I am considering purchasing a 1986 H34. What advice would you give regarding problem areas? How satisfied have you been as an owner? Thanks. Doug
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Doug I think you'll find 89 owner reviews of this boat here on the boat info -model info section of the archive
Doug I think you'll find 89 owner reviews of this boat here on the boat info -model info section of the archive
Doug,
The reviews should be helpful but these boats are at least 20 years old by now. That means lots of stuff could have happened to them, good and bad. That means that the most important opinion is the one about the boat you are looking at; yours. Love mine even if it's been through hell.
The reviews should be helpful but these boats are at least 20 years old by now. That means lots of stuff could have happened to them, good and bad. That means that the most important opinion is the one about the boat you are looking at; yours. Love mine even if it's been through hell.
I love mine
The 34 is , I think a great boat. But look for deformation at the compression post area as water can get in through the cable entries and soften the wood. the windows were badly fitted on mine and caused a lot of damage to the wood inside. It's all repairable but disapointing. Use 3M 5200 to seal instead of silicone cures all the problems. and the cushions slide off the bunks when heeled.... ah well
The 34 is , I think a great boat. But look for deformation at the compression post area as water can get in through the cable entries and soften the wood. the windows were badly fitted on mine and caused a lot of damage to the wood inside. It's all repairable but disapointing. Use 3M 5200 to seal instead of silicone cures all the problems. and the cushions slide off the bunks when heeled.... ah well
Doug
Bought an 86 in July and I am very happy. The previouis owners took good care of her. The rest of the folks on this sight are right on the money with respect to the strengths and weaknesses of the boat. The boat is a lot of fun to sail. Despite a growing to do list, I would buy another. Get a survey!
Bought an 86 in July and I am very happy. The previouis owners took good care of her. The rest of the folks on this sight are right on the money with respect to the strengths and weaknesses of the boat. The boat is a lot of fun to sail. Despite a growing to do list, I would buy another. Get a survey!
ditto
went from a hunter 30 to the 34 and i think i could park the 30 inside the 34!! i wished the cockpit was wider and had a scoop transom but thats the next boat. mike ps dont use 5200 on the windows, use 4200 (5200 below the water, 4200 above) youll never get them out again!!
went from a hunter 30 to the 34 and i think i could park the 30 inside the 34!! i wished the cockpit was wider and had a scoop transom but thats the next boat. mike ps dont use 5200 on the windows, use 4200 (5200 below the water, 4200 above) youll never get them out again!!
h34 Advice
The vessel is a good value. It performs well and is affordable but... it leaks the rudder design is weak and prone to failure windows leak the wood compression post will fail due to rot toe rail leaks the hardware and winches like need to be updated cabin top sea hood leaks water collects in the grid under the floor that STINKS they leak the keel will rust and you will have to deal with a few leaks as long as you own it
The vessel is a good value. It performs well and is affordable but... it leaks the rudder design is weak and prone to failure windows leak the wood compression post will fail due to rot toe rail leaks the hardware and winches like need to be updated cabin top sea hood leaks water collects in the grid under the floor that STINKS they leak the keel will rust and you will have to deal with a few leaks as long as you own it
Many problems have been resolved by now.
Doug: Many of the problems with boats of this vintage have been resolved by now. We had a H'31 and it was mostly trouble free. Our boat as well as many of the H'34s have had a leak that causes the compression post and sometimes the crossmember to rot. There have been reports of some (not many) owners have reported rudder problems. The early ones had undersized rudders (should not be a problem with a 86 model). We never had any problems with toe rail leaks. The toe rail is outboard, so it is not a major problem to tighten the bolts if they have loosened. Be sure to check out the owners reviews. If the boat still looks good then there are good chances that it has been well taken care of. Try to contact the owner if you are purchasing through a broker and see what they have done or if they have a history of the boat.
Doug: Many of the problems with boats of this vintage have been resolved by now. We had a H'31 and it was mostly trouble free. Our boat as well as many of the H'34s have had a leak that causes the compression post and sometimes the crossmember to rot. There have been reports of some (not many) owners have reported rudder problems. The early ones had undersized rudders (should not be a problem with a 86 model). We never had any problems with toe rail leaks. The toe rail is outboard, so it is not a major problem to tighten the bolts if they have loosened. Be sure to check out the owners reviews. If the boat still looks good then there are good chances that it has been well taken care of. Try to contact the owner if you are purchasing through a broker and see what they have done or if they have a history of the boat.
Get a Detailed Survey
I also looked at a Hunter 34 - 1985 here last week in Seattle (have been loooking for almost a year). Wow the head had an odor that wouldn't quit. Compartments under the settees had brackish water in them. I don't think that the owner ever gave her a washdown. This model has holding tank issues unless resolved by the previous owner. I'd look into a lectra san if that is a problem. There was also a noticeable depression at the mast step. Needless to say I passed on the boat..it had been unfortunately neglected by the current owner. There is a diffrence between a well used boat owned by a sailor versus a neglected boat owned by the occasional puddle wader. Still the boat has great lines (Swan like to me at a tenth the price...indulge me here), great volume of interior space and sails in light air. I'll keep looking. If you would like to look at an incredible refit of H34 log onto http://epitomesrebuild.com. Good luck on your purchase. Best advice get a detailed survey including rigging and mechanical.
