What have I gotten myself into?

Sail123 · Dec 23, 2011

Good looking boat, from this distance.

Never been sailing before?

Never sailed, and purchased a 33' sailboat? Last time that was done was Noah's Ark I believe.

If you have no experience, you are shooting in the dark.

Fatherly advice, if the funds are there, donate it to a charity and take the full amount you paid for the boat as a tax deduction, that is one possibility.

If you are stuck with her, make the best of it.

You need to wear respirators of you are dealing with mold issues while you clean her up. An industrial ozone generator would be on my list. Kills mold you would never find in hiding places you do not see.

Enroll in a sailing class ASAP, before someone gets hurt. That is a big sailboat, and a list of hazards is as long as your arms.

Learn to sail on something a lot smaller, say a 12' sailboat with one sail. On a small sailboat, you get the feeling for what does what, and if you get over your head, on a small lake, the most that is likely to happen is you walk it off the beach into deeper water and try it again. That will happen a dozen or so times.

Learning to sail, on a 33 foot sailboat, a boat that has problems to boot, is asking for a disaster.

Promise yourself, you will not sail on that boat, or any large boat, without a competent crew that knows how to sail. One buddy from the marina that acts like he knows what he is doing, may be another problem.

Good luck. Nice looking boat.

geehaw · Dec 23, 2011

Well you will read on here stories of many who have done what you did. Gary's point has merit,but it has been done other ways successfully too. I did what you have done 2 years ago and been teaching myself. Mine is only 25' only second year. My boat was ready to sail though. I went from scaring the sh** out of myself to feeling pretty confident. Almost put the sails into the water twice. They do pop right back up!!! And second to last time out beat 20 knot winds flying full main and 120 Genoa. Sailed 40 miles like that and the time of my life. I hope you didn't pay a lot for that boat. Don Casey's books are pretty good and there are some great peopl here for maintenance advice here!!!! Bissel carpet cleaners work wonders. My V-Berth looked worse then yours. But now almost looks new. Took a few hours of going over it and over it. But it did come clean. Pet odor cleaner works wonders also. Keep your sails out of the sun as much as posible. If they have always been stored out in the open they may be shot. Use non marine stores when you can. Many things can be bought at hardware stores. Garage sails near coastal areas can be great for bargains. Life jackets, fenders, anchors ect.. Even though my boat was ready to sail it still needed a lot of things. Boats are money pits. Launch fees, docking fees, registration fees, for me travel fees (live 380 miles from where I sail.) to name a few. Financial problems may not allow me to sail next season, but do I regret buying the boat? NOOO . Greg

Dave D · Dec 23, 2011

First of, congratulations! This will be a life (relationship?) changing experience like no other

Secondly, some suggestions:
-Sailing class, lots of research

-Since you bought the boat without one, perhaps get a survey done so you know the extent of the deficiencies, rather than waiting for them to rear their ugly heads.

-Poke around the marina, find out about sailing clubs, see if you can find an experienced captain that would walk your boat with you and would consider taking her out with you ONCE IT IS ASCERTAINED THAT SHE'S SAFE AND YOU HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT ABOARD!

- Check out your local Power Squadron

- Get charts of your local waters and learn to use them

-Dare I say it? Insurance?

Stu Jackson · Dec 23, 2011

Congratulations. I have a friend who did just what you did with a Hunter 34, 1981. Here's what I suggested to him:

1.. Join forums like this one, and read a lot. Don Casey's "This Old Boat", even the first edition used, is a good buy. "Sailing for Dummies" wouldn't hurt either.

2. Take a sailing lesson or two, on smaller boats with the same kind of systems, then take a lesson on YOUR boat with the instructor (once you have her seaworthy as suggested).

3. Make a plan: not everything has a high priority, but given your list you can only do one or two things at a time anyway. Keep the list and check off what you've done, 'cuz the list WILL get bigger, but you need a record of your accomplishments, too. Put the list on the computer in a word processing program or in a spreadsheet. It will really help.

