I am purchasing my first big boat this next weekend and it is brand new (Hunter 320). I have opted not to have a survey done. I wanted to know from all you owners out there if you had it to do again, what things would you look for on a brand new Hunter that might not be quite right requiring a warranty visit? I was going to make up my own survey list prior to closing so I could do an intelligent "walk-through". Now all I need is some of your collective intelligence / wisdom on what to put on this list....
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Dakota Jim Russell
Ah, yes
Because of your address, I assume your dealer is close by, thus making the question less critical. Periodically make a list of problems and give it to him. Things that are good to check: engine alignment, check to see if fan belt pulley rubs against insulation, check for minor leaks like a strut bolt seeping, make sure mast is tuned and doesn't bend in a hard wind, make sure you know the operation of all systems, check marine radio for interference, check to make sure that the tube in the top of the cabin accepting the wires from the mast has been caulked from above to avoid leaks in this area, check reefing system to make sure it is working properly, check meters, gauges, etc. for accuracy (especially knot meter - check this against handheld gps), check to see if the compass has been appropriate adjusted for your sailboat, if you have an autohelm, make sure the compass on that agrees with the boat compass, check stanchions for tightness where fitted to the deck or at the bottom fitting, check to see that all doors and hinging platforms fit properly (v-berth platform had to be modified). But most of all, enjoy as both Hunter and your dealer are behind the boat. Its like a new car, there may be a few minor problems, but in total, you'll enjoy your new acquisition. Jim H340
Because of your address, I assume your dealer is close by, thus making the question less critical. Periodically make a list of problems and give it to him. Things that are good to check: engine alignment, check to see if fan belt pulley rubs against insulation, check for minor leaks like a strut bolt seeping, make sure mast is tuned and doesn't bend in a hard wind, make sure you know the operation of all systems, check marine radio for interference, check to make sure that the tube in the top of the cabin accepting the wires from the mast has been caulked from above to avoid leaks in this area, check reefing system to make sure it is working properly, check meters, gauges, etc. for accuracy (especially knot meter - check this against handheld gps), check to see if the compass has been appropriate adjusted for your sailboat, if you have an autohelm, make sure the compass on that agrees with the boat compass, check stanchions for tightness where fitted to the deck or at the bottom fitting, check to see that all doors and hinging platforms fit properly (v-berth platform had to be modified). But most of all, enjoy as both Hunter and your dealer are behind the boat. Its like a new car, there may be a few minor problems, but in total, you'll enjoy your new acquisition. Jim H340
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Don
absolutely
If you just read what I did summarizing the experience a new Beneateau owner recently experienced after taking delivery of a new 411, you'd get it surveyed thoroughly. among the things dealers and surveyors probably never check which went wrong are the steering cables, hose defects and other insideous things only a delivery captain might look at. My advioce, particularly with a production boat manufacturer is get it surveyed thoroughly before taking delivery. Don
If you just read what I did summarizing the experience a new Beneateau owner recently experienced after taking delivery of a new 411, you'd get it surveyed thoroughly. among the things dealers and surveyors probably never check which went wrong are the steering cables, hose defects and other insideous things only a delivery captain might look at. My advioce, particularly with a production boat manufacturer is get it surveyed thoroughly before taking delivery. Don
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Wynn Ferrel
Disagree on new boat survey