I also looked at a Hunter 34 - 1985 here last week in Seattle (have been loooking for almost a year). Wow the head had an odor that wouldn't quit. Compartments under the settees had brackish water in them. I don't think that the owner ever gave her a washdown. This model has holding tank issues unless resolved by the previous owner. I'd look into a lectra san if that is a problem. There was also a noticeable depression at the mast step. Needless to say I passed on the boat..it had been unfortunately neglected by the current owner. There is a diffrence between a well used boat owned by a sailor versus a neglected boat owned by the occasional puddle wader. Still the boat has great lines (Swan like to me at a tenth the price...indulge me here), great volume of interior space and sails in light air. I'll keep looking. If you would like to look at an incredible refit of H34 log onto http://epitomesrebuild.com. Good luck on your purchase. Best advice get a detailed survey including rigging and mechanical.
Doug...
don't be discouraged. The H34 is a great boat, with no more problems than any other production boat. Fred's resident expert--check out his link to the work he did to restore his after near disaster. Daryl's the resident Poo-Bah. Find the right one and you'll love the boat! H34 Intrepid
don't be discouraged. The H34 is a great boat, with no more problems than any other production boat. Fred's resident expert--check out his link to the work he did to restore his after near disaster. Daryl's the resident Poo-Bah. Find the right one and you'll love the boat! H34 Intrepid
Would buy mine all over
I am a real H34 fan, and if I was going to buy another sailboat, would buy that model all over again. Many of the criticisms of this production boat are true, but put the cost/value measure on it and it is a great boat. The compression post problem may be the most concern but my '83 has never had a problem there. My leaking ports were easily fixed by reseating with silicone. I wish that my early model rudder was larger but understanding it has avoided problems. I looked a lot before deciding on a H34 13 years ago and have never regretted getting mine. In light air I can sail circles around "better" boats and never expect to take it blue water voyaging.
I am a real H34 fan, and if I was going to buy another sailboat, would buy that model all over again. Many of the criticisms of this production boat are true, but put the cost/value measure on it and it is a great boat. The compression post problem may be the most concern but my '83 has never had a problem there. My leaking ports were easily fixed by reseating with silicone. I wish that my early model rudder was larger but understanding it has avoided problems. I looked a lot before deciding on a H34 13 years ago and have never regretted getting mine. In light air I can sail circles around "better" boats and never expect to take it blue water voyaging.
Going On My Seventh Year.....
and as far as I'm concerned it's been a great boat. I have a 1983, hull #170, and have had very little problems. That doesn't mean I haven't done a lot of work on her but like the others have said it's a 20+ year old vessel. If you're like most of us working on your boat is the best therapy you can get. Writing about her is the next best therapy
and as far as I'm concerned it's been a great boat. I have a 1983, hull #170, and have had very little problems. That doesn't mean I haven't done a lot of work on her but like the others have said it's a 20+ year old vessel. If you're like most of us working on your boat is the best therapy you can get. Writing about her is the next best therapy
I loved mine
My husband and I had a 1985 H34 that we bought in June of 2003. We sailed it three summers and had it in charter. Sure, the boat had issues but what boat doesn't? The only reason we sold it was because we have to pay for a 40 foot slip at our marina. They only allow 3 feet of overhang so we were too big for the 30 ft slips so we had to go to a 40 foot slip. I figured if I had to pay for a 40 foot slip, I may as well have a 40 foot boat. At least, that was the way I explained it to my Captain who then went and found me a 1995 Hunter 40.5. Fits in the slip just fine. I did love the boat though for all the things people have mentioned. Great value for the money, lots of interior room, fabulous light air performance and decent heavy air performance. I am pretty sure that the compression post issue and the rudder issues were problems in the years 83-85 and were mostly fixed in 86 but a survey is an excellent idea. I wish you all the best and lots of great sailing!
My husband and I had a 1985 H34 that we bought in June of 2003. We sailed it three summers and had it in charter. Sure, the boat had issues but what boat doesn't? The only reason we sold it was because we have to pay for a 40 foot slip at our marina. They only allow 3 feet of overhang so we were too big for the 30 ft slips so we had to go to a 40 foot slip. I figured if I had to pay for a 40 foot slip, I may as well have a 40 foot boat. At least, that was the way I explained it to my Captain who then went and found me a 1995 Hunter 40.5. Fits in the slip just fine. I did love the boat though for all the things people have mentioned. Great value for the money, lots of interior room, fabulous light air performance and decent heavy air performance. I am pretty sure that the compression post issue and the rudder issues were problems in the years 83-85 and were mostly fixed in 86 but a survey is an excellent idea. I wish you all the best and lots of great sailing!
I too am on my 7th year with the boat
and would buy it again... I just love the look of the boat.. I just had the boat painted and a new bottom. Yes I've done a a lot of work since I purchased her but that's the way it is with an older boat.
and would buy it again... I just love the look of the boat.. I just had the boat painted and a new bottom. Yes I've done a a lot of work since I purchased her but that's the way it is with an older boat.
give this some thought
You might be able to find a 40 for a little more money- they are like a 34 on steroids and some of the problems are taken away by the bigger design( ie it has a metal Compression post as opposed to the wooden one on the 34 and it is inspectable.) just a thought
You might be able to find a 40 for a little more money- they are like a 34 on steroids and some of the problems are taken away by the bigger design( ie it has a metal Compression post as opposed to the wooden one on the 34 and it is inspectable.) just a thought
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