
Thank you to all who have written to me! How very exciting to see such enthusiasm. I got VERY lucky and bought a 2005 Hunter fat shadow from a man in Seattle who had NEVER used it. He did neglect it however, by leaving it outside in the rainiest season we've had since '96. But at least I know where the leaks are!

They are happening around the seal where the back hatch opens and the bottom of one door. No damage yet. I have tarped it and am fervently working on making room in my garage for it so I can really dry it out. Does anyone have recommendations on gaskets or other leak-proofing techniques? It had a broken tail light lens that I was able to replace, and the removable caster on the tongue jack was missing, but I solved that by simply adding another jack with a wheel since I could not find a braking caster the right size, and the folks at Hunter have not gotten back to me about it. My next challenge has been a very steep driveway, with a narrow street. No way to back it in, and I feel more secure with the tongue facing the house anyway. So I bought a "come-along" and winched it up as far as I could, and I also bought a proper winch that I will mount permanently in the garage. Now I am trying to find some poor slob who is willing to move a large pile of dirt and a larger pile of mulch out of the way, and then help me build a temporary shelter for all of my cold sensitive plants who are being kicked out of the garage. Hopefully that slob won't be me! It is very wet and cold!
Thank you all for your advice and interest.
So I guess I am on my way. The Hunter was my first choice (as I am not able to build my own), and I could never have afforded one new. The stars aligned for me. I have a Hobie catamaran that I am always tinkering with, and I am pretty sure I have bought it's land equivalent ('cept it doesn't go very fast)! Would take pictures, but you can see them on Hunter's website. I WILL personalize it, as I feel that is one of my best defenses against theft.