Questions on a Hunter Legend 35

[AllBetsGo]

Hi! In the process of purchasing a 1987 Hunter Legend 35. I have read all the owner reviews and those by professionals and this seems to be the right boat for me, That said I do have some questions that I am hoping current owners would be kind enough to consider. The rudder on this boat is waterlogged and obviously delaminating. No exterior signs visible, but the moisture meter shows it is saturated, and tapping on the rudder gives a hollow sound about 6" from the top to 20" down. Has anyone attempted a repair and how did it work out? Conversely, how difficult is it to remove the rudder and install a replacement?
This boat appears to have the original furler (Selden Furlex?) although it has been moved out of the anchor locker and is about 12" off the deck now. Furling lines have been rerouted through stanchion guides. Does anyone have or remember the original furler and how did/does it perform?
The standing rigging is original and I think it should be replaced. Has anyone done that and what did it cost?
Last question. How hard is it to replace the Sheaves on the boom? I would appreciate any advice you could give me.

 

[Stretch]

Hunterowners poster Elmax did a rebuild on his rudder, check out his work on his 35.5. http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/inside-the-helm-of-35-5.169794/&highlight=elmax

The original may have been the Hood 810 LD below deck furler, with the control line through the port deck, see 148 in this video.

and this parts link. https://www.pompanette.com/BigSummi...83C989D433E01F4F8525762400165B22?OpenDocument
I still have my original on my boat.

Your standing rigging would be north of 4k to replace.

 

[walmsleyc]

Hi

I've got the same boat from the same year.

Rudder: Mine is wet too. I have two permanent drain holes with removable plugs and o-rings (one at the top and one at the bottom). Every fall, after haul out, the rudder drips from the lower drain hole. I do plan on dropping the rudder in some future year and cutting it open and doing a rebuild (some good videos in the web on how to do that). My plan would be to have it ties to some lines, and then disconnect the quadrant, and such as it's being hauled, and let it "fall"out. Re-installing ... little trickier, would need to do it will suspended ~2' with the crane at launch. The link from Stretch is interesting. The Legend 35 rudder is a little different looking that the 35.5 one pictured. The water that comes out of my rudder is rust stained. That means the SS or some internal structure is likely rusting, which is clearly not good.

As noted, these boats came with the Hood Seafurl 810LD. Mine still works reasonably well, but I'd prefer a non-LineDrive(single line) variant.

Don't do anything with you standing rigging unless you think there is an issue. I'm in fresh water, and check the rigging every year, and don't see anything that concerns me except where the furler tube bearing rubs on the forestay. It has polished a little bit of metal from the wire where it rubs.

The sheaved on Isomat booms and masts are generally easy to remove and replace. They are typically plastic sheaves, and have a SS rod. The sheaves (and rod) generally just lift out in the opposite direction to the load. This is true for the top of the mast, headsail sheaves, and ends of the boom. The base of mast sheaves have a rod that comes out sideways.

Rigrite carries spare parts for all of these things.

Great boat. They sail very nicely.

Chris

 

[AllBetsGo]

Stretch, Thanks for the information! It helps to allay some of our fears! We have been nervous ninnies and vacillating over the purchase of this boat. The price seems reasonable, but the boat also needs a lot. The sails are original and not in good shape. The stove is the original CNG one and CNG is no where to be found in the greater Baltimore area. The standing rig is original (not sure if that is a crucial immediate replacement). The cushions were not on the boat and we were told "they need replacing". However, the interior seems to be dry. We visited after a heavy rainstorm twice and neither saw nor felt any wet spots, not even from the overhead deck lights. The wood is in decent shape. The engine and compartment are really clean, no rust anywhere and the motor pan was recently rebuilt. The deck seems solid and has a good appearance, as does the hull. Basically, we are trying to factor the costs of repairs/upgrades against a reasonable price. Thanks again!

