We are about to take possession of a 1987 Hunter 34 which has been out of the (fresh) water since last year. It had been winterized in November and has not been de-winterized as of yet. We plan on sailing her about 100 miles on Lake Erie to her new home with in the next few weeks. Once home she will be in the water for about one month or two before we pull her again for winter. My questions are these: How hard is it to de-winterize a Hunter 34, and is there anything particular I should be aware of while doing so? Also would it be better to just leave some things winterized like the AC water heater, head and freshwater since we are only going to have her in for about a month or two? Also the hull is in great shape but could use a new coat of paint, even though it looks good now. Should I apply a fresh coat before she is put in for two months or should I wait until next spring? We are moving up from a 25 footer so this is going to be a pretty big jump, therefore any information or advise you can provide would be great. Thanks Al Shaffer
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Why winterize ?
No need to winterize in Florida. You bought a boat to sail, not to store. Priceline.com tickets between major cities are available for $99 to $150. Just a thought
Congratulations and happy sailing !
No need to winterize in Florida. You bought a boat to sail, not to store. Priceline.com tickets between major cities are available for $99 to $150. Just a thought
Congratulations and happy sailing !Why would you paint her?
Al: Why would you paint the boat? There are cleaners and conditioners to make the gel coat look like new. I have to agree, you bought her to sail. Sail her and use the boat until it's time to put her up. This will also tell you if you have any failing systems so you can plan on repairing them for next season. If you check out the archives there are plenty of articles on winterization. You need to take care of the fresh water side of the engine, the raw water side of the engine. The fresh water tanks, the holding tank and the bilge. Remove the batteries and depending on where you are storing her, you may need to remove the canvas and outside items that are going to be damaged in a blow or in the blizzards. Some owners are able to store their boat in inside storage, you may want to check this type of storage out.
Al: Why would you paint the boat? There are cleaners and conditioners to make the gel coat look like new. I have to agree, you bought her to sail. Sail her and use the boat until it's time to put her up. This will also tell you if you have any failing systems so you can plan on repairing them for next season. If you check out the archives there are plenty of articles on winterization. You need to take care of the fresh water side of the engine, the raw water side of the engine. The fresh water tanks, the holding tank and the bilge. Remove the batteries and depending on where you are storing her, you may need to remove the canvas and outside items that are going to be damaged in a blow or in the blizzards. Some owners are able to store their boat in inside storage, you may want to check this type of storage out.
I meant to say barrier coat, or anti fouling paint
Sorry about that, I did not mean the hull, above the waterline. It looks great! Thanks Again
Sorry about that, I did not mean the hull, above the waterline. It looks great! Thanks Again
Over here in Huron. . . .
we sail until the first of November. So I think it depends upon how many times you will use her before you haul. Personally I would use a little clorox and flush the water system so that you could use it. And it will force you to rewinterize, an experience that you will need and want. Other "dewinterizing" tasks I do in the water: check stuffing box with Yanmar running in gear, change oil and filter after warmed up, change air filter, check Racor, check anti-freeze. As for the bottom I would wait until Spring since we don't really get that much growth on Lake Erie. The H34 is a great boat, have fun!
we sail until the first of November. So I think it depends upon how many times you will use her before you haul. Personally I would use a little clorox and flush the water system so that you could use it. And it will force you to rewinterize, an experience that you will need and want. Other "dewinterizing" tasks I do in the water: check stuffing box with Yanmar running in gear, change oil and filter after warmed up, change air filter, check Racor, check anti-freeze. As for the bottom I would wait until Spring since we don't really get that much growth on Lake Erie. The H34 is a great boat, have fun!
stuffing box
when you put this boat in the water, if your bilge is filling thru the front, check your nut on the stuffing box and probably tighten one or two nothes to stop the water. That is where it runs to from the stuffing box. I have the identical boat. Other than that, I would change oil/filter and both fuel filters and have spares for the trip. the other stuff can wait. craig
when you put this boat in the water, if your bilge is filling thru the front, check your nut on the stuffing box and probably tighten one or two nothes to stop the water. That is where it runs to from the stuffing box. I have the identical boat. Other than that, I would change oil/filter and both fuel filters and have spares for the trip. the other stuff can wait. craig
34 winter
Winterizing your 34 is not that big a deal, so I would de-winterize before leaving for your home port - you will have to run the anti-freeze out of the engine and you probably want to change the oil before leaving anyway. The rest is to pump the antifreeze out of at least one of your water tanks, just for the convenience of having pressure water on board. You might want to check to see if the hot water tank was drained or was anti freeze put in it. If it is dry, it is a good idea to disconnect the supply line so that you don't put solution from the water tanks into the hot water tank - it would be no real problem, it just takes a long time to flush all that pink stuff out. The head can just be pumped into the holding tank. You have probably already run the engine, but if you hav'nt, make sure that the engine air intake is not covered( as the book recommends as part of the winterizing procedure). I have an '83 34 and and also went from a 25'. I'm sure you will like your "new boat"
Winterizing your 34 is not that big a deal, so I would de-winterize before leaving for your home port - you will have to run the anti-freeze out of the engine and you probably want to change the oil before leaving anyway. The rest is to pump the antifreeze out of at least one of your water tanks, just for the convenience of having pressure water on board. You might want to check to see if the hot water tank was drained or was anti freeze put in it. If it is dry, it is a good idea to disconnect the supply line so that you don't put solution from the water tanks into the hot water tank - it would be no real problem, it just takes a long time to flush all that pink stuff out. The head can just be pumped into the holding tank. You have probably already run the engine, but if you hav'nt, make sure that the engine air intake is not covered( as the book recommends as part of the winterizing procedure). I have an '83 34 and and also went from a 25'. I'm sure you will like your "new boat"
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