4. www.boatsafe.com is a good start for learning.

5. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=102541

This is a wonderful little community here, glad you found us, the registrants here are very well versed in helping folks out.

Don't get overwhelmed, most of us have "been there, done that" so know what you're facing.

The more you do yourselves, the more you'll learn about your boat. Don't take any ONE person's answer as THE answer. Ask three sailors, you'll get four or five replies!

YOU'RE the ones that have to make the decisions for YOUR boat. SAFETY first, but the more you know about how things work, the safer you'll be compared to someone with the same boat who "outsourced" all his boat work.

Good luck, looking forward to your continuing saga.

PS - when you get around to asking around your marina, make sure it's a contact with someone who uses his or her boat; dock sitter boats usually have someone who claims he knows, but usually doesn't!

That's why a lesson or two, then one on YOUR boat with an instructor or friend will come in very handy.

duality · Dec 23, 2011

Keep Going!!!

I did the same thing 10 years ago, i bough a derelict 76 hunter 30 for $4000. I spent my spare time the first year doing exactly what your boat needs. i changed the yellow and orange fomica, the admiral made new cushion covers, applied new wall carpet, tons of cleaning, new head and holding tank, alot of buffing. we sailed the boat for a year and someone offered 9k and we sold it. i just saw the boat listed here for 13k. it hasnt changed from the improvements we made!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...er&&hosturl=sailboatsales&&ywo=sailboatsales&

also, this boat is easy to work on, many items avail on the cheap from ebay. you would be able to rewire the 110 in a day with a good basic electric book.

enjoy,
mike

Ed Schenck · Dec 23, 2011

Hey, welcome aboard! I don't even know Mike and like him already. A keen eye for the right boat. As you can see <=== over there I also have a 1979 Cherubini. Been a long time since we have seen the original plaid upholstery around here. There is not a question that you can ask that won't be answered here on SBO. Bunch of good guys and gals, lots of H33 owners with tons of experience. I had some Sunfish and Laser experience when I bought my first sailboat, my Hunter 37-Cutter. I took one US Sailing course. All the rest DIY. Take it slow, be smart and careful.

P.S. just reread that DIY part. Sounds like I didn't need or have help. Wrong! Most of what I know about my boat I learned here. I was here on HOW before I bought her. And the learning curve was advanced by sailing with experts. Like on a delivery crew to the Bahamas steering on watch alone at 0200 in the Gulf Stream when I thought the next wave would break over my head. I always want those guys(who read this stuff) to know how much I appreciate their experience and help.

Don12364 · Dec 23, 2011

On a Personal Note.

Some people like to make their first dive from the highest board in the pool. Many bob up smiling and whooping for joy. The remainder plummet straight to the bottom, smash their heads and end up as hospital cases.
Either way life is always exciting!

Other people prefer to start on the lower boards and, as their confidence and knowledge grows, escalate to the high board in gentle stages.
I guess you and Mike are one of each of the above types. Either decide to see it through and help with all your might - or not as the case may be. His first love is now with the new boat. It happens to us all.

If you can't stand it the solution might be more obvious than you thought.
Good luck and a merry Christmas.

seadaddler · Dec 23, 2011

Merry Xmas

You will enjoy your boat soon after all your hard work so keep going and lots of help here is great place to learn.
Most of us have learned a lot here and even helping hands.
Nick

navigator97 · Dec 23, 2011

I would second Dave's suggestion about checking into the U S Power Squadron (about half are sail boaters). They have about 13 different courses covering all aspects of boating including extensive Navigation courses, Sail, Weather, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Cruising, Seamanship, etc. They can be found on www.usps.org (no, that not the post Office - they are usps.com). It's all like eating an elephant - one bite at a time. This will be a great forum to get advice on all your sailboat questions.

