Hello, I am new to this forum and recently purchased a Hunter 30. I bought the boat (77 in Key Largo) sight unseen (except for photos)for a very good price. I planned to paint the bottom and head out in less than a week as the boat yard was not very customer-friendly. Buyer beware! In a short time, I discovered that the stock 13hp diesel was DOA (previous owner claimed it ran). A yard customer told me that the boat had to be towed in with a stuck exhaust valve. To make matters worse, the mast step was severely corroded (sistered/encapuslated it with FRP--more compression strenght than steel), the whole boat stunk like diesel and dozens of little things needed to be fixed. Can I get out of this mess? Don't sweat the small stuff! The diesel, trawler battery, fuel tank and wood rot had to come out. It took two days of struggle with oil mess, corroded fitting, stuck shaft coupler and stripped wood fasteners, and only 10 minutes with a crane to lift the whole mess out. Wow, there's a huge amount of space down there! And now the unthinkable--aft double berth a la 81 Ericson 28+ with a 10-15hp 25" extra longshaft on a 20hp rated adjustable transom pitch bracket -- centered very, very low to go the distance to the water. I also pulled the prop/shaft, glassed the cavities, moved the boarding ladder starboard and routed the cockpit drains to the exhaust throughhull (bracket low enough to cover drain). It will splash in late January. Let me what you think.
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Lots Of Those Modifications
There are Catalina 30's, Islander 33's, etc. with outboards. You may have to strengthen the transom with some plywood inside, but many people have done it. Tanks the resale, of course and limits your range. It's also pretty hard to keep the prop in the water in any seas. Backing can be a chore since the prop wash is right over the rudder. You have to use an external tank since you dare not use the built in one. If you can live with those limitations, it's a reasonable option. RD
There are Catalina 30's, Islander 33's, etc. with outboards. You may have to strengthen the transom with some plywood inside, but many people have done it. Tanks the resale, of course and limits your range. It's also pretty hard to keep the prop in the water in any seas. Backing can be a chore since the prop wash is right over the rudder. You have to use an external tank since you dare not use the built in one. If you can live with those limitations, it's a reasonable option. RD
check here
I think if you check here on the boats for sail parts page there is a 1 cyl for sale for about $1500 might be worth looking into ----- FOR SALE: Yanmar 1GM for sale. Seller located at Bear, DE, placed 12/28/2003, by Chuck Fort. Work phone: 302-584-3938 Home phone: Description of Yanmar 1GM for sale: Used 1GM engine with transmission for sale. New injector in 2002. New water pump, thermostat and fuel filter housing in 2003. Bought larger engine at the Annapolis Sail Show. I will be exchanging the engines this winter. Lower price! General condition Good Price $1500
I think if you check here on the boats for sail parts page there is a 1 cyl for sale for about $1500 might be worth looking into ----- FOR SALE: Yanmar 1GM for sale. Seller located at Bear, DE, placed 12/28/2003, by Chuck Fort. Work phone: 302-584-3938 Home phone: Description of Yanmar 1GM for sale: Used 1GM engine with transmission for sale. New injector in 2002. New water pump, thermostat and fuel filter housing in 2003. Bought larger engine at the Annapolis Sail Show. I will be exchanging the engines this winter. Lower price! General condition Good Price $1500
If it doesn't work out, I'll put it back
Thanks, RD. Your well informed assessment of the downside of this OB conversion is very helpful. I had to struggle a great deal with the purist ideas in my head from previous boat, car, cycle, etc. restorations before cutting the diesel loose. I'm not that concerned about tanking the resale value, reduced range or possible high seas prop lift as I plan to use the boat for coastal cruising in the Keys, and to the Dry Tortugas. It might be a little easier for me as I started in small boats and like to go as far as I can without the iron sail. It's going to be a tough design/carpentry job, but I'm hoping that the creature comforts of an aft double berth and additional storage space for gear will be a good trade off -- not to mention the easy maintenance and lower replacement cost of OB power. Equally important, it might be a tiny bit faster without all the propulsion gear drag. BC
Thanks, RD. Your well informed assessment of the downside of this OB conversion is very helpful. I had to struggle a great deal with the purist ideas in my head from previous boat, car, cycle, etc. restorations before cutting the diesel loose. I'm not that concerned about tanking the resale value, reduced range or possible high seas prop lift as I plan to use the boat for coastal cruising in the Keys, and to the Dry Tortugas. It might be a little easier for me as I started in small boats and like to go as far as I can without the iron sail. It's going to be a tough design/carpentry job, but I'm hoping that the creature comforts of an aft double berth and additional storage space for gear will be a good trade off -- not to mention the easy maintenance and lower replacement cost of OB power. Equally important, it might be a tiny bit faster without all the propulsion gear drag. BC
I did it
I put a 9.9 four stroke on the back of a '79 27' this past summer. It works great, except for when I got onto Lake Lanier the Friday after Thanksgiving. 35+ head winds and it was all the little engine that could, couldn't. However, the reliability of a new enging for most other circumstances more than makes up for an inboard. Besides, the original engine for this boat is a Renault ($$$$$$$$$$$$$) single cylinder with 8 h.p. I reinforced the stern with angled aluminium at the attachment points. Used a swivel bracked to raise and lower when needed. Loads of additional room below, too.
I put a 9.9 four stroke on the back of a '79 27' this past summer. It works great, except for when I got onto Lake Lanier the Friday after Thanksgiving. 35+ head winds and it was all the little engine that could, couldn't. However, the reliability of a new enging for most other circumstances more than makes up for an inboard. Besides, the original engine for this boat is a Renault ($$$$$$$$$$$$$) single cylinder with 8 h.p. I reinforced the stern with angled aluminium at the attachment points. Used a swivel bracked to raise and lower when needed. Loads of additional room below, too.
Hunter Budget!
Go for it. It's done all the time. People have sailed all over with no motors. May not work as well as the inboard but you'll be out there.
Go for it. It's done all the time. People have sailed all over with no motors. May not work as well as the inboard but you'll be out there.
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