Fitting out a Huntsman 31.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 10:00 am

Thank you for the input. Very helpful.

The boat came with a Raymarine plotter, its not new, but it definitely isn't 24v capable.

DSC does have a remote handset so I can put the unit elsewhere.

Folly Reach's point about not having wing tanks giving space to store an outboard has sealed the fate of them, I'll leave them out. A couple of boards made up will create a useful space for spuriously purchased chandlery items....

Fresh water bag tank up front, 100ltrs.

Eberspacher in the engine bay.

Calorifier under the fwd cockpit floor.

The engines have header tanks that are the highest point, not sure that I would go for the top mount turbo, seems a lot of faffing about for little return albeit I recognise the limited drop in the H31 exhaust and the turbo oil drain.

All I need to do is get the boy out of hospital and I'll be able to get the boat moved to Hamble and get started.

Ben

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 12:17 am

Defo Eberspacher in engine bay after tanks removed. Most certainly calorifier as you will need hot water for baby stuff and to wash the drool off your face when you experience the ride of a 31 after having a 28. Enjoy Ben

Folly Reach · Post by **Folly Reach** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 7:20 am

Well it certainly won't be salt water off your face.
Huntsman31 rule......Brilliant.

JohnSK · Post by **JohnSK** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 5:05 pm

Everything you want to fit will go in neatly; 20 gal water tank under cockpit floor, Eberspacher under port deck trunking, calorifier under helmsman's feet.
Keep the wing tanks - depending on engines the space is not very usable. I have seen inflatables crammed into wing tank space but I suspect after a period being compressed and cooked in engine bay they become a bit undesirable.
I think you have to have as an important motivation the fact that you have a young family and this, in my experience means adequate washing and a feeling of safety.Boating with a young family can be a different world from with an adult crew.
You don't want to find yourself caught out by the weather and run out of fuel so if you are going to do runs of any length then keep the wing tanks.
If you get to a destination with a dirty and wet child you want ample hot water and warmth so fit a calorifier together with the biggest sinks you can squeeze in. Boiling kettles is ok in theory but is a very poor second to just turning on a tap.
Not mentioned so far but also important for family are a reliable loo and an adequate fridge or cooler box

CharlesL · Post by **CharlesL** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 5:18 pm

Sounds to me like the h31 is pretty nearly the perfect family cruiser, then!

Charles

Paul Foulston · Post by **Paul Foulston** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 9:34 pm

Please enlighten me how much fuel does a H31 have WITHOUT wing tanks?

Paul

nickkieffer1 · Post by **nickkieffer1** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:25 pm

Under 100Gals it never seems enough I Keep having to top up .Don't like going below 1/4 tank as fuel gauges may not be to accurate.Nick

CharlesL · Post by **CharlesL** » Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:04 am

December 1967 advert quotes twin Perkins 145, 24 knot cruising / 9 gallons hour / 200 mile range.

First (undated) brochure states 2 x 45 gallon tanks "to give a range at cruising speed of approximately 150 miles with a consumption of 13 gallons per hour", but this doesn't state for which of the engine options - Perkins 145, Ford 150 or 180 turbos. The only reference to speed is the turbo "up to 30 knots"

The 1971 brochure quotes twin 180 Mermaids, with options of 210 or 225hp, still with 2 x 45 gallon tanks and optional wing tanks (extra 50 gallon total). The 225 engines claim 33 knots max, 31 cruise, at 21 / 18 gallons/hour, 163 / 178 mile range.

Interestingly, the 1973 price list is same for both aft cabin and Sport versions . . .

Charles

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:28 am

H28's are often said to have either 40 or 45 gallon tanks. I know empirically that Playtime's are 45 gallons.

H31 are said to have 45 gallons aft and 25 gallons wing.

The aft tank in the 31 doesn't look as big as the 45 gallon 28 tank.

I've decided, as much as the wing tank space would be a handy lazarette, to keep the wing tanks, with a gravity drain in the aft tanks, no feed and return.

JohnSK · Post by **JohnSK** » Mon Jan 11, 2016 11:31 am

The sums we did for RBR 2008 may be of help. With legs up to 210 miles we had to get it right since the prospect of running out say in the North Sea did not appeal. We had the standard 45 gall main tanks on Xanthus and upon the disintegration of the resin wing tanks had these replaced in S/S which we calibrated to 30 galls each.
Cruising @ 28kn we were getting around 2.2 mpg.
In practice we ran the first 140 miles on mains then transferred to wings until main tanks showed full on gauges again.
This worked fine and with decent stop valves in the right place was easy to put into practice.
I think to depend on a reliable 90 galls from the main tanks would be pushing your luck

Paul Foulston · Post by **Paul Foulston** » Mon Jan 11, 2016 11:48 am

Hi Ben,

I obviously respect your decision but lugging around 160kg of fuel does costs you range and speed, particularly as you were focused on keeping PT2 light with great success.

Always regretted Artemis ending up at 2.6 tonnes and currently looking at Spearfish which needs to go to weight watchers.

Paul

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:18 pm

My thoughts are that if I plan to keep the wing tanks at half full, that 12.5 gallons, approx 1/4 of the main tanks, a useful fall back. Plus, if only half full I have the option to use the wing tanks to trim the boat if needed.

robin3boats · Post by **robin3boats** » Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:07 am

You could put a wing tank one side and dinghy and outboard the other?

nickkieffer1 · Post by **nickkieffer1** » Wed Jan 13, 2016 11:53 am

Not to sure about an outboard in engine compartment with petrol vapour a possibility.Nick

robin3boats · Post by **robin3boats** » Wed Jan 13, 2016 3:19 pm

Petrol vapour???