I'm thinking of buying a 1986 25.5. The boat is in good to very good condition and has the Yanmar diesel, 2 sails, wheel steering, marine head, alcohol stove, a vhf radio, all CG equip, a nice dinghy and was painted 5 months ago. The owner is asking $7500. I plan to take it for a test sail before finalizing the deal. The only noticeable things that may or may not be important are: 1. The floor leading up to the forward berth is a bit soft in a section that is about 1 sq. ft. Looks like it may have been exposed to water at some point and needs to be reinforced. Cosmetically, it looks fine. 2. The area under the floor with the bilge has a small amount of water that the owner says is always there. With a small amount, apparently the bilge pums the water out but it drains back. This seems to be a boat that requires very little work at this point, but any input would be much appreciated!
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Cliff Ruckstuhl
Go for it
Todd, I have a 84 25.5, it's a real good boat. If the wood is soft thats an easy fix if it's the hull than that is somthing else. It could turn into a $$$ nightmare. The 25.5 is the best boat inthe 25 class, we sail ours and race on Lake Erie from mid April till Mid Oct.. Other than wishing I had an inboard its a great boat. There a little tender at the dock but really stiffin up when under sail. I have not found a better boat in the 27 and under size. You will not go wrong with the 25.5. Cliff
Todd, I have a 84 25.5, it's a real good boat. If the wood is soft thats an easy fix if it's the hull than that is somthing else. It could turn into a $$$ nightmare. The 25.5 is the best boat inthe 25 class, we sail ours and race on Lake Erie from mid April till Mid Oct.. Other than wishing I had an inboard its a great boat. There a little tender at the dock but really stiffin up when under sail. I have not found a better boat in the 27 and under size. You will not go wrong with the 25.5. Cliff
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Dick Vance
SuperBoat
Todd, The 25.5 is the best all-round 25 footer out there! Mine is an '85, outboard model, which I sail on an inland lake. I wouldn't trade mine for anything else for the sailing I do. I would recommend a survey before buying, particularly because of the diesel. That is THE most expensive component of the boat and replacement or repair of engine or transmission can be $$$$!! The forward section of cabin sole just lifts up so that you can easily inspect for damage. Some water in the bilge can be expected as the stuffing box for the shaft will allow some seepage into the bilge. A lot of water could indicate a more serious problem. You also need a survey to check for hull blisters. Almost all 80's fiberglas boats had some blistering due to the fiberglas resins in use at the time. Another item is the iron keel. This was covered by gelcoat and any water penetration would cause oxidation of the iron and consequent separation of the gelcoat. I took care of mine by sanding off all the offending gelcoat and fairing the keel with West System epoxy filler, covered by VC-Tar. No more problems! Any 13 year old boat can be expected to have had some mechanical modifications and/or hull/keel work. Again, that's where the surveyor helps. Where do you intend to sail? Has the boat been in saltwater or fresh? You might also check out the other owner reviews under "The Boats" section of HOW. Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Todd, The 25.5 is the best all-round 25 footer out there! Mine is an '85, outboard model, which I sail on an inland lake. I wouldn't trade mine for anything else for the sailing I do. I would recommend a survey before buying, particularly because of the diesel. That is THE most expensive component of the boat and replacement or repair of engine or transmission can be $$$$!! The forward section of cabin sole just lifts up so that you can easily inspect for damage. Some water in the bilge can be expected as the stuffing box for the shaft will allow some seepage into the bilge. A lot of water could indicate a more serious problem. You also need a survey to check for hull blisters. Almost all 80's fiberglas boats had some blistering due to the fiberglas resins in use at the time. Another item is the iron keel. This was covered by gelcoat and any water penetration would cause oxidation of the iron and consequent separation of the gelcoat. I took care of mine by sanding off all the offending gelcoat and fairing the keel with West System epoxy filler, covered by VC-Tar. No more problems! Any 13 year old boat can be expected to have had some mechanical modifications and/or hull/keel work. Again, that's where the surveyor helps. Where do you intend to sail? Has the boat been in saltwater or fresh? You might also check out the other owner reviews under "The Boats" section of HOW. Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
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Bobby Pratt
Haul it out.
I agee with Dick and Cliff about the h25.5 being a terrific boat. Dick, guided me through the purchase of the same boat a year ago. (Thanks again, Dick. Since the boat has an inboard, you definately need to haul it out. Not only to check for the blisters, but to check out your drive line. The cutless bearing could need replaced or the strut itself might not be stable. Water always being in the bilge is certainly common with an in-board as the packing gland has to drip to stay lubricated. Are you new to sailing?
I agee with Dick and Cliff about the h25.5 being a terrific boat. Dick, guided me through the purchase of the same boat a year ago. (Thanks again, Dick. Since the boat has an inboard, you definately need to haul it out. Not only to check for the blisters, but to check out your drive line. The cutless bearing could need replaced or the strut itself might not be stable. Water always being in the bilge is certainly common with an in-board as the packing gland has to drip to stay lubricated. Are you new to sailing?
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Michael White
Keel question about Hunter 25.5
Another quick question for Cliff and/or Dick (or anyone else). I'm in the process of buying a 1984 25.5. Great condition with OB. I see on the spec page there are two drafts (3'3" and 4'6"). The broker sheet on mine says 4'3", so unsure which it really is. Will find out later this week at haul out. My question is, what are the two keel designs (I assume one is a fin keel), and is there any deficiency or problem with the shallow keel? Thanks.
Another quick question for Cliff and/or Dick (or anyone else). I'm in the process of buying a 1984 25.5. Great condition with OB. I see on the spec page there are two drafts (3'3" and 4'6"). The broker sheet on mine says 4'3", so unsure which it really is. Will find out later this week at haul out. My question is, what are the two keel designs (I assume one is a fin keel), and is there any deficiency or problem with the shallow keel? Thanks.
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Cliff Ruckstuhl
There Both a fin keel
Michael, Dick has the deeper keel and I have the shallow draft keel. There both cast iron mine is a longer from front to back I think its 28" from top to bottom and 4 or 5 ft. long. On the deeper draft it gets more V shaped. I think the deeper will point better but you can get the shallow draft on and off a trailor. Dick and I are trying to get a one design class get togather/race but we are not having much luck.
Michael, Dick has the deeper keel and I have the shallow draft keel. There both cast iron mine is a longer from front to back I think its 28" from top to bottom and 4 or 5 ft. long. On the deeper draft it gets more V shaped. I think the deeper will point better but you can get the shallow draft on and off a trailor. Dick and I are trying to get a one design class get togather/race but we are not having much luck.
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Michael White
Thanks to Cliff
At the risk of turning this into a bulletin board, thanks to Cliff on the keel clarification, and the rest for the good info on 25.5's. The soon-to-be-my Hunter 25.5 was hauled out, pressured cleaned, and inspected today. Passed the survey with only the expected gelcoat blisters. It has the deeper fin keel. Should be sailing on Galveston Bay by Saturday.
At the risk of turning this into a bulletin board, thanks to Cliff on the keel clarification, and the rest for the good info on 25.5's. The soon-to-be-my Hunter 25.5 was hauled out, pressured cleaned, and inspected today. Passed the survey with only the expected gelcoat blisters. It has the deeper fin keel. Should be sailing on Galveston Bay by Saturday.
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John Preston
Light Glass
Check the stern where the rudder hangs for stress cracks , if it has not been reinforced it could give you problems.(check my owners review)
Check the stern where the rudder hangs for stress cracks , if it has not been reinforced it could give you problems.(check my owners review)
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