 

[AllBetsGo]

Chris, Thank you, thank you for the additional info. The broker had called their repair facility just to get an idea of what it would take to replace the sheaves and their off the cuff decision was that it probably required drilling out the axle holding the sheaves replacing the sheaves and installing a new axle...sounded daunting. I am feeling that the issues I see on the boat are not a deal breaker so long as I can purchase at a reasonable price

 

[walmsleyc]

I converted to Propane a few years ago because I could no longer source CNG easily. I kept the stove, but added everything else for propane. About a $1000 job, doing it myself.

As I said, Isomat sheaves are all meant to be end user replaceable. In fact, the sheaves and bearing rods will fall out if you remove the lines and flip the boom in some other orientation. They are in fact held in by the load of the line and by gravity. No tools, drills, required. Why are you thinking of replacing them? They are generally plastic, and I've replaced a few that were chipped on the edges. Don't pay for someone to do that until you tried yourself.

Cheers

 

[AllBetsGo]

Thanks Chris,
Most of the sheaves on the boom are chipped and brken. To the point where as much as an inch of the curved lip is broken off. I am afraid those will chew up line.
Interesting about the stove. I thought that the burner orifices were different for propane versus CNG. Did you need to modify the burners or did you find they work OK without modification? I thought I would need to replace the stove or at least the burners. Jack

 

[walmsleyc]

Yes, I had to replace the orifices. The company that used to sell the stoves sent me a bunch of alternatives, which have worked fine.

Chris

 

[Parrott]

I have a 1992 Hunter 37.5 with the original CNG Stove we get Fuel at Rock Hall MD, Herrington Harbor. and when at the dock we have a Electric hot plate we use to save on fuel. two season only one bottle so far. And great Boat for the money lots of room and sail very well.

 

[AllBetsGo]

Hi Parrot,
I am a little confused. I know there is a Herrington Harbor North and South on the western shore of the bay, but I don't know of a Herrington Harbour in Rock Hall. Can you give a little more information? Thanks, Jack

 

[richk]

Traded my '88 H35 last year for newer MH37. What is the name on yours? Maybe it was mine! (We live in Annapolis.)
1. Regarding CNG, we exchanged tank at Back Creek Cafe & Boat Supply in Jabin's yard...7310 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403 bjyy.com (410) 267-6780
2. Bought the 35 in '98. Rudder was a replacement one. As another poster said, I drilled 2 holes in bottom when she was on the hard, let it drain over winter then replugged in spring before launch. You can buy replacement rudder from Foss http://www.boatrudder.com/
3. Had the Hood RF continuous line; replaced it with Furlex, above deck, no problems with that rig.
4. Loved the boat. It was light and fast. Great cruiser for Chesapeake. Went everywhere from C&D to Piankatank.

 

[Mark48]

The Hood 810 from my perspective is a "PITA" as it always released when you needed a reef. Definitely just a furler. I was able to get the conversion kit to a single line version, much better. Perhaps someone can clarify but you may be able to find CNG under a LNG search. As to the rudder, mine was rebuilt by the dealer where I purchased, I also drill a couple of holes in the bottom to drain every winter. I have no issues since the rebuild.

 

[AllBetsGo]

Traded my '88 H35 last year for newer MH37. What is the name on yours? Maybe it was mine! (We live in Annapolis.)
1. Regarding CNG, we exchanged tank at Back Creek Cafe & Boat Supply in Jabin's yard...7310 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403 bjyy.com (410) 267-6780
2. Bought the 35 in '98. Rudder was a replacement one. As another poster said, I drilled 2 holes in bottom when she was on the hard, let it drain over winter then replugged in spring before launch. You can buy replacement rudder from Foss http://www.boatrudder.com/
3. Had the Hood RF continuous line; replaced it with Furlex, above deck, no problems with that rig.
4. Loved the boat. It was light and fast. Great cruiser for Chesapeake. Went everywhere from C&D to Piankatank.

