New sailboat owner!

[Squadron]

Hi!

I just purchased a 1982 Hunter H22 swing-keel, and I'm reading through the owner's manual and lots of other documentation I got from it. I also found this forum, and figured you guys would be a great resource as well.

My question:

Since it's a fairly old sailboat, I checked everything I knew how to check prior to purchase: There's no weak spots in the hull, the outboard runs and needs a small tuneup, the sails are all solid, all of the rigging is solid and is not corroded (newly replaced), there is fresh caulk around the portholes and the companionway, the swing keel is a smooth operation, and the boat rides high in the water with the bilge pumps rarely needing to run.

What else should I be checking for on a boat this old? What are some common missteps I should avoid (aside from the entire "never own a hole in the water you throw money into" thing).

Thanks!

 

[Thread]

Boats

I would say the first misstep is buying a boat without a survey. Now that you own the boat the next misstep is not having it surveyed. If it were me that would be my next step.

Thread

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Re: Boats

Get a survey if you need to have one ... you may need it if you have to be insured where you are keeping your boat. Otherwise, on a small purchase such as yours, it may be an unnecessary expense, especially if you have checked out the boat as thoroughly as you seem to have done. I wouldn't worry about mis-steps too much ... just sail your boat and enjoy! You may want to upgrade some of your systems, so walk the docks and look at how other boats your size are set up. Ask questions. Visit this forum frequently. Shop the store on this site. Sail her a bit and many of the questions and answers will eventually make more sense to you.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Well....I wouldn't survey a $4000 boat. Sorry, it is a waste of money. My Hunter 22 was about that price and I didn't survey it.

Hunter 22 is an awesome 22 foot boat. When I had mine I did some extended cruising on it and sailed across the Chesapeake Bay in it. It is a nice sailing boat.

On one note...be very careful with the alcohol stove that is in that boat. Replace it with something else and don't use it. Mine had a leake where the alcohol didn't absorb properly (it is non pressurized) and it started a small galley fire. It took me for-ever to get the dust from the fire extunguisher out of the boat!

All in all, if the hull is good, the rigging is good, and the sails are good then you are in business. Get the outboard tuned and running well and make sure you have an okay fuel tank and the line is okay. Then you can load the boat up with all the necessary gear and have a blast sailing her!

 

[SeacretSailor]

Wow, what an interesting way to welcome a new sailor..... shame he didn't sign his name.

Sean, congratulations on your choice. I've only been sailing for 4 years and am already on my 3rd boat! I started with a small Mac 21ft, (to test the waters), then a Mac 26ft and now a C&C 29. I never took a course, but read all the books, got my USCG license and just went out (never far from land and in good weather initially) and learned by making mistakes.

This forum has taught me soooo much. They guys here are a WEALTH of knowledge and will readily help you. Just remember, prior to asking, check the archives first. Most times, topics have been covered and you can find excellent answers there, but don't ever hesitate to ask, I haven't.

Take the boat out for a test sail. Do some tacks and gybes and try out all the equipment. To me, "redundancy" is the key word to sailing smartly. If something fails, have a back-up to be able to continue.

KB

 

[Maine Sail]

A survey

A survey on an inexpensive boat can go both ways. It could potentially save you money if you decided not to buy the boat, due to the survey. On a boat that is small and inexpensive they are often not appropriate price wise, though, I have seen people spend 20% of the purchase price on a survey before.

The areas I focus on with small boats is rigging, chain plates and ensuring the deck is not saturated near chain plates. Also, with a swing keel pay attention to the cable and pin and be sure the mast is not settling into the deck.. A lot less to go wrong on a 22 footer than on a 30 footer but it still can..

I think you'll be fine without a survey..

For more info on inspecting boats feel free to read this it may also help you after the purchase.

Pre-Inspection Buyers Tips (LINK)

 

[JerryA]

Welcome Sean

Welcome to sailing Sean! Sounds like you've found a good boat to get started. Keep an eye on the water in the bilge.

JerryA

 

[Squadron]

Yeah, I pondered a survey and might have one done anyway down the road. I've had plenty of bad experiences with the last boat, so I took all of those learning experiences and applied it to this boat purchase. Either way, it wasn't a large investment so I'm trying not to let my worries overwhelm the fun factor. And from everything I read, I think this one will be one we're going to have fun with for several years at least. Maybe eventually we'll get one just a hair bigger for some more serious cruises, but I think this one will be amazing for what we want it for.

The boat is pretty well kitted out right now, so aside from maybe replacing one of the bilge pumps and some of the wiring (which I learned how to do from the last boat experience) I don't think I've got a lot of work to do on it. I am planning on taking out the alcohol stove.. I've heard a lot of horror stories about those things.

I honestly can't wait to take it out and have some fun!

Thanks for all the information, guys!