On a USED boat, I think a survey is a must. On a NEW boat, I think it is a waste of money if you use REASONABLE CAUTION --- such as: 1. Verify that the dealer has a good reputation for soving customer complaints. In a recent Hunter newsletter, Hunter published its top "customer service" award winner dealers. I would go out of my way to be sure I bought a boat from one of these dealers or a dealer other owners were very pleased with. 2. Hold back a portion of the purchase price until all systems are go and the boat meets your satisfaction. 3. Check the hull and major structural areas of the boat. Obviously, if the hull has a sag in it you don't want that boat. It may have been improperly stored on jacks, causing hull damage. 3. All the systems are warrentied on a new boat for at least one year. There will be problems. Now I know what used boat owners mean when the advertise their boats for sale and say, "Better that new." You will spend a lot of time and some frustration getting your boat debugged. Just develop a "punch list" IN WRITTING and fax a copy to your dealer every time you visit the boat or after every service visit by the dealer. Keeps all problems above board and advised the dealer of all pending concerns in case he is the kind of guy who trusts your repair orders to scrap paper. Also, I am in hopes that Phil will post excerpts of the Hunter "Service" awards on this site so that Hunter customers can see who the better dealers are. It will mean more business for the better customer care dealers and possibly encourage the lesser rated dealers to improve their service --- or lose business. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
On a USED boat, I think a survey is a must. On a NEW boat, I think it is a waste of money if you use REASONABLE CAUTION --- such as: 1. Verify that the dealer has a good reputation for soving customer complaints. In a recent Hunter newsletter, Hunter published its top "customer service" award winner dealers. I would go out of my way to be sure I bought a boat from one of these dealers or a dealer other owners were very pleased with. 2. Hold back a portion of the purchase price until all systems are go and the boat meets your satisfaction. 3. Check the hull and major structural areas of the boat. Obviously, if the hull has a sag in it you don't want that boat. It may have been improperly stored on jacks, causing hull damage. 3. All the systems are warrentied on a new boat for at least one year. There will be problems. Now I know what used boat owners mean when the advertise their boats for sale and say, "Better that new." You will spend a lot of time and some frustration getting your boat debugged. Just develop a "punch list" IN WRITTING and fax a copy to your dealer every time you visit the boat or after every service visit by the dealer. Keeps all problems above board and advised the dealer of all pending concerns in case he is the kind of guy who trusts your repair orders to scrap paper. Also, I am in hopes that Phil will post excerpts of the Hunter "Service" awards on this site so that Hunter customers can see who the better dealers are. It will mean more business for the better customer care dealers and possibly encourage the lesser rated dealers to improve their service --- or lose business. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Not all problems are obvious...
And your point #3 is good illustration. An improperly set boat can have structural problems without sagging enough to be noticeable. Even the best builders can produce a "lemon" every now and then, especially production builders fighting to keep up with orders. Voids in the hull, defective structural members, mistakes in wiring do happen, and only someone with the right tools and knowledge is likely to find 'em. You may consider it a waste of money to have a new boat surveyed...I put it in the same category as insurance: the odds of a claim for more than I can afford to cover out of my own pocket--for more than my deductable amount--are slim, but as long as the possibility exists, it's not a waste of money. And, there's no better way to find out just about everything about your boat--new or used--than to spend a day going over every inch of it with a really good surveyor.
And your point #3 is good illustration. An improperly set boat can have structural problems without sagging enough to be noticeable. Even the best builders can produce a "lemon" every now and then, especially production builders fighting to keep up with orders. Voids in the hull, defective structural members, mistakes in wiring do happen, and only someone with the right tools and knowledge is likely to find 'em. You may consider it a waste of money to have a new boat surveyed...I put it in the same category as insurance: the odds of a claim for more than I can afford to cover out of my own pocket--for more than my deductable amount--are slim, but as long as the possibility exists, it's not a waste of money. And, there's no better way to find out just about everything about your boat--new or used--than to spend a day going over every inch of it with a really good surveyor.
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Greg Guthman
Thank you...
