Just purchased 80's 27ft hunter to sail Apostle Islands

[TurboTim]

Been a power boater most my life but fell in love with Apostle Islands and purchased land up there so now want to get into the sailing life. I purchased a 1980 27ft hunter on ebay for $2500. Just trailered it back to minneapolis to do some work on it. She seems very nice and has a newer beta marine engine with 200hrs. I'm very excited to do work on it and was thinking of installing an autopilot and maybe get a dodger or some kind of full enclosure. Any other input on anything that could make my experience more enjoyable?

[Pete7]

Sounds like a good buy with a newish engine which is one headache you don't have to worry about.

An auto pilot is really handy especially if you are short handed. Have a look for a Raymarine ST2000. There is a ST1000 but it is a little light on power and slower. If you can find a mint second hand ST2000 then fine if not bite the bullet and buy a new one during the winter if there are deals to be done at Defender etc or even your local chandler. They can be linked to other instruments but I keep all our instruments as stand alone and it works just as well. Has no problem of 60 mile cross channel trips and makes life so much more enjoyable enabling you to go to the loo, play with the sails and make tea without the need to constantly steering.

I keep looking for a spare but they are nearly as much as a new one.

Pete

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Tim.

[ctl411]

Some form of heat would be good. Bus heater off the engine coolant loop or bulkhead type furnace.

[TurboTim]

Originally Posted by ctl411

Some form of heat would be good. Bus heater off the engine coolant loop or bulkhead type furnace.

I did think of a heater. I just didn't know how much heat the little motor would give off.

[TurboTim]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Sounds like a good buy with a newish engine which is one headache you don't have to worry about.

An auto pilot is really handy especially if you are short handed. Have a look for a Raymarine ST2000. There is a ST1000 but it is a little light on power and slower. If you can find a mint second hand ST2000 then fine if not bite the bullet and buy a new one during the winter if there are deals to be done at Defender etc or even your local chandler. They can be linked to other instruments but I keep all our instruments as stand alone and it works just as well. Has no problem of 60 mile cross channel trips and makes life so much more enjoyable enabling you to go to the loo, play with the sails and make tea without the need to constantly steering.

I keep looking for a spare but they are nearly as much as a new one.

Pete

I was looking at the Raymarine stuff. So far that is what looks the best but I have no clue really.