newbie 45ds owner question

[maneframe]

Hi, all....
Just signed a contract on a new 2009 45ds to launch in the spring. Mariner's package, maxiprop, full enclosure, davitts.

Just wondering if there is anything special any of you 45ds owners would have had done to the boat before you even took possession of it?

Anything that bugged the daylights out of you right from day 1?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Ed Schenck]

If you purchased a new H45 then you probably have spent some time around here. So you have read about many of the trials and tribulations with commissioning a new boat. The boat ships with a two-part mast and no arch. Bottom-line is that I would be all over that commission. I might even have an expert with me. Maybe you can prevent some of the problems of the marina putting the boat together.

 

[seadaddler]

Ditto

When my 2007 H-36 was being commissioned I was lucky to be retired and was able to be around at the dealer while they checked everything while they were putting everything together and pretty much was able to live on and near the boat during most of the commissioning but that's not possible buy most buyers.
I also was very lucky to have a great dealer at the time who was great at doing the best job of making sure every thing on my boat was perfect for me and they were very good at making me a very happy Hunter buyer,the dealer is the most important part of buying a boat for sure.
And when they go over the half day walk through with you checking and showing every nook and cranny works perfect and all equipment is working perfect during the shake down test sail and if not you do not take the boat home and do not sign anything until you are complete satisfied.
Don't be scared what I am saying most Hunter owners are very happy with their boats and the dealer but every once in awhile some things slip through the cracks and get missed and you want nothing to be missed before you sail away to home.
Good luck and what electronics did you get on your new boat.
Nick

 

[Rick486]

I wish you the best on your exciting purchase. It will be a long winter waiting but exciting as your new yacht comes together.

I bought a 44 DS in 2007 at the boat show in the Fall so my experience was exactly parallel to what yours will be. Let me say right up front the boat has been great with no issues to speak of, my dealer was terrific, and Hunter has been also great. I couldn't be happier with the design, the systems, and the sailing and powering performance. Here are a few thoughts:

1. We had two coats of epoxy applied to the hull before bottom paint was applied.

2. I made a conscious decision with the full enclosure to have the dodger at the same elevation (as close as possible) to the elevation of the bimini so there is an unbroken line visually from the forward end of the dodger to the aft end of the bimini. This gives you the maximum height overhead when standing at the top of the companionway. I am 5-11" and I can stand under the dodger on the bridge deck with almost full height. I also had the bimini extended aft to cover the perch seats, even though they are outside of the full enclosure. also, be aware of the various supports holding up the bimini on the arch. Your canvas guy may want to place a support where the side curtain is for ingress and egress from the cockpit. This is not desirable. I also had grab handles placed outboard on the dodger for support when moving up the side deck. I also had "blinders" made to cover the dodger eisenglass when at the slip.

3. Maxprop. The key here is getting the pitch right. Recommend talking with PYI on this. Mine is set at 15".

4. I installed a salt water washdown for the anchor locker.

5. I had the dealer install a mast head tricolor light for running offshore. This and the washdown required the installation of an auxiliary blue sea DC breaker panel as there were inadequate spares on the stock panel.

6. Davits. Did you order the Hunter davits which mount on the arch? That's what I have and they are great. I diod add various features to keep my dink from moving around in a seaway.

7. Recommend running the AC condensate drains into the shower sumps fore and aft as I have. My bilge is always dry.

8. Batteries. My boat came with 3 x 4D gel batteries. Some are delivered with 2, but wired for three. Suggest you look into this.

All I can think of right now. If you would like some pics, send me a private note with your email and I'll send them along.

 

[seadaddler]

Dodger

When I purchased my 2007 H-36 I had the dodger pretty much with the connector the same height and no support arms forward of the bimini just zipper the connector canvas from dodger to the bimini and this way gives more wide open in cockpit but it is tuff to watch the main sail with it on and so I saw a few with clear panel in the connector and extra cover to keep sun out.
I also have the dodger panels zipper up and off for nice weather air flow and I got clear side panels of cockpit but not full closer,here now living in Florida need air flow more so.
I have a inverta and PF Gen also.extra bilge alarm,great idea sending AC drain to sump shower, wash down I added my self at the anchor and also at stern is great washing off bloody fish,grab handles on dodger also good idea.
Good luck with really nice boat.
Nick

 

[Rick486]

Re: Dodger

Excellent point on the mainsail visibility. My canvas guy put a "skylight" in the bimini so I can see most of the main from the helm. It has an internal cover attached by velcro so that in the slip or on the hook the "skylight" can be "closed". Little things like this make a big difference. Also, now that you mention it, the Doyle jib and main had no tell tales at delivery so I had a local sailmaker put in a telltale window and additional telltales in the jib, and tell tales on the leach of the main.

Also for Maneframe, the dealer quoted the 2 kw Raymarine radar and I upgraded to the 4 kw for 1 "boat unit" extra. Better discrimination for targets.

 

[Rick]

Re: Dodger

Great thread

You guys nailed it.. particularly "Mr. Ed". Although I havent bought a boat new, if I were too, I definately would invest in an "expert" to be with me before I accepted it.

Cheers and enjoy! Im jealous.