Thanx for the tips so far. The dealer (Tidewater in Havre De Grace, MD) has a pretty good reputation from what I hear. They are insisting that the boat stay at their marina, at their expense, for a couple of weeks so any problems can be attended to right away. I will only be a bit down the way from them going forward, but I wanted to catch as many things as possible up front. Figured you folks have seen it all in new Hunters and might have some specific things that might go on my "list". Thanx again
Thanx for the tips so far. The dealer (Tidewater in Havre De Grace, MD) has a pretty good reputation from what I hear. They are insisting that the boat stay at their marina, at their expense, for a couple of weeks so any problems can be attended to right away. I will only be a bit down the way from them going forward, but I wanted to catch as many things as possible up front. Figured you folks have seen it all in new Hunters and might have some specific things that might go on my "list". Thanx again
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Wynn Ferrel
Greg, see "The Boats" forum
Greg, see "The Boats" from HOW Home Page. It is pretty hard to give you a list of "specific" problems that may exist on your new boat unless we've owned a 320. I know what you are driving at. You want to get a "heads up" on past owner's experiences while you've got your boat at the dealer's facility. Since your H320 is a newer model, I would suggest you go to "The Boats" forum off of the Home Page on HOW, go to your model number and see if current owners have written reviews for your 320. If you need more info, you can email them directly for their first hand experiences. You might, also, check the H310 and the H340 models for comments. I did when I got my new boat and nailed a couple of known problems on the H340 model right at the start. The dealer made the necessary modifications to my boat during the commissioning process. Adding to my prior post, you will find that Hunter's "Customer Support" department is excellant. It may ease your mind a bit knowing that Hunter Marine will make sure your boat is "right" during the warrenty period. That has been my experience. Good luck! Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
Greg, see "The Boats" from HOW Home Page. It is pretty hard to give you a list of "specific" problems that may exist on your new boat unless we've owned a 320. I know what you are driving at. You want to get a "heads up" on past owner's experiences while you've got your boat at the dealer's facility. Since your H320 is a newer model, I would suggest you go to "The Boats" forum off of the Home Page on HOW, go to your model number and see if current owners have written reviews for your 320. If you need more info, you can email them directly for their first hand experiences. You might, also, check the H310 and the H340 models for comments. I did when I got my new boat and nailed a couple of known problems on the H340 model right at the start. The dealer made the necessary modifications to my boat during the commissioning process. Adding to my prior post, you will find that Hunter's "Customer Support" department is excellant. It may ease your mind a bit knowing that Hunter Marine will make sure your boat is "right" during the warrenty period. That has been my experience. Good luck! Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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Ralph Johnstone
Given the Opportunity ............................
I would definitely have had our new 1999 H310 surveyed two years ago. None of the problems were major in nature but we did eventually wind up with 36 warranty repair items ...... all of them just due to a lack of quality control. The lost use of the boat and wasted hours going back and forth to the dealer were far more inconvenience than the cost of the survey. When finally completed, it's worth it but make it easy on yourself .......... use a surveyor. Regards, s/v Island Hunter
I would definitely have had our new 1999 H310 surveyed two years ago. None of the problems were major in nature but we did eventually wind up with 36 warranty repair items ...... all of them just due to a lack of quality control. The lost use of the boat and wasted hours going back and forth to the dealer were far more inconvenience than the cost of the survey. When finally completed, it's worth it but make it easy on yourself .......... use a surveyor. Regards, s/v Island Hunter
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Rich
Get a survey
Given the cost of buying a new boat the few dollars invested in a professional survey would be well worth the money and piece of mind. A boat is a whole series of complex systems all interacting. Sometimes a small problem with one can lead to big damage to another. You may find yourself fighting with the dealer or Hunter over a major repair that can be avoided. My surveyor found a small check valve with a split thread on the mixing elbow of the cooling system that was leaking seawater directly onto the wire harness whenever the engine was running. Who knows what a mess this could have lead to. Avoided it by replacing a $5.00 part. That's just one example. Unless you are familiar with every aspect of every part of the boat and very mechanically adept I'd hire a surveyor and catch as many potential problems as possible right up front. Just my opinion.
Given the cost of buying a new boat the few dollars invested in a professional survey would be well worth the money and piece of mind. A boat is a whole series of complex systems all interacting. Sometimes a small problem with one can lead to big damage to another. You may find yourself fighting with the dealer or Hunter over a major repair that can be avoided. My surveyor found a small check valve with a split thread on the mixing elbow of the cooling system that was leaking seawater directly onto the wire harness whenever the engine was running. Who knows what a mess this could have lead to. Avoided it by replacing a $5.00 part. That's just one example. Unless you are familiar with every aspect of every part of the boat and very mechanically adept I'd hire a surveyor and catch as many potential problems as possible right up front. Just my opinion.
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