I am looking into buying a 77 Hunter 30'. The boat looks solid, clean and in great shape in general. I did the taping test on the hull and it sounds solid with no signs of delamination. The deck also passed the jump test, with absolutely no signs of flexing. The only thing that worries me is a few stress cracks on the deck around the mast. Any advice? Any experience with similar boats?
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My 1980 27' had the same
Also a couple of the 30's and 33's of the same vintage i've seen around my marina have the same thing. Is the step depressed slightly? My core had gotten soggy, and coupled with the fact that core didn't fill the ends of the T (there was hollow space at the highest points), I'm not surprised that there were stress cracks. There is a lot of pressure there. I'm not sure of how much of a safety issue the cracks and the core were but I recored mine with glass. Not to difficult or time consuming. Best advice I can give is have a surveyor check it out. Edited to add - the glass was pretty thick at my step, probably 3/8" to 1/2". Manny
Also a couple of the 30's and 33's of the same vintage i've seen around my marina have the same thing. Is the step depressed slightly? My core had gotten soggy, and coupled with the fact that core didn't fill the ends of the T (there was hollow space at the highest points), I'm not surprised that there were stress cracks. There is a lot of pressure there. I'm not sure of how much of a safety issue the cracks and the core were but I recored mine with glass. Not to difficult or time consuming. Best advice I can give is have a surveyor check it out. Edited to add - the glass was pretty thick at my step, probably 3/8" to 1/2". Manny
Compression Post
Some of the early Hunter models have a problem with the compression posts deteriorating which would cause cracks in the area you have noted. The fiberglass actually deflects downward as the support settles causing the stress cracks. Plenty in the archives about this. (check the h-31, 1984-1987 era catagory, good photo article)
Some of the early Hunter models have a problem with the compression posts deteriorating which would cause cracks in the area you have noted. The fiberglass actually deflects downward as the support settles causing the stress cracks. Plenty in the archives about this. (check the h-31, 1984-1987 era catagory, good photo article)
1977 27' same thing
I had the same problem with my 27. Removed the "T" area around the mast and replaced.
I had the same problem with my 27. Removed the "T" area around the mast and replaced.
1984 - H31 - Compression Post
The compression post on my 84 was compromised by water intrusion through the sleeve where the wiring runs - this rotted out the post. End result was same stress cracks as you found. I am replacing the post this spring. The deck still is very strong - but I recommend you check out the post for any similar problems. John
The compression post on my 84 was compromised by water intrusion through the sleeve where the wiring runs - this rotted out the post. End result was same stress cracks as you found. I am replacing the post this spring. The deck still is very strong - but I recommend you check out the post for any similar problems. John
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