We just had a survey done on a 1984 H31 that we liked alot. The surveyorshowed me where there was some delamination around the chain plates, mast step, and cockpit sole. The area around the chain plates was raised up indicating over adjustment to the tie rods. The cover over the steering box was also not a tight fit. Can anyone give me an indication as to what kind of price range we are talking about for some of these repairs?
Rebedding '84 H31
- Thread starter cjfj
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You could be looking at a few thousand to several thousand. If you have delamination around the mast base you probably have issues with the cross member & compression post (surveyor probably does not know about these issues). You would need to take the covering off the compression post to determine if this a problem.
I am not sure about the issue with the chain plates. It is a Rod that connects to the inner liner. If there is a raised area around those chain plates it is more likey that the water has got into the core and it has swelled up.
I am not sure what you are referring to about "The cover over the steering box".
I think you should find another boat.
I am not sure about the issue with the chain plates. It is a Rod that connects to the inner liner. If there is a raised area around those chain plates it is more likey that the water has got into the core and it has swelled up.
I am not sure what you are referring to about "The cover over the steering box".
I think you should find another boat.
We have already decided to keep looking, I was wondering if these types of issues are somthing that is going to be found on any boat of this age? We really like the series of the mid 80's Hunter but are now a bit gun shy. Any thoughts.
Thanks for the advise
Thanks for the advise
I think you will find a many H'31 & H'34 that are in very good to excellent condition. You should find a nice 31 in the $22k-$25k range and 34 in the $25k-$30k range. These issues should have been addressed or these boats never had these issues.
"Classic" Plastic Boats
Most of us have "classic" plastic boats. We benefit from the fact that fiberglass boats can last so long, and retain all of their shape and strength. This makes for a robust used boat market with prices around 10% to 20% of the price for an equivalent new boat. The reason you should use a surveyor when buying a classic boat is that despite the incredible durability of fiberglass, there are a few issues that make a few boats costly to refit.
Water intrusion and the resulting rot or corrosion are is by far the leading issue with all boats of this age. When we bought Lady Lillie, a '77 h27, we could see that a PO had rebedded the lifeline stanchions, due no doubt to water intrusion, and rotting of the wood lamination in the deck under them. The surveyor noted moisture (although no deformation) of the mast step. So the second winter (after two summers of sailing) we saw that the step was deforming around the compression post, and interior frames, so we took her to a good fiberglass shop, and had the mast step rebuilt at a cost of around $1,100.
6 years later, I rebedded two of our portlights which were leaking because of the deterioration of the wood in the cabin walls. We will replace four more portlights this winter. Because I am doing this work myself, and rebedding, rather than replacing the portlights, the cost is less than $100 (one boat unit) per window.
So we will have spent less than $1,500 repairing the effects of water on wood in 11 summers of sailing Lady Lillie. I am confident that you can (with the help of a good surveyor) find a Hunter 31 or similar boat that will serve you as well!
As another note, we have averaged about $1,400 per year for upgrades (a bimini, a canvas shelter, leading lines aft, electronics), repairs and replacements (new sails, new standing rigging, a new engine) on Lady Lillie over 11 years. I would plan around $2,100 for a 31 footer in similar condition, based on the costs increasing as the cube of the length.
Good luck in your search!
Most of us have "classic" plastic boats. We benefit from the fact that fiberglass boats can last so long, and retain all of their shape and strength. This makes for a robust used boat market with prices around 10% to 20% of the price for an equivalent new boat. The reason you should use a surveyor when buying a classic boat is that despite the incredible durability of fiberglass, there are a few issues that make a few boats costly to refit.
Water intrusion and the resulting rot or corrosion are is by far the leading issue with all boats of this age. When we bought Lady Lillie, a '77 h27, we could see that a PO had rebedded the lifeline stanchions, due no doubt to water intrusion, and rotting of the wood lamination in the deck under them. The surveyor noted moisture (although no deformation) of the mast step. So the second winter (after two summers of sailing) we saw that the step was deforming around the compression post, and interior frames, so we took her to a good fiberglass shop, and had the mast step rebuilt at a cost of around $1,100.
6 years later, I rebedded two of our portlights which were leaking because of the deterioration of the wood in the cabin walls. We will replace four more portlights this winter. Because I am doing this work myself, and rebedding, rather than replacing the portlights, the cost is less than $100 (one boat unit) per window.
So we will have spent less than $1,500 repairing the effects of water on wood in 11 summers of sailing Lady Lillie. I am confident that you can (with the help of a good surveyor) find a Hunter 31 or similar boat that will serve you as well!
As another note, we have averaged about $1,400 per year for upgrades (a bimini, a canvas shelter, leading lines aft, electronics), repairs and replacements (new sails, new standing rigging, a new engine) on Lady Lillie over 11 years. I would plan around $2,100 for a 31 footer in similar condition, based on the costs increasing as the cube of the length.
Good luck in your search!
Thanks for all of the replies, As I said we decided to pass on this one and the current owner has re listed it at about the price the survey estimated the fair market value to be. Maybe I can offer about 6k less and get the work done?????:naughty: then again I'd rather go sailing
Jim
Jim
original asking was 21,5. Then he came down to 18k looking for a quicker sale. survey gave FMV at 15k after addressing issues with the deck and keel. Owner does need to sell as they are being relocated and cannot take the boat with them
Yes, that is probably a good market price for it before the repairs. They may be holding on to it for a while unless someone wants to take this project on themselves as a fix-r-upper!
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