Well bought a 1980 Hunter 30 today

[JohnCle]

I might be a little over my head. This is my first cruiser. I put a down payment down and bought it subject to survey and 500 hold back for when the engine starts (which Im not sure it will now because of something I found today) . The boat has been sitting on the hard for 2 years. Looks good but recently the drains in the cockpit backed up and well water got in and destroyed the teak floor. No biggie really I had them put in the deal they will replace the salon floor. So that is fine. So I am in there today and I know water came in through the floor by the helm. There is a panel in front of the helm (a big square) the cockpit filled well water came in the boat onto the quarter berth in the port stern section. The water is pumped out but today I opened the hatch under the quarter berth and I see the water pump in about an inch of water (mostly frozen still) so I figure I have to get the water out of there immediately. I wonder if that pump is going to be shot now. or if I get it dry and it is fine. Hard to say.

Also.. I looked in every cabinet and hold and I couldnt find the batteries. I know the boat has been sitting for 2 years. Those batteries IF they are in there are probably toast.

I dont have a manual the one I DID find is old and the page where I think the batteries are is illegible. (Super I know)

So does anyone know how I get to the batteries? is it through the quarter berth? Or do I unscrew that big 4'x4' piece of decking in the cockpit in front of the helm?

What size batteries are they? What should I replace them with?

Hell should I even be replacing them. This whole sale was subject to a survey. so Im going to schedule that here shortly.

Is there any documentation on how to get the engine ready for spring? I wont do that yet because it is going to snow yet again this coming week.

Any help woudl be awesome.

Here is a pic of the quarter deck bilge under that bed. ( removed the bed and brought it home. It was just wet.. not moldy not dirty. I think it JUST happened this last thaw 2 weeks ago.

so I guess those are the questions really.

1. Anyone have a good copy of the manual.
2. That water pump on in the quarter deck bilge, should I drive out an hour drive right now and go sponge out all the water in there? (and break the ice too)?
Is that pump going to be shot? Can it be saved?
3. How do you get to the batteries. I havent tried the panel in the quarterdeck bed area. That might be it or I might have to unscrew a 4'x4' panel in the cockpit to get at the batteries?

4. IF the batteries arent there what size should I get?

Thanks for any and all information.

 

[Charlie98117]

Welcome John, sounds like you bought yourself a project. There's lots of info here, you just gotta look around. Look under The Boat Info tab and Owner Modifications tab. Not familiar with your boat but there is a lot of experience around if you search the forums. The manual is here http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_downloads&Itemid=287&brand=2&id=23&model=30_74-83&page=list
Looks like the battery is under the cockpit panel.

 

[mz4wheeler]

Brace yourself.

The survey is going to find a lot wrong with the boat, and if you think you can handle the time/energy/cost involved, and if the cost is right, go for it. That's you. On the other hand, your insurance company will expect to insure a sound boat (in all respects). A good surveyor will find all that is wrong with a boat, which may lead to the insurance company refusing to insure the boat.

In my case, Pemco gave me 60 days to re-core the port side of my deck (due to a good survey).

 

[KD3PC]

If there are no batteries aboard, it is doubtful that the pump is going to run...so it will not self destruct

the mattress is toast, trash it, it will never be the same again.

This is going to be a very tough project. Best of luck

 

[kito]

The batteries in my 79 H30 is in the engine compartment on a shelf above the fuel tank. In a 79, it only has access thru the small removal door in the aft quarter berth. The 79's don't have a access panel in the cockpit. Open yours up. If there are batteries and it's been sitting for 2 years uncharged I doubt they are any good especially if they are not the sealed type. I got 2 6 volts from Sam's Club for my house batteries and will pick up a 12v just for engine starting.

 

[Dave Groshong]

Here's a link to our page for the manual, free to download:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...id=287&brand=2&id=23&model=30_74-83&page=list

There are 316 owners of that boat registered here, so you're in some pretty good company, here's a link to the h30 information page, and the parts pages of our site:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&Itemid=248&task=3&kb=1&model=23&brand=Hunter

http://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/model.php?m=30 (1980s)

http://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/index.php

 

[braol]

Another great resource, if you weren't aware, is the Cherubini Hunter section of this forum. Your boat is a John Cherubini-designed boat and that forum has LOTS of information. (I have a 27' Cherubini boat.)

One thing going for you is that an old Hunter boat is a SOLID boat. Most people spend their project time on systems, but rarely structural issues. Cockpit drains easily clog, so your water situation is not a big deal...aside from the clean-up. Obviously the boat has just been sitting there for a while but the fact that it was on the hard is a good thing because it's the saltwater that causes problems.

The 500 for engine work, if needed, was a good idea because that is the real variable. Any car battery would work in a pinch if you're just looking to attempt an engine start. Try to get theowner to be there for the engine start...if only just to show you any tricks.

Really, as long as the bottom is decent, you have a VHF radio, the engine works, and the rig isn't falling apart you should have a pretty solid boat and a list of projects for the rest of your life!!! A Hunter 30 is a good boat. Just don't overpay in your enthusiasm...especially for a boat that needs work.

 

[Capt jgw]

Don't mess with anything till after the survey. You don't really own it yet. Pump out the water is ok, the owner or broker should have done that anyway. Consider the batteries to be disposable. If you read Mainsail's threads here, you'll find that some folks are lucky to get two years worth when they are charging them.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I'm with Capt jgw, you need to back off a little and try to maintain your objectivity prior to the survey. How you gonna negotiate once the broker knows you already bought new batteries etc for "your" boat. What would it take on the survey to make you walk away ? My batteries were just low on water and oldish, the seller replaced for $600 prior to closing.
Those "no biggies" can add up fast, if you REALLY want and think they'll repair the cabin sole make them do it BEFORE closing. The "cheap" teak and holly veneer plywood is $300 a sheet, and depending on the substructure, labor is extensive.
Nobody can guess what's wrong with a non-running engine, the seller loses $600 if it's toast ? That could be a good deal for him.