Soft spot on Hunter 420 deck

Feb 19, 2016
46
Beneteau 393 Kemah, TX
I am considering the purchase of a 2002 Hunter Passage 420. I have been told the boat has a soft spot (15" square) adjacent to the topside opening hatch above the aft cabin. I'd like to know if this is an unusual finding on the 420 or is this a known issue with these boats. Thanks in advance.
 

KD3PC

.
Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
not a known issue, but also not too unusual..it results from a water intrusion from nearby hardware not being fully sealed. Some had "user" installed hand rails (read toe stubbers) to discourage people walking on the hatch and such. Those often leak badly, as they were not installed properly to begin with.

Usually the soft spots are around the deck pass throughs, anchor well and front main hatch.

Depending on the yard it could be several hundred to $1K to repair - assuming that is all there is.

Survey??
 
Feb 19, 2016
46
Beneteau 393 Kemah, TX
Do not have a recent survey. Soft spot (described as "springy") is between the aft opening hatch and the hand rail. It starts about 4" outboard of the center hatch and ends about 4" inboard of the hand rail. It is roughly 36" x 12" in size. There does not appear to be visible damage in the cabin. I will see if I can find any mention of the soft spot in any maintenance literature. Thanks for your quick response.