boat needs work...looking for some HOW TO advice

[FancyPants]

I've got a 1981 Hunter 30'. She's been taken care of fairly well, but I need to replace the deck bolts(the gaskets, and some washers are corroding and causing leaks). I also need to replace the standing rigging's chain plates and bolts because of some leaks. The last major thing is my mast step is leaking, but just through the pvc pipe the wiring runs through up the mast. Any help is greatly appreciated for I hope this will be the first of many sailboats I try to fix up.

[sailingdog]

It would help if you were a bit more specific on which deck bolts need replacing. Are you talking about the hull-deck join, the bolts holding down deck hardware, or something else?

As for the mast, is the mast deck or keel stepped. A deck stepped mast will generally have fewer problems with leaking.

[FancyPants]

It's the hull-deck joint bolts, it's mainly the center bolts on both port and starboard. The mast is deck stepped.

[sailingdog]

You're probably going to want to contact a Hunter 30 owner's group or Hunter themselves to get specific information about re-doing the hull-deck join. If those bolts are leaking, it would probably be wise to remove all the bolts, the sealant, and then clean the join and apply new sealant and new bolts. It is a pretty big job to do this...

Replacing the chainplates and inspecting the deck and bulkheads for rot and delamination is also a pretty big job. You should probably replace the standing rigging at this time as well—since it is probably 27 years old.

The mast step, by comparison, is a relatively simple task. Make sure you remove the deck mast step, and check the deck for delamination and core rot.

Finally, when replacing bolts, do properly pot any that go through the cored sections of the deck.

[BreakingWind2]

Head to this site http://hunterowners.com/ and search the posts.

Good informative site for us hunter owners.

[petegingras]

Fancy,

Sounds like you're getting lots of direction. I did a '77 27' Catalina in 1999/2000, bolts chainplates, port gaskets (general UV damage). In addition to the tech advice, bedding compound is muy importante'. Ask around about bedding compounds and their correct applicaions, cleaning off the old compound is key, solvent will go a long way in attaining clean surefaces.

When bedding the bolts/chainplates you're better off to let the compounds set and dry completely then tighten all bolts. If you tighten before it sets and dries the compound is squeezed out and water leaks in.

[kwaltersmi]

Run to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy of Don Casey's "This Old Boat". It's an outstanding resource for sailboat repairs and maintainence.