My poor blind mother could have done better … Attached are photos of my companionway ladder and engine cover installation. They were so poorly installed, that the off kilter angle they both set at makes me crazy every time I look at them. AND because of the off angle, the engine cover does not sit in its track on the starboard side. From the looks of it, it would take MUCH re-drilling and filling in both the teak bulkhead and the hull to fix it … is it worth it? Is the engine cover compromised to any extent that it is a safety concern? FTR – I bought this 2001 380 in early 2003. If I had bought new I would not have accepted this. This is the worst I have ever seen. Jeff S/V Camille
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I'd Sure Fix It
...if aligning the top won't foul up the lower alignment. Must have been a Monday morning boat (after the Superbowl...). You could just use some veneer in a cut-circle trim to hide the old holes, but I'd be inclined to fill them and re-jell coat the old holes. Either that or quit looking aft <smile>. Wait until it rains so you have some time. Like maybe March... Rick D.
...if aligning the top won't foul up the lower alignment. Must have been a Monday morning boat (after the Superbowl...). You could just use some veneer in a cut-circle trim to hide the old holes, but I'd be inclined to fill them and re-jell coat the old holes. Either that or quit looking aft <smile>. Wait until it rains so you have some time. Like maybe March... Rick D.
Just another prove,
Hunter has both workmanship and quality control deficiency problem throughout their history, a problem seems Hunter never able or doesn't care to taking care of.
Hunter has both workmanship and quality control deficiency problem throughout their history, a problem seems Hunter never able or doesn't care to taking care of.
Oh, John....
...just see how symmetrical custom boats are. For that matter custom car bodies too, at least 20 years ago. Of course, it isn't as obvious as this! Actually, for a production boat, and having had two Hunters, I'm certainly satisfied with the quality. Actually, I'd be satisfied without the qualifier too. Rick D.
...just see how symmetrical custom boats are. For that matter custom car bodies too, at least 20 years ago. Of course, it isn't as obvious as this! Actually, for a production boat, and having had two Hunters, I'm certainly satisfied with the quality. Actually, I'd be satisfied without the qualifier too. Rick D.
First of all, Rick, the people who did the work...
probably watch soccer and not the superbowl. Second, after a few years and a few glasses of wine....you wont care. Its like that first scratch on your car..OH MY GOD!! After a few more scratches...it wont bother you that much. good luck, abe
probably watch soccer and not the superbowl. Second, after a few years and a few glasses of wine....you wont care. Its like that first scratch on your car..OH MY GOD!! After a few more scratches...it wont bother you that much. good luck, abe
Workmanship and quality control
are a set standard for every single product company deliver to their customer. I can provide dozen of repair, correction job I had done on my Hunter because of poor wrokmanship. But, I think the Jeffrey's picture says all.
are a set standard for every single product company deliver to their customer. I can provide dozen of repair, correction job I had done on my Hunter because of poor wrokmanship. But, I think the Jeffrey's picture says all.
John
again, of the "dozens", would you give me some examples please. I also wonder which mfg makes perfect boats which don't require any repairs of identified mfg defects. I want one!
again, of the "dozens", would you give me some examples please. I also wonder which mfg makes perfect boats which don't require any repairs of identified mfg defects. I want one!
Look Carefully
Jeffrey, Before re-drilling etc I suggest that you look carefully at the ladder itself as it might be twisted or built wrong. If the latter there might not be any solution other than have a new ladder. Good luck anyway - it sure would offend me every time I used it.
Jeffrey, Before re-drilling etc I suggest that you look carefully at the ladder itself as it might be twisted or built wrong. If the latter there might not be any solution other than have a new ladder. Good luck anyway - it sure would offend me every time I used it.
Companionway Ladder
Jeffery, I share your concerns for poor workmanship and quality control at Hunter. If it were my boat, I'd reset the ladder and do the best job of hiding the old attachment. I can't tell how many corrections I've had to do on my 386 due to stripped bolts, leaky windows/ports, extra piece/parts left in blind spots during its manufacturing. The list goes on; to include poor electrical fittings, inaccessable plumbing (like access to strainers), and poorly cut & fitted joinery. Even with the best surveyor, a lot of these things aren't discovered until something breaks or stops working. I agree with Don's comment, there aren't any "perfect" boats being built. It's a Hunter and a production boat that's put together in the shortest possible timeframe. However, the guys building these boats should have a certain standard & skill level than trying to seat fittings without using caulk, or running a bunch of screws off because he's in "a hurry". If I had the money I'd buy a Gozzard and be happy.
Jeffery, I share your concerns for poor workmanship and quality control at Hunter. If it were my boat, I'd reset the ladder and do the best job of hiding the old attachment. I can't tell how many corrections I've had to do on my 386 due to stripped bolts, leaky windows/ports, extra piece/parts left in blind spots during its manufacturing. The list goes on; to include poor electrical fittings, inaccessable plumbing (like access to strainers), and poorly cut & fitted joinery. Even with the best surveyor, a lot of these things aren't discovered until something breaks or stops working. I agree with Don's comment, there aren't any "perfect" boats being built. It's a Hunter and a production boat that's put together in the shortest possible timeframe. However, the guys building these boats should have a certain standard & skill level than trying to seat fittings without using caulk, or running a bunch of screws off because he's in "a hurry". If I had the money I'd buy a Gozzard and be happy.