Richard Bryer · Dec 23, 2011

Check out the local sailing clubs- ones with good racing programs. Join with a crew membership and crew on everything you can. Racers are always looking for eager reliable strong crew. You will learn a lot from experienced skippers and you will find them quite willing to help a keen crew member.

On fixing the boat- fix the critical safety issues first, the cosmetic later. Don't put the new hull liner in first. Read this forum, it is the source of a huge amount of good advice

Stephen Trapani · Dec 23, 2011

Your post brought back memories. I bought the exact same boat on the cheap. Late that night I felt horrible. The boat was on the hard and I decided to sleep in it. The portlights seemed to all leak (I hadn't closed them all the way). The v-berth where I was sleeping smelled like cat urine (probably an otter). The long list of things needing repair kept running through my head. I couldn't remember why I bought the boat. I searched in vain for the number of the guy I bought it from to call him and ask him if I could have my money back. I called home on the verge of tears.

The next morning things didn't seem so bad. Since then I have had much fun with the boat, fixed up many things, still working on things but using the boat too. Now I think of my boat as having a charmed life. Every problem turns out good. So here is some of the advice you asked for:

-Don't rush the fixes.
-Experts are invaluable. You need them badly. Take them all with a grain of salt too.
-Use this forum for Cherubini questions and 'Ask All Sailors' for questions that apply to all sailboats, but have local help too.
-When you ask for help ask about one problem at a time.
-You bought a great boat.

bugaloo · Dec 23, 2011

Hello and welcome, I did the same thing and am so glad I did, When I bought my 33 I also bought a book, I had lot's of boat experience but no sailing experience. I left Clearwarter Fl and everyone at the marina wished me well but no one wanted to go!!! Sailed to key west and hung out for a few days and then headed up the east coast to NC. Fell in love, Have made the trip now 3 times and am falling deeper in love. The first thing I would fix would be the ac electrical problem, it sounds like you have some bare wiring and need some gfi breakers. Ac will kill and also create massive corrosion problems. The people on here have been super about answering questions and lot's of the time you only have to read and not ask. These hunter owners love their boats and will gladly help. Take your time and fix the major problems first and don't be afraid of the boat when it get's use to you it will almost sail itself.

Stu Jackson · Dec 23, 2011

GopherIT said:
Quick question about the AC circuit breaker. It is a dual breaker attached with one switch. It is a Airpax and I could not find a replica anywhere. Is it two 30 amp circuits or 2 15 amp circuits? The boat appears to be wired for 30 amps. Why a double breaker on the AC circuit? I couldn't find anyting about the circuit board online for a 1979 Cherubini. Any ideas?

This might be a case of where the suggestion earlier to start a new topic comes in.

A 30A inlet has three wires for A.C. power: black (hot) white (neutral) and green (ground). A two pole breaker switches BOTH the hot and neutral. Sounds like that's what you have.

Best book for you to buy: Nigel Calder's Boatowners Manual for Mechanical and Electrical Systems, or some other electrical system book you can understand.

You might want to root around here, too: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html "Electrical '101'"

Ed Schenck · Dec 23, 2011

Here is a link to a PDF which includes wiring and plumbing diagrams for your boat. It is not easy to read but a good reference to ask questions about:
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/images/kb/pdf/302.pdf .
The originals were 11x14 and in color. Ten years ago I wrote to Hunter and they mailed me the full size diagrams. But the color was lost in the copying.

bugaloo · Dec 23, 2011

Don Casey has a good book on wiring, ( sailboat electrics simplified) and also one I use daily in my profession by Charley Wing ( Boatowner's Illustrated Hand book of Wiring) witch cover's all basic ABYC standards for marine wiring. Both can be purchased at amazon.com cheap. I am a member of ABYC and will be glad to help you any way I can with their basic standards. if you take the breaker to an electrical supply co they will match it up with one that will fit right in place.

Nelsonhow · Dec 23, 2011

The bad news is that you jumped in without a survey and without basic knowledge. The good news is you bought an older Hunter Cherubini and found this web site.

