Storing Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

Ron20324 · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Storing Hunter Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

If that's all the support you had under the boat, I'm not surprised it cracked like that. I once looked at an O222 for sale. The broker had never seen the boat, but showed me the storage pictures. It had been stored on two horizontal 8x8 beams, so the actual support surface was very little. Now in the water, in the cockpit where the coamings met the cabin, there were cracks on each side- obviously from not being supported properly and the stern drooped down. The first putty-patch attempt did not stop the crack, and it was again cracked. I called the broker and suggested he look at it and change the asking price- and good luck if he could even sell it.

Gail R · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Storing Hunter Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

Wow. No support, no cover, no wonder that happened. Most people in these parts (Maine) put covers (tarp, canvas, or shrink wrap) on their boats to protect them from the elements. A very small minority have access to heated indoor storage, yet most all our boats emerge from their winter cocoons in good shape. This includes Hunters.

Gail R · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Storing Hunter Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

Cracks or no cracks, I would not store our boat through the winter with no support and no cover. Keep in mind that repeated freeze/thaw cycles so common in winter can cause moisture to intrude into microscopic cracks, and also into deck and shroud fittings. Add a few more freeze/thaw cycles with resulting expansion/contraction of that moisture and viola! There you have expanded cracks and other unmitigated doom.

While heated indoor storage is the ideal solution, it is not practical for most folks because it is extremely rare and expensive.

If you care about your boat, build a proper frame and cover to protect it during the winter. I believe MaineSail has posted a rather nice one.

Koichi · Oct 2, 2009

The weight,

Man, do you have any idea how much added weight accumulated snow is putting on that hull? I would venture to say there was more accumulated snow on the boat before you took that photo. Like the others had stated, inadequate support, plus the added weight from accumulated snow, are the cause of your problem!

Richard Bryer · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Storing Hunter Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

Little bit touchy aren't you wundrbar? What about the rest of us with bigger boats who for sure dont store them in "heated garages"- even in Canada? We are not getting cracks like that. You suggesting they build only small boats poorly?

Rob Hessenius · Oct 2, 2009

I would say there is a lot more going on besides the weight of the snow and freeze cycles and lack of support. I have seen many boats stored exactly as that one was and had no issues. Looks like it should go to the chop shop or make a nice nautical flower bed.

kenkindy1 · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Storing Hunter Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

Wow that is terrible. I believe the trailer is a stock Hunter trailer sold with the 170. I've also read about the cracking problems on the 170. I've not seen anything like this though. Have you contacted Hunter regarding warranty claims?

Napa Ed · Oct 2, 2009

ACP Hulls

wundrbar said:
Now that winter is setting in, this is a reminder to Hunter owners to store you boat in a heated garage to make sure it doesn't develop huge, mysterious cracks like mine did last winter. Here are some pictures of what can happen:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/p.eisenschmid/CanonEPP070204?authkey=Gv1sRgCL3Zp-H_tP-cAw

I think this may only apply to ACP hull construction. Can't imagine the cost for a 40 foot boat stored inside.

http://www.huntermarine.com/ACP/ACPIndex.html

kenkindy1 · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Storing Hunter Sailboats- IMPORTANT TIP

What is the age of this boat?

Joe · Oct 2, 2009

You should have stored it upside down. Those cracks look like someone trying to break a board over their knee. There must be a winter storage disclaimer if Hunter is selling those boats in Canada.

Maine Sail · Oct 2, 2009

wundrbar said:
The problem isn't with cradling or tarps. Just do a search in these forums on the word "cracks" and you will see dozens of other Hunter owners who have had the same experience. The problem is defective materials used in the manufacturing of this boat.

The problem, as I see it, is a plastic non-fiberglass hull filled with foam. Foam will expand and contract differently than does the plastic. Add to that the sun coming up in the morning, hitting the hull and warming it quickly. Perhaps the plastic shrinks faster than the foam and in that case it is a balloon waiting to pop..

On the next boat I'd try and stick with fiberglass as opposed to plastic. Boston Whaler also foam fills and I've yet to see even one spit open but they are made of real fiberglass not just an un-reinforced plastic..

Sorry to hear about your problem...

Scott B · Oct 2, 2009

I think there's more to this than one isolated incident of storage in the snow

Hunter 170 Hull Problems

stress cracks

170 Cracked Hull

Trying something different

kenn · Oct 2, 2009

Ouch. I've heard great things about how nicely those small Hunters perform... had no idea they crack like that. Has Hunter since gone to a more durable, temperature-tolerant material?

Sandpipers have an over-built solid fiberglass hull. A bit of balsa core in the cockpit and deck areas, but none in the hull. Tough, forgiving, easy to repair. I think I'll go outside and give it a hug.

(And yes we cover her every winter. A $200 motorboat cover has worked perfectly)

JerryA · Oct 2, 2009

Some of us are lucky

My 2005 H170 never had any cracks. However, I did store it inside in the winter. I had read the abundant warnings about avoiding any sudden temperature changes or temperature differentials on the hull. They are pretty little boats, but do require a bit more knowledge regarding their care & feeding. Hunter probably should have used a different material that was more forgiving to the average boater. Fast little fun boat though!

JerryA

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