Hi Everyone! Am in process of upgrading to a larger boat. 1986 Hunter 31 caught my eye. Met with a broker who was less than knowledgeable about the boat. What is under the cockpit, under the starboard cockpit foot locker, and how does one get to it in an unmodified hunter? On the port side is a bunk, on top of a two pack of batteries and the engine transmission. What's on the other side of the wall?
Starboard Cockpit Locker- 1986 Hunter 31
- Thread starter LAWRENCEDULAC
- Start date
- Status
I have an 86 31, Lawrence, and have spent way too much time down in that locker. You can let yourself down in there, but it's a squeeze. The starboard locker contains the fuel filter, fuel tank, CNG tank, fresh water pump, and fridge compressor. It also has plumbing lines and control cables from the pedestal. To the rear, the starboard locker actually joins the aft locker. I think the stock setup had a single bat in the starboard locker, and 2 house bats behind the engine. I went with AGM 31s, which are larger than the stock 29s, so I elected to switch them, with the cranking bat behind the engine and the 2 house bats in the starboard locker. To offset some of the weight [the boat is decidedly starboard heavy with fuel tank, galley, head and bat all on one side], I put my Freedom 20 in the stowage area under the port aft berth. If I know which wall you mean, it separates the starboard locker from the aft berth.
Wufibugs, you certainly are a wealth of information! I opened the locker today while I was looking the boat over, peered into that hole and thought to myself, "I better not fall in... was the bottom of the locker cut out?" Broker had absolutely no clue.
The cockpit deck has cracks and is spongy and I was concerned about having to cut and get into there if I bought the boat. The other question I have is about the bulkhead. I attached a picture- what say you about it? Something look odd about it? Think I should call it a day, save the surveyor and run the other way? I noticed some gelcoat cracking at the foot of the mast along with screws not set in at a full 90 degrees.
Other than that- everything else is minor repair work and installation of modern electronics.
How do you like your boat? Is she as smooth and nimble as I think this one can be?
The cockpit deck has cracks and is spongy and I was concerned about having to cut and get into there if I bought the boat. The other question I have is about the bulkhead. I attached a picture- what say you about it? Something look odd about it? Think I should call it a day, save the surveyor and run the other way? I noticed some gelcoat cracking at the foot of the mast along with screws not set in at a full 90 degrees.
Other than that- everything else is minor repair work and installation of modern electronics.
How do you like your boat? Is she as smooth and nimble as I think this one can be?
Attachments
Lawrence:
If you cannot fix the issues with the cross member and compression post you need to figure about $4,000-10,000 for the repair. This is not for the faint at heart.
Hunter built a lot of these boats, so I would think about moving on unless the current owner is willing to assume the liability of this repair before you take possession.
These boats "typically" had an Origo alchol stove/oven (no propane/cng). The "PIT" on the port side has the water heater, exhaust muffler (built into the liner), water pump and fuel tank. If you have refrigeration on board, the compressor was usually located either in the pit or in the aft lazarette.
There are also some minor issues with the water tank under the aft berth. The lid can sometimes be a problem to seal if the original seal breaks. We had our glassed in with two inspection/clean outs.
These are really nice boats. The current price is probably around $20k-25k for a good one. Minor issues with some of the rudders. The compression post (as in your photos) are the most serious problem on the later models.
If you cannot fix the issues with the cross member and compression post you need to figure about $4,000-10,000 for the repair. This is not for the faint at heart.
Hunter built a lot of these boats, so I would think about moving on unless the current owner is willing to assume the liability of this repair before you take possession.
These boats "typically" had an Origo alchol stove/oven (no propane/cng). The "PIT" on the port side has the water heater, exhaust muffler (built into the liner), water pump and fuel tank. If you have refrigeration on board, the compressor was usually located either in the pit or in the aft lazarette.
There are also some minor issues with the water tank under the aft berth. The lid can sometimes be a problem to seal if the original seal breaks. We had our glassed in with two inspection/clean outs.
These are really nice boats. The current price is probably around $20k-25k for a good one. Minor issues with some of the rudders. The compression post (as in your photos) are the most serious problem on the later models.
Lawrence...
also take a look at the H31's bigger sister, the H34. For a few thousand more you get one heck of a boat with more amenities and more room. Similar issues, compression post being the major one. 1,200 built and lots of knowledge out there.
also take a look at the H31's bigger sister, the H34. For a few thousand more you get one heck of a boat with more amenities and more room. Similar issues, compression post being the major one. 1,200 built and lots of knowledge out there.
- Status