Weak Points on Hunter Boats

[yachtorion]

Hello,

I'm looking at Ranger's (245 and 265) and also Horizon 26s as a possible alternative.

Can anyone suggest any common weaknesses to look out for on these boats please?

I've also asked on the Hunter Association Forums.

Thanks,

James

 

[maby]

We had a 265 and were very pleased with it taking into account its price and age. They had a short production run with sub-standard GRP but most of those were recalled and fixed - I couldn't tell you the dates but they are published and you should check before buying.

Most of them were delivered as basic hulls for finishing by the owner, so there can be significant variations in build quality - you really have to view each as an individual case.

 

[blackbeard]

I think the GRP problem (actually I think mostly a gel coat problem) was in the late-ish 90's I think. Majority of boats will not be affected. A surveyor should be well up to speed on this.
Mostly they are pretty well bullet proof, generally solid fibreglass layup. I haven't heard of many problems apart from the above.
As already noted, quality of finish, when they have been completed by owner, can vary. Also home completed ones can develop window leaks, but then, so can most other boats.
245 crams a lot of accommodation in for the size of boat, well designed from this point of view unless you want to add something the designer hadn't thought of!
245 (not sure about the others) could be fin keel or twin keel, inboard or outboard (fitted into cockpit locker) engines. Most were twin keels and inboard.

 

[[3889]]

I had a 272 and it was a solid boat. Houdini hatch leaked badly and I replaced it with a Lewmar; the only real issue in 5 years of ownership.

 

[pete]

Had a Factory finished Hunter27 for 12 years. Houdini hatch leaked slightly between alloy frame and glass until we removed the glass and re seated it with new mastic. Side windows started to leak slightly, they are screwed on to fibreglass cabin sides with self tapping screws !! and the holes had enlarged over the years. We replaced the side windows and used stainless bolts with nuts and washers inside.
Tough lively boats but I could never let go of the tiller for more than a few seconds before she was off somewhere else

 

[Seajet]

There were photo's on here a while ago of a Horizon - I think 26 but not certain now - where the cabin sole had parted company from the rest of the interior moulding, it was said to be a snag with a small batch ?

Sailed a 245, very roomy but the outboard lifting into the cockpit locker didn't work too well, the previous owner had fitted an electric bilge pump in there and as it's so far offset she only really could use the engine when heeling to port, if there was any wind.

That boat had a Plan B outboard on the transom; the engine leg was standard and did not reach the water properly to ensure cooling water intake.

 

[Impaler]

I had a bilge keel 245 for years with no hull problems other than a leaky window. Biggest bugbear was air getting into the raw water intake after sailing in lumpy water. This caused the engine overheat alarm to come in due to no flow. I fixed this by fitting a T piece with a bleed valve on the outlet of the water strainer. I guess this happens to other boats too. Nice boat, easy to sail, not terribly fast or close to the wind but always felt safe and sound.

 

[Lucky Duck]

We owned the 1994 Southampton Boat 265 which subsequently was found to suffer from high mositure content which was claimed to be due to thie faulty batch of gel coat mentioned above. This was attended to when the boat was sold in 2001.

Accomodation was impressive for a boat of its size, the only real draw back being that the self tacking jib made it a bit underpowered in the lighter stuff.

We did talk to Hunter about buying a new 245 with the outboard well rather than an inboard but they were of the strong view that the outboard wasn't a very practical option for the boat.

 

[JimC]

I've owned a Hunter Horizon 23 and (currently) a Hunter Channel 31: both good, solid & well-engineered boats that sail well. As already stated, the self-tacking jibs fitted as standard are limited in area as they can't have any overlap. They are very convenient though when short or single-handed. You can also fit a conventionally-sheeted genoa of about 110% which I have on my boat as an alternative to the S/T jib. Finally Hunter offer on all the cruising boats a kevlar luff cruising chute which they call a scooper. These are made by Hyde and I believe they can still supply for the older models.

 

[jakeroyd]

Got a 245 made in 2000.
The only real problems we have had are leaking windows , but only last year , so they have lasted 13 years or so before starting.
Only other issue was a water leak through one of the chainplate bolts where it passes though the fibreglass , a bit of sealant cured it.
As others have said the self tacking jib leaves it a bit underpowered in light conditions. I have the optional cruising chute.
However it's a boon most of the time.
No issues at all with my Yanmar inboard ,gearbox and shaft. It's all accessible as well.
Like others have said I wiuld not fancy the outboard version. This must leave you very short of locker space.
We have 2" memory foam toppers on the aft berths , this leaves me JUST enough room to tun over in bed (under the cockpit floor). I am normal bloke sized , no problem with length.
Water tank developed a leak due to chafing last year but I forgave it that , again 13 years is not too bad.

Just one observation. Such good use is made of the internal volume that it means fitting things like pumps , heaters , chargers etc. is harder than you think.

Never really worried about it's structural strength whilst we have been sailing , however I do sometime worry (groundless probably) about the rig in heavy weather when i've lots of backstay on and I can see how far i have bent the mast.

 

[bigmac91]

Just bought a 272 last weekend and up to now the only issue has been leaking windows, this has left some dark staining on the nav station woodwork. Any good tips on how to remove the staining or is it a replacement job .
Thanks

 

[JimC]

The water will have got under the varnish so you'll have to strip off all the varnish in the affected area and dry the wood thoroughly. Oxalic acid should help to bleach out the darkening of the wood and you could perhaps 'blend in' any remaining discolouration using a woodstain before re-varnishing.

 

[bigmac91]

Thanks Jim , I will give it a go

Les

 

[Shearwater]

I have a 245. Excellent with no issues. It is a tad tight below decks - I do wish I had something a little larger, I keep falling over things and stowage is somewhat limited. A complaint is the inability to judge the amount of fuel remaining, other than Dead Reckoning. But for the price I paid (20,000 euros odd), I have no complaints and if I suffered a total loss would buy another.

 

[MissMindyP]

Was your boat the first one....from the boat show?