 

[Ross]

Re: A survey

Think about what you will do if something breaks. You seem to be resourceful and haven't rushed into a poorly considered decision. You will be fine. It is much like a car, you can have it serviced by a good mechanic and have it die on the way home. there are no guarantees in life.

 

[Dan Hill]

Our first was a Mac/Venture 22 that we purchased without a survey. A survey on this size/value of vessel would be overkill in my opinion. The best way to learn is to DO. Sail, eat, sleep, repeat!

 

[adirondackbob]

Re: New Sailboat Owner

Congratulations and good luck! I'd second what several others have said. I don't think you need a survey, but Maine Sail is right: check those chainplates and other areas around deck hardware. When I bought my O'Day 23 a few years ago, I had neither a survey nor the experience to look for problems like deck core rot from leaky hardware, and I learned the hard way that those problems can be serious. On the other hand, having to address those problems forced me to learn a lot more about my boat and how to maintain her than a survey would have. This forum has been invaluable in that learning process.

One bit of advice I'd offer is to consider taking a sailing class. My wife and I did a weekend sailing school a few months after buying the boat, and it was extremely helpful in giving us a good foundation as we learned to sail her the rest of that first season.

Bob

 

[Tulsa1]

Survey or Not

I own a 1980 Hunter 25. No survey, but then I planned to virtually rebuild it anyway. Lots of leaks in the ports (replaced the hull liners and all but 1 port) and most had delaminated (you have to remove them to put in new ones anyway...lenses fogged, plastic's cracked), wiring was old, and the panel was barely useful if you plan to add any equipment and if you find it annoying that turning on 1 light requires turning all of them on inside (1 circuit, only 1 switch).

The boat is really pretty simple.

 

[jwandling]

Small Boat Survey

Since you already bought the boat, I wouldn't worry about a survey. I would guess a survey on this boat could run 250 - 300 bucks. For that and a little elbow grease you could probably re-bed all the hardware, and get rid of any rot you might find while doing so. Getting rid of alcohol stove is probably good advice. I sail a 22 and weekend once in awhile. I use a sea-swing that has a propane canister. Works great and you can store the canisters in the fuel locker.

One caution. You should not have any water in you bilge. Figure out where it is coming from and fix it.

Good luck.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I didn't get a survey but the guy I was buying it from told me the boat was good!:Liar:

 

[jimford2158]

I just had a survey on my boat while I had it out for bottom paint. The jerk wrote it upfor everything including safety equipment which was in the boat at the time and is recent. Before I hired him he agreed to finish survey when back in the water. Needless to say, now he won't finish the survey and I'm out 400 bucks. I can't even get insurance with the way he wrote it up and this is a fairly solid and seaworthy craft. Some of the stuff he wrote up doesn't even make sense. You would be better off just hiring a good mechanic to look it over and he probably won't charge 400 an hour, which is probably all the time this moron spent on it.

 

[wonkodsane]

I just had a survey on my boat while I had it out for bottom paint. The jerk wrote it upfor everything including safety equipment which was in the boat at the time and is recent. Before I hired him he agreed to finish survey when back in the water. Needless to say, now he won't finish the survey and I'm out 400 bucks. I can't even get insurance with the way he wrote it up and this is a fairly solid and seaworthy craft. Some of the stuff he wrote up doesn't even make sense. You would be better off just hiring a good mechanic to look it over and he probably won't charge 400 an hour, which is probably all the time this moron spent on it.

Which speaks to using this board as a tool.

Anyone know a good surveyor in Charleston, SC? (-:

 

[Absolutely]

Welcome to sailing....you can see all the ideas that we each use to satisfy our own worries about buying a sailboat. After 30 years of sailing, here's my history. Dolphin $20 bought a garage sale, Venture 23 bought new, Bayliner 27 bought from friend (it was great), Bayliner 30 bought as demo from boat show, Catalina 27 bought from relative, Bayliner 20 gift from Dealer, Catalina 22 bought as junk, fixed up, C&C 29 bought as junk, fixed up, Catalina 36 bought from individual and had a survey.
If it looks bad, most likely it is. If is too good to be true, most likely it is. If it is real expensive, protect yourself, get a survey.
Have a great time and enjoy yourself. Remember these words, "the slower the boat, the bigger the lake."
Have fun. Gene Long "Absolutely" Grapevine TX

 

[Scotian]

Insurance may be the only challenge without a survey..

 

[Bumbling Bill]

USCG license

I've only been sailing for 4 years.....I never took a course, but read all the books, got my USCG license and just went out

Are they just handing them out these days. That seems to be a bit shy on sea time to me.

 

[Jolly-Roger]

Welcome to boating...
My only suggestion is to insure your ground tackle.... A properly stored rode and hook may add to your confidence.......
Jolly-Roger