Hunter 25.5 Yacht Needs a New Home (FREE?)

I need some advice, suggestions, etc.

Last year I ended up with an old-ish Hunter 25.5 sailboat that a guy leaving
the area (bankrupt) could not take with him. It is docked at a private home in
N. Ft. Myers and the monthly cost is very low.

It is a rare in-board diesel model. The engine is newer than the boat which is not
terrible but needs a dumpster to get rid of the guy's bedding, cushions, etc.
Some of the original engine parts are still on the boat. The guy showed me that the
newer engine runs but the fuel tank is not fully connected and the linkages seem
sketchy. A vice-grips is the gear shifter.

I grabbed it for a guy here (in Chicago) who was almost homeless. I was doing him
a "favor". He agreed to come there, clean it, live on it & make a future. I would visit
from time to time. As it turned out he is not a boater and decided it was not for him.
I don't have as much time and need to find the boat a new home (FREE?).

Also, at the moment, the current house/dock is not yacht-friendly. The people are not
boaters, and have huge fences protecting their very small kids from the canal. There is
no power, water, and they really don't like people there. It is cheap. I have considered
finding a partner with a spare dock that would trade for a better situation.

Do you have any suggestions on who I could deed it to ? One idea I had with a guy there,
who is sort of a broker, is to give it to him and split any sale amount. It might bring $8,000
at the right time and place. I see them listed at $12,000. For a quick sale $4,000 may work
or even less. FREE may be an option.

I would also consider working with someone who takes it and puts it in a place where it
does more good. It has never left that dock under my ownership. Any suggestions, welcomed.

Tags: Dock, FREE, Hunter

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Boating on May 14, 2010 at 7:12am

I like the free option if you go that route. :-) I don't know how to sail yet, but I'm wanting to learn. Sounds like this one needs a little work before it could actually go out. I'm not a diesel mechanic, but I think I could probably read some engine plans, and get the fuel line hooked up correctly and maybe put in a new gear shifter, besides a vice-grips.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Fleming on May 14, 2010 at 10:12am

Susan,

Thanks for the reply. Another option for the engine situation is to add a small outboard on a bracket. Those
are handy in case the diesel does not work. Also, on a small boat the diesel can heat up the cabin which
may not be desirable in Florida.

Adding the bracket is mostly drilling holes. The smaller outboards have a gas tank on the engine. That keeps
things simple. The boat has an external rudder and tiller, which is also simple.

Would you consider taking the yacht and working it into a small partnership or sailing club ? As with anything,
someone would have to do some of the organizing. You would get to learn to sail and also commission a
yacht.

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Permalink Reply by Boating on May 14, 2010 at 10:21am

Yes, I would consider this, as it sounds like a great deal. :-) I agree about the small outboard engine. Truly a diesel engine can make such a sickening stench/smell when running that it wouldn't be a bad idea to use something else. :-) Thank you, I love to work on things and also I'll learn to sail. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Jim Fleming on May 14, 2010 at 10:53am

Note, ugly things like insurance and liability always pop up. Learning to sail will also teach you a
lot about yacht ownership, maintenance, etc. Someone or some LLC has to be responsible
especially off-shore. Tied to the dock is less risky.

Hauling it out would be another option. It may have to be towed to St. James City ? That size Hunter
is sometimes put on a trailer but one would have to be located. It would take a large vehicle to tow it.
There may also be some sailing clubs in the area with the hoist needed to pop it in and out when used.
The further one keeps it up-river the easier it is to maintain in the water.

As for partnerships or clubs, 4 people works out well. There has to be some expectation of the
annual costs, upgrades, projects, etc. When some major event happens, it is handy to have 4
people or groups to call on for crew, etc. One person can easily sail it, but it is safer with 2 or 3.
There has to be a way for people to enter or leave the club or partnership. Details, details :-)

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Permalink Reply by Boating on May 14, 2010 at 11:01am

All very good points. I like the 4 people/group/club idea. I will think on this tonight and write up some ideas. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Jim Fleming on May 14, 2010 at 11:14am

Sounds like we may have a new club in the making.

CapeMyers@gmail.com
http://CapeMyers.com

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Permalink Reply by Boating on May 14, 2010 at 11:18am

It does, doesn't it. :-) This will be fun. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Boating on May 14, 2010 at 11:18am

Email: smhilliard@gmail.com and I'll grab yours to email tonight with ideas. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Tim Carlson on May 16, 2010 at 3:19pm

Free is good. do you have any pics? Tim.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Fleming on May 16, 2010 at 3:27pm

I have many examples of sisterships to show colors, etc. I regret misplacing the shots of the one in
N. Ft. Myers. The interior needs TLC mostly to clean out the previous bachelor's "stuff".

Here is a similar 25.5 sailing. It shows the Pop-Top open.
http://vimeo.com/10908100