior.
There is 25.5 down the dock from me and I noticed that there is significant cracking around the chain plates where water penetration would be significant. The owner's repairs were not very well thought out but it looks like an easy fix. Seems like a nice boat with great cockpit space and an airy interior.
Im with Dick Vance
This my 3rd season with my 25.5 and have not found a boat that has more room under 28 ft. I was thinking of moving up to a 28.5 but for the money difference it was allot of money for 3 feet and not much more space. I love my 25.5 shoal draft and will not trade till go to the big time 35+. You will find some small problems. I have not found anything that would make me not buy the boat again. They will out sail any other boat in its class and then some bigger. I and Dick V. have raced ours and we seem to do pretty good. This era of boats in my opnion were the best boats that Hunter made. To bad they are making dock boats and power boats now. Cliff
This my 3rd season with my 25.5 and have not found a boat that has more room under 28 ft. I was thinking of moving up to a 28.5 but for the money difference it was allot of money for 3 feet and not much more space. I love my 25.5 shoal draft and will not trade till go to the big time 35+. You will find some small problems. I have not found anything that would make me not buy the boat again. They will out sail any other boat in its class and then some bigger. I and Dick V. have raced ours and we seem to do pretty good. This era of boats in my opnion were the best boats that Hunter made. To bad they are making dock boats and power boats now. Cliff
Generally a good compromise
Jon: The 25.5 is a reasonably quick, roomy, yet "small" boat. It has very simple systems (No stern tubes, minimum thru hulls, manageable rig, few deck penetrations, and, if outboard, no inboard motor problems), good storage, and is has a good size cockpit. It is a lot of fun for the money. The shortcomings have been pretty well described by Dick Vance. Cockpit scuppers are just plain wrong, especially in the Pacific Northwest where we get some rain. There is not a single comfortable "double berth" for two on the boat (although a woodworker just created a very nice athwartship double on mine (by removing the dinette) which is five feet wide and spans the whole beam of the boat). The boat is somewhat tender, and my mainsail needs reefing at 14-15 knots. The iron keel needs vigilance and yearly attention unless you are willing to grind it down to white metal and put an epoxy barrier coat on it. The bow and stern cleats are small for any good sized ground tackle, and the location of the anchor well makes it difficult to install a bow roller for a plow-type anchor. But for a 25 foot boat, it is a very good compromise between comfort and performance. As Cliff said, until you are ready for all the maintenance things and expense which come with a 32+ footer, it is hard to beat the 25.5. Good luck and keep us posted. Scott
Jon: The 25.5 is a reasonably quick, roomy, yet "small" boat. It has very simple systems (No stern tubes, minimum thru hulls, manageable rig, few deck penetrations, and, if outboard, no inboard motor problems), good storage, and is has a good size cockpit. It is a lot of fun for the money. The shortcomings have been pretty well described by Dick Vance. Cockpit scuppers are just plain wrong, especially in the Pacific Northwest where we get some rain. There is not a single comfortable "double berth" for two on the boat (although a woodworker just created a very nice athwartship double on mine (by removing the dinette) which is five feet wide and spans the whole beam of the boat). The boat is somewhat tender, and my mainsail needs reefing at 14-15 knots. The iron keel needs vigilance and yearly attention unless you are willing to grind it down to white metal and put an epoxy barrier coat on it. The bow and stern cleats are small for any good sized ground tackle, and the location of the anchor well makes it difficult to install a bow roller for a plow-type anchor. But for a 25 foot boat, it is a very good compromise between comfort and performance. As Cliff said, until you are ready for all the maintenance things and expense which come with a 32+ footer, it is hard to beat the 25.5. Good luck and keep us posted. Scott
Looking at boat Sunday AM
Well, The First Mate is about ready to strap me to a chair and cover my mouth with duct tape, I'm so excited about seeing this boat. I think she'll be relieved when we go out there to see it- She won't have to listen to me speculate anymore! --- I have found a few other people in the area who are familiar with the boat (I still have not seen it)- It gets good reviews from them, though they admit they haven't been aboard for a while (Current owner doesn't get to sail much these days). Claims to be selling because new job doesn't allow for time to maintain it, and he hates to see a good boat sit... I will know by tomorrow afternoon whether or not I'm a new boat owner! I'll start a new thread if I buy. Wish me luck... --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Well, The First Mate is about ready to strap me to a chair and cover my mouth with duct tape, I'm so excited about seeing this boat. I think she'll be relieved when we go out there to see it- She won't have to listen to me speculate anymore! --- I have found a few other people in the area who are familiar with the boat (I still have not seen it)- It gets good reviews from them, though they admit they haven't been aboard for a while (Current owner doesn't get to sail much these days). Claims to be selling because new job doesn't allow for time to maintain it, and he hates to see a good boat sit... I will know by tomorrow afternoon whether or not I'm a new boat owner! I'll start a new thread if I buy. Wish me luck... --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Not a 25.5!
Well, as it turns out, it wasn't a 25.5 after all! I ended up test-sailing (and buying) a 1978 H25 today. There's a new post in the small boats forum. Anyone wanna buy a used H23? --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' AND H25 'Adagio'
Well, as it turns out, it wasn't a 25.5 after all! I ended up test-sailing (and buying) a 1978 H25 today. There's a new post in the small boats forum. Anyone wanna buy a used H23? --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' AND H25 'Adagio'
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