If you go slow you'll learn and as you go you Should be OK. I would however suggest that you might invest in a survey before you get in to deep. A very wet deck or an engine that needs to be replaced or a severely bad mast is a real deal breaker. Just about anything else will responds to creative thinking and elbow grease.

The good thing about the old Hunters is that they respond to elbow grease and that the systems are pretty simple and the hull is bullet proof.

I agree that you might get the Don Casey books they are great.

Start with a good cleaning especially the bilges and the lockers with dawn dish detergent to cut the grease and then a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria. You might try to put the dawn in and then take a short sail or motor around a bit and then pump it out. Then do the same with the bleach solution. A hanger wire will help to clean out the limber holes between the sections under the floor. (You may not be able to get them all.)

A bissel green machine works wonders.

Pump out the holding tanks and clean it out well. Look at this web under the head mistress for suggestions on how. But I would guess that given the age of the boat the waste hoses should be replaced. You don't have to do it right away but understand if the hoses and let the smell through you'll never get all the small out. But a good cleaning will still make a big improvement until you can.

If you're a little handy even if you've never worked on a boat before , aren't afraid of work or dirt you can do 90% to the items yourself.

After you've cleaned the boat (and this is no easy task) make a list of things that you think need to be done. Do it on a computer or on index cards. Once you have the list order it with safety things first , Important systems next, easier life things and nice to have things. You have to put the items in each section in some order with your estimated cost. Then start on the top. Do the safety things first but if there are other things on the list that is easy to do and cheap do it. But don't start another project until you complete the open items. If you have to many in process at once you'll get discouraged.

We're out here and have been over our heads once or twice. If you need help CALL OUT. A fellow sailor never fails to help out.

Finally, relax and have fun.....beer or spirits (after work and never while sailing) and a sense of humor also help.

WELCOME TO OUR WET AND SOMETIME BUMPY WORLD !!!

jorgefife · Dec 23, 2011

Welcome to the Hunter 33 Club!
I too bought a 33(1982) that had come out during Ike and came to rest 300 feet away against some apartments
There was a gash 15 feet long, 2 inches deep along the starboard side, staunchions were ripped apart, and lots of water inside
I didn't even know what side was: the boat looked horrible, had no bow rail, no stern rail, mast was resting on top of boat, no shrouds, no sails
First thing I did was dry the boat out and close companionway
Then I removed the smelly carpets and put foam insulation and covered the whole boat, including V berth, with aromatic cedar panels: I poaid $ 3.00 per board, tongue in groove, 4inches wid x 8 feet long
I had to put in furring strips and press them against both sides, using liquid nail; the rest was easy
All that effort cost me about $ 75. 00 ( yes, seventy five dollars)
I removed the wood inside and copied and replicated all the wood where the drawers are, starboard side, was about $ 50.00 in total
I found a scrapyard with a similar boat, and got what I needed
But do a little bit at a time: I must have spent $ 1,000.00 in total, but have been offered $ 15,000.00 for the boat
Did I tell you what I paid for the boat? One thousand dillars
It will be 2 years now that I have her, and no money can pay for what I have done, it has been a labour of love
The comments about" sell the boat and get a tax relief" are not applicable: you have a simple choice: either buy for a little money and enjoy the work, or pay a lot and get no enjoyment for the work ahead
I am not Rockefeller, I'm the other feller, so I have no regrets.
Have I had problems?
First time out, lost control and hit a sand bank, had to be rescued
Best $125.00 I ever invested was with Boat USA membership: one towing will set you back $400.00
I can send pictures if you want of what I did, but whatever you do, let the good people on this forum (all of them) assist you and you cannot go wrong
Heck, I'm portuguese, we discovered half the world, and I didn't know a thing about sailing!
So there is hope for you
Happy sailing, we await with bated breath your news
Jorge Fife

What have I gotten myself into?

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