I've looked at lots of boat brands over...
years, especially when we shopped for our current Hunter. As a long time cabinet maker I tended to look at fit and finish of the materials used. IMHO Hunter has it all over other brands, even many of the so called custom boats. I cannot speak to Jeff's issue, but whenever I work on our boat I'm always impressed by Hunter's high quality manufacturing standards. Terry
years, especially when we shopped for our current Hunter. As a long time cabinet maker I tended to look at fit and finish of the materials used. IMHO Hunter has it all over other brands, even many of the so called custom boats. I cannot speak to Jeff's issue, but whenever I work on our boat I'm always impressed by Hunter's high quality manufacturing standards. Terry
workmanship and responsibility
Jeff, I can understand that you are disappointed with the obvious misalignment, especially since it it in plain sight. However; you have to accept some of the responsibility here. Didn't you examine the boat when it was delivered? Why did you accept delivery when there was a fault that obviously is very annoying to you? Are their other problems or are you obsessing over this one that doesn't really hurt anything other than your sense of symmetry? This seems to be mostly cosmetic. I don't see how it could really be a safety issue.
Jeff, I can understand that you are disappointed with the obvious misalignment, especially since it it in plain sight. However; you have to accept some of the responsibility here. Didn't you examine the boat when it was delivered? Why did you accept delivery when there was a fault that obviously is very annoying to you? Are their other problems or are you obsessing over this one that doesn't really hurt anything other than your sense of symmetry? This seems to be mostly cosmetic. I don't see how it could really be a safety issue.
Thanks Ron M,
You have provide ample examples that otherwise I would have to do to answer Don s/v requests. I can add some more but that wouldn't make Hunter's quality control looks any better. I like Hunter. I would give the boat overall score a "A"(for her money worth.) It just careless(or underpaid?) worker and quality control personal(if Hunter has one) not doing his job piss me off. Otherwise, how can Hunter not noticed that Jeffrey's boat ladder is so wrongly installed. *5
You have provide ample examples that otherwise I would have to do to answer Don s/v requests. I can add some more but that wouldn't make Hunter's quality control looks any better. I like Hunter. I would give the boat overall score a "A"(for her money worth.) It just careless(or underpaid?) worker and quality control personal(if Hunter has one) not doing his job piss me off. Otherwise, how can Hunter not noticed that Jeffrey's boat ladder is so wrongly installed. *5
Thank you all again ...
... and Don, yes mine is pretty much the same. As you can see in the photo you attached, the rubber base of the cover is marking/resting in the middle of the base seal channel, where as mine rests on the upper lip or just hangs in the air, ie, not at all. I'm gonna go with the remount and teak plugs as suggested. One more request for advice: what should I do (best repair/cover-up) with the holes left in the companion way? Sail more / be happy, Jeffrey
... and Don, yes mine is pretty much the same. As you can see in the photo you attached, the rubber base of the cover is marking/resting in the middle of the base seal channel, where as mine rests on the upper lip or just hangs in the air, ie, not at all. I'm gonna go with the remount and teak plugs as suggested. One more request for advice: what should I do (best repair/cover-up) with the holes left in the companion way? Sail more / be happy, Jeffrey
one option
Jeff one thing I might try would be those sticky decorative circle patches you sometimes see in hobby, paint or art stores - various sizes and colors, one of which might look good and would be easy to remove should you want to do something more permanent or find something better later. If you go the gelcoat route, you can buy a can from Hunter but it's expensive and may not match if the gel on the companionway has faded at all.
Jeff one thing I might try would be those sticky decorative circle patches you sometimes see in hobby, paint or art stores - various sizes and colors, one of which might look good and would be easy to remove should you want to do something more permanent or find something better later. If you go the gelcoat route, you can buy a can from Hunter but it's expensive and may not match if the gel on the companionway has faded at all.
Yes, I agree it looks like crap.
Just hang a sign by it that reads; "Custom built, the previous owner had one leg shorter than the other." I would not try to fix it as it looks it may be the ladders that is out of square.
Just hang a sign by it that reads; "Custom built, the previous owner had one leg shorter than the other." I would not try to fix it as it looks it may be the ladders that is out of square.
Maybe an idea
Jeffrey, this one may be a bit out there but an idea. What if you got a piece of starboard.. say 1/4 or even 1/2 inch by 3 inches by the width of your companionway. You could then unscrew your steps at the bulkhead and place the piece behind them and see how your cover and steps line up. If they do then you could remount the brackets to the starboard and the starboard to the bulkhead. I think some creativity here probably wouldnt be noticed and just might be a fix. Also less impact on your wallet. Just an idea Cheers
Jeffrey, this one may be a bit out there but an idea. What if you got a piece of starboard.. say 1/4 or even 1/2 inch by 3 inches by the width of your companionway. You could then unscrew your steps at the bulkhead and place the piece behind them and see how your cover and steps line up. If they do then you could remount the brackets to the starboard and the starboard to the bulkhead. I think some creativity here probably wouldnt be noticed and just might be a fix. Also less impact on your wallet. Just an idea Cheers
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