Restoring my 1978 33ft Hunter that Sank

  • Thread starter Neil - 1978 33ft Hunter
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Neil - 1978 33ft Hunter

Hi All, I'm 'over' the drama of my boat sinking after a bottom scrapping, and moving onto keeping her alive. I will document this post with photo's so that maybe we can all learn from my scenario. Short story: 02.15 my boat sank in the slip, was under for less than 20 hours, now safely floating again with 95% of the water pumped out. My plan to date 02.17 (5.30pm). Going there today straight after work to take everything I possibly can out of the boat. Tomorrow morning having two professionals come out and A. 'pickle' my yanmar to save it, and B. Remove out all the fouled fuel. My engine contractor seems positive that he will have the engine running tomorrow. After tomorrow, with engine working (no damage at all to topside of boat)...we plan to completely remove all items such as drawers, doors,...anything not part of the actual structure. Then put a commercial size (45pint) dehumidifier in the vessel to attempt to dry it out as much as possible. That's all I know to do...and all I've heard to do so far. Captains, I need help. ANY thoughts, opinions, experiences, referrals, whatever...please share. This will be a work in progress....and maybe...just maybe, I can come out with a *better boat then I started with. Fair winds....
 

Liam

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Apr 5, 2005
241
Beneteau 331 Santa Cruz
Neil

Well this is a heck of a way to get to know your new boat. But when it is over you will not only know your boat better than a lot of us who have been owners for years know our boats, but you will have some great stories to tell. For what you are going through I must say that you've got a really great attitude. I wish you all the best. Respectfully yours, Liam.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Neil, don't over look the benefit

of a good fan in one hatch and leave both hatches open. Might have to "tent" them to keep out the rain. Rinse out as much of the mud, salt, and grass as you can before you start to dry everything out. Anything of value that can be frozen will not mildew before you get a chance to clean it. Even your electrics will benefit from a good wash down and a quick dry with a heat gun. (don't scorch anything)All of the textiles should go to the cleaners as soon as posible. If the covers can be saved the foam can be replaced.
 
Jun 3, 2004
347
Hunter 30_74-83 Lake Lanier, GA
I'm pesimistic...

Rehabing the cabin and all the fittings should go realy well. You'll know your boat better than anyone when you're done. If it sank in salt or brackish water, I'm concerned the damage to the Yanmar has already begun when you raised her. Let's see what happens. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
 
Jul 17, 2005
586
Hunter 37.5 Bainbridge Island - West of Seattle
I assume you are in salt water.

so you will need to rinse out everything really well. Pay extra attention to the electronics. Hose them down, including their insides. Then dry them with a hair drier. You can't ruin them any worse than they are already. Usually they will come back up with little or no problems. Just don't power them up before they are really really dry, since even if they are tiny bit damp, they will short out, and then they will really be dead, for good. After they are dry, spray them with electronic contact spray to prevent rust. By the way, this is where marine rated electronics really comes in. Check all of your wiring and your breaker panel. Salt water may have seeped into the wiring's jackets. Watch out for the fuel line for your oven/stove. The injectors may clog, so clean them out well. Good luck, and happy sailing.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I worked for a Case Construction Equipment

dealer once in my neferious past and I knew just how good things had to be but the man I worked with also knew just how bad things could be and still work. So I never write something off because of a terrible event until even the parish priest gives it last rites.
 
Aug 2, 2005
374
pearson ariel grand rapids
One of the reasons

That I went with the boat I did was because EVERY boat I looked at had a few things that I wanted to change, the boat I went with actualy had the fewest, cost the least, and was the prettiest it was also full of water to past the waterline, but aside from needing a good cleaning was in solid shape. After a couple of weeks working on her, I actualy was pretty glad that the water had been in there because it gave me a reason to dig in and make her mine. Also, like you I didn't have a survey, just spent a couple days digging through and climbing into everything I could, even had a yard monkey try to sell me a dodger that should fit the boat, curiously matching side curtains were in the starboard locker. In short, this is a great opportunity to make any changes you want, start checking out the various boat designs on the net and see if any catch your fancy. I agree with Ross, most often electronics are not hurt by water if they are not turned on when immersed I often wash things like motherboards and radios, controller cards, and my cell phone accidentally sat in water for two days, still use it and still works just as annoyingly well as ever, the only thing you have to make sure of is that they are dry before repowering, rinse with fresh water and let them dry either on a heater vent or with a blow dryer. my cell phone I pulled the battery and put it on top of my monitor for a couple days Ken.
 
S

sailortonyb

I'm Optimistic

You probably should have had a mechanic handy as soon as the boat was raised, but, too late now, so lets go on from here. I only mentioned that because others in the future may learn from it. HAVE THE MECHANIC THERE AS SOON AS BOAT IS RAISED. I had a boat that sank on me once ( next door from you in Long Beach Harbor )and the mechanic came the next day. He did his thing, and the motor was just fine up until i sold the boat 2 years later. So dont despair nd keep your fingers crossed and i think you will be just fine . Anyway, in addition to all the suggestions you will get here, try to find a library, if possible. There are a ton of good books on repairing , building, and maintaining fiberglass boats. Stick to the tried and true methods and be leary of the quick fixes and radical new ideas. Good Luck and buy the giant size Captain Morgans Coconut Rum. Straight or with coke or with ice craeam and pinapple juice blended or........
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Franklin, Gulfport is west of Biloxi and

east of New Orleans. Got a map?
 
N

Neil - 1978 33ft Hunter

I'm in Gulfport FL, a City inside of St. Pete

Hi All, Will have pictures up tomorrow. I am located in Saint Petersburg Florida. I say Gulfport as that is the City Muncipal Marina where I'm (was, have to be out by Sunday) slipped.
 
Jun 3, 2004
347
Hunter 30_74-83 Lake Lanier, GA
My pesimism...

Stems from a few engines I've delt with that have sank in salt water. Usualy you can get the engine up and running. A few years later you'll start to have corrosion on things you'ld never expect. Like the steel external oil line, the coupler between the engine and trans, or the zinc bolts that mount the engine to the boat. remember none of the hardware is stainless, that costs too much on a production basis and sometimes isn't strong enough. Pat
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Salt is incredibly

had to get rid ofon anything. Boiling hot water is the best wash down that you can do. I was shooting crabs on the reef in the Philippines and got drenched by a wave. I took my revolver back to the barrack and rinsed it with hot water took it all apart and rinsed it again. Dried it carefully, oiled it and within a week it was showing rust. Lots and lots of hot water is the only answer.
 
G

gr8_2_av8

electronics

In the past when my cell phones have swam, I soak them for a few hours in rubbing alcohol, then dry best as possible and let sit for a day. Works great. Dave
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Franklin,

it is Swim, swam , swum. Now wot's so haad about that?;)
 
B

Bob

RINSE, RINSE ,RINSE !!

Soapy water washing and rinseing with a lot of dish detergent such as Dawn or Joy. Eventually you will get it all off. Corrosion doesnt continue from 'memory'. If you remove the salt, and keep it dry, the corrosion will stop. Take your time and stay optimistic.
 
Oct 25, 2005
735
Catalina 30 Banderas Bay, Mexico
Don't forget ...

Take that mickey mouse knotmeter transducer and kill it, torture it, and kill it again ... :) Replace it with a real one.
 
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