Am considering a Hunter 31(early to mid-eighties model). Want a good price. Like to have a clean boat with a very good engine. Where should I start looking since they are hard to find in this area? What should I be leary of? I want to do coastal cruising and occasionally spend a few days on board.I do not have enough time to go sailing on a weekly basis, more like once a month. I had a catalina 30 and it was a great boat but had a 5'3' draft. I neeed a shoal draft. Also, can a "kicker" outboard engine be attached to the stern? Certainly would appreciate any advice from all you sailers out there. Am thanking you in advance. Roy
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go for it
We bought a 1986 model hunter 31 and we are quite pleased, with ourselves as well as the boat. by that i mean that we looked at at least a dozen 31's and a dozen more 3ft.+ and 3ft.- the 31. We were patient, too. The boat has great qualities, but as any boat is a compromise, be aware you will spend $1000 within the first twelve months...i dont know what for,but you will A-Lure was our first boat with roller furling, hot water, pedestal steering. We had been 'roughing it' for years and years. The yanmar 2GM20F is strong and reliable, ONLY IF you change the mixing elbow every three years. The boat will stink until you buy peggy hall's book the overhang on the gelcoat at the stern is not protected by a rubrail, so be careful you will win some races, but not many unless you keepth bottom clean and use good paint the sheaves will crack and break and be expensive to replace, if you can pry up the blocks. you will never have to worry about the electrics you will have a good time good luck, joe
We bought a 1986 model hunter 31 and we are quite pleased, with ourselves as well as the boat. by that i mean that we looked at at least a dozen 31's and a dozen more 3ft.+ and 3ft.- the 31. We were patient, too. The boat has great qualities, but as any boat is a compromise, be aware you will spend $1000 within the first twelve months...i dont know what for,but you will A-Lure was our first boat with roller furling, hot water, pedestal steering. We had been 'roughing it' for years and years. The yanmar 2GM20F is strong and reliable, ONLY IF you change the mixing elbow every three years. The boat will stink until you buy peggy hall's book the overhang on the gelcoat at the stern is not protected by a rubrail, so be careful you will win some races, but not many unless you keepth bottom clean and use good paint the sheaves will crack and break and be expensive to replace, if you can pry up the blocks. you will never have to worry about the electrics you will have a good time good luck, joe
Compression post is the common problem.
Roy: The compression post is the most common problem with these boats. They were mfg from 1983-1987. The motors are very solid if they have been cared for. I have no idea why you would want an outboard for this boat. It can easily do 6+ kts. on a clean bottom and will only use about 3/4-1 gal/hr (18 gal. tank). If you get one that is in good shape you should expect to pay somewhere in the $24-30k range. You should be able to find a shoal keel version without too much problem. Some of the early boats had a an engine other than the Yanmar (I think). Our model has a 2 burner Origo stove/oven combo. There are some slight differences over the model years but mostly minor stuff.
Roy: The compression post is the most common problem with these boats. They were mfg from 1983-1987. The motors are very solid if they have been cared for. I have no idea why you would want an outboard for this boat. It can easily do 6+ kts. on a clean bottom and will only use about 3/4-1 gal/hr (18 gal. tank). If you get one that is in good shape you should expect to pay somewhere in the $24-30k range. You should be able to find a shoal keel version without too much problem. Some of the early boats had a an engine other than the Yanmar (I think). Our model has a 2 burner Origo stove/oven combo. There are some slight differences over the model years but mostly minor stuff.
I might help
Roy - Contact me off site. I may have some help for you. CFDickhut2@cs.com Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani h31
Roy - Contact me off site. I may have some help for you. CFDickhut2@cs.com Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani h31
Hunter 31
Roy, We are starting to look at a larger boat you can contact me off line at artfuldodgers@comcast.net
Roy, We are starting to look at a larger boat you can contact me off line at artfuldodgers@comcast.net
Gil C. - Wanderin' One
I got my '86 H31 in '96. Great boat. Very easy to single-hand. Two trips on the ICW from RI to FLA. When you are checking the boats, be sure to check the stainless chain-plate rods that screw into IRON plates in the cabin. My plates are rusting, but no problem so far. Also, to drain the bilge under the cabin sole insert to get rid of the stink, I drilled 4 1/4" holes in each lower corner of the bilge sump to drain the trapped water out. It helps a lot!!
I got my '86 H31 in '96. Great boat. Very easy to single-hand. Two trips on the ICW from RI to FLA. When you are checking the boats, be sure to check the stainless chain-plate rods that screw into IRON plates in the cabin. My plates are rusting, but no problem so far. Also, to drain the bilge under the cabin sole insert to get rid of the stink, I drilled 4 1/4" holes in each lower corner of the bilge sump to drain the trapped water out. It helps a lot!!
Kicker?
*oWhy would you put an outboard on the stern? It would take a pretty big one to push around a 10,000 lb boat.*o
*oWhy would you put an outboard on the stern? It would take a pretty big one to push around a 10,000 lb boat.*o
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