 

[AllBetsGo]

Hi Rick,
The name of the boat is Omocha. It is at Tidewater Marina in Havre de Grace. I am pretty sure it is not yours as I believe the owner is a woman from NJ. I am not the owner yet, it is still under consideration...pretty much till after New Year. It does however, have a Selden furlex above deck furler. Hmmm, I wonder. I have read good things about the H35's sailing ability, etc. Thanks for the info on the CNG fuel. I emailed them and they still do the exchanges. A bit out of the way as I live in Fallston, but if a tank can last a couple of weeks then the drive would be worth it. Also, good to know that you liked the furlex.
Regards, Jack

 

[AllBetsGo]

Mark, Thanks for the info. The rudder doesn't have any obvious signs of delaminating. It just gave off a hollow sound when I tapped in the center versus closer to the edge. It did appear to be leaking water from the bottom somewhere. And it was "wet" as confirmed by a moisture meter. It seems like a lot of people drill and let the rudder dry over winter. In doing some research I came across an article written by a rudder manufacturer who advised people to do the same thing. He said all rudders are wet. He explained that the area where the rudder stock exits the rudder is where the water gets in. The fiberglass, foam and the metal that make up the rudder all expand at different rates so it is impossible to maintain a seal where the rudder post exits the rudder. Thanks again to everybody for your kindness in sharing info. Hope Santa finds your house tonite! Too those who don't do the Santa thing, I hope your holiday is a joyous one.

 

[AllBetsGo]

I should add that the writer of the article on rudders, stated that the problem with the water in a rudder is that it leads to corrosion. He explained that there are usually 1-3 flat stainless steel plates welded to the stainless steel rudder stock. The process of welding creates a slightly different version of stainless steel at the weld which is more prone to corrosion especially in a saltwater situation. He said usually the sign of corrosion is brown, rust-like water exiting the rudder. If the welds fail the rudder may fall off , but usually it remains on the post and simply rotates ineffectively on the post.

 

[ELMAX]

I chose this sailing, even if outside the European aesthetic, because the basic construction is solid. Now in Europe the taste is changing, and the boats seem more and more my hunter, this means that in 1995 you were more ahead of us. The solutions of the construction site are brilliant, and the new boats, German and French, Italian approach and these solutions, ie, the windows, the width of the hull, the stern with lockers, and the beach for swimming.
It was easy to repair it, and now I have a great boat, I think that the first race we did we won the cup.
In my album I put the work done maybe you can help. For me, the hunter and a great boat. Best wishes for your choiceMy rudder works very well.
Perhaps, I could avoid this job, but I had the boat in dry for a long time, and I wanted to take advantage.

 

[AllBetsGo]

Elmax,
That's interesting. In the USA the Hunter style is often referred to as "Euro style". The implication is that the walk through transom, built in swim platform and large darkened skylights, and other elements were a trend that started in Europe! Glad to see you won the cup! Good sailing. Regards, Jack

 

[richk]

Hi Rick,
The name of the boat is Omocha. It is at Tidewater Marina in Havre de Grace. I am pretty sure it is not yours as I believe the owner is a woman from NJ. I am not the owner yet, it is still under consideration...pretty much till after New Year. It does however, have a Selden furlex above deck furler. Hmmm, I wonder. I have read good things about the H35's sailing ability, etc. Thanks for the info on the CNG fuel. I emailed them and they still do the exchanges. A bit out of the way as I live in Fallston, but if a tank can last a couple of weeks then the drive would be worth it. Also, good to know that you liked the furlex.
Regards, Jack

Jack, it does sound suspicious about the furlex. What's the hull number? The current owner maybe only has the boat a short while? CNG usually lasted us a whole season, we were out around one weekend a month during summer so didn't use it as heavily as it could be. There's a map of CNG refill stations at http://www.cngnow.com/stations/Pages/information.aspx. You'd need an adapter kit for your tank. At least one HOW patron found one, search the archives for "CNG fill adapter- Where to buy"

 

[ELMAX]

Thanks for the clarification. The boats which was sailing in the years 90/95 Italian and French, were very different from the hunter of the same year.