1986 Hunter 34/35

[JimGo]

I've stumbled across what is purported to be a Hunter 35 for sale that might actually be within my (very limited) budget. I'm supposed to go check it out next weekend, and I'm trying to find some information about it, but that's proving hard to do. It isn't exactly clear to me whether the boat is truly a 35, or if it's a 34. The information I've found suggests that there may have been an overlap in production between the two boats, and that the 35 is the "next generation" of the 34, but I don't know what the differences are between the boats. Can anyone give me suggestions as to what to look for in the way of distinguishing features?

I also have the standard questions about build quality. I'm a coastal cruiser, at best, so no need for a blue water yacht. But I'm sailing with my family (wife, 2 young boys) and need to be sure the boat is fundamentally safe. Of course, I'll get a survey to confirm things, but is the H35 a reasonably safe boat? How about financially - are there systemic problems that will make me sorry I bought the boat? I've read all the trash talk on other forums about Hunters, but I know there are a lot of them out there, and most of the more rational comments essentially say "they're perfectly fine for their intended purpose," and the Hunter's intended purpose and my intended purpose are very similar, so I'm inclined to think she should be fine.

Finally, I'm trying to understand how hard the H35 will be to single-hand. We're really fair weather day sailors, with dreams of overnights once in a while. But I'd still like to know that I can manage the 35's sails in the event something came up. I'm 42 and in decent shape for a couch potato. The 35 will be our second boat (well, third actually, we also picked up a 15' Albacore), and it would be a big step up from the Catalina 25 that we had. Am I biting off more than I can chew in moving up to a boat (and sails) of this size?

I did find Jack Horner's review of the 35 (http://www.boatus.com/boatreviews/sail/hunterlegend35.asp) which made the boat seem pretty decent. Any other feedback on the Hunter 35 is appreciated.

 

[Stretch]

Your family will love it and you will have no problem single handing with an autopilot and a furler. Docking will be the biggest step up.
The 34/35 hulls are the same with the changes being a walk thru transom and finally a sugar scoop transom as the new model progressed.
Nothing like a surveyor to find problems and your insurance will require it. Have a good look at the engine, fire it up, you could spend alot there.

 

[KD3PC]

if you can handle the Cat, you can handle the new boat, may even be easier. And in no time you will have kids to teach and they will be a great help and source of pride to you and your family.

Safe boat, forgiving and great for your size family.

Enjoy, and pics of course!!

 

[Mark48]

Jim,

I moved from a Cataline 27 to a 85 Hunter 35. I actually think it handles better. On the docking just go slow and avoid the PT 109 moves. As to classic issues I think the major concerns are well documented on this web site. One area of nuisance has been a wet galley floor coming from a leak that I final diagnosed as the starboard cockpit drain, only get water when healed enough to burry the drain. It should be an easy fix this spring. When I purchased, the mast support had been repaired. Also windows leaked, nothing one does not extpect from a mid 80's vintage boat. The one thing you will really appreciate is the ability to access the motor and other systems, not to mention the cabin space below for the kids and fairly wide deck when you need to go forward. Don't let the B&R rig intimidate you, a little complex but after some reading it is easy to understand. The boat is a little tender so it does require reefing about 15 Kts. Also I think a 120% to 130% genoa is about right. Finally your family will find the 34/35 a much more comfortable ride with plenty of space for grandparents. Good Huntering.

 

[Richard Bryer]

I went from a SanJuan 24 to the H34. When I first stood behind the wheel it looked like a lot of boat out there in front of me! However you do get the feel of it. As others have said- take it slow, reef early, read lots. You will enjoy the room both above and below deck.

 

[Fast Ed]

I went from a 16' Wayfarer to a 1986 H34. I am very happy with the boat. I regularly race it, and do pretty well racing non-spinaker. I think your happiness depends on the intended use. The H34 is not the boat I would choose to cross oceans. It is a coastal cruiser that has good performance, and a lot of room below. People say the boat is a bit tender and they are correct. It has a lot of feeboard, and that raises the center of gravity, hence tenderness. Try to reduce sail early, and shift the center of effort towards the bow. I often cruise with just the Genoa.
Happy Sailing

 

[kloudie1]

I agree.. went from a Spirit 23 to the 34.. I had sailed some friend's larger boats .. go slow and learn you'll be happy with the boat.

 

[Steve Dion]

The Legend line of Hunters had a 35 & 37. The year may actually be a 87 (not sure about this). This was the predecessor to the 35.5 and the 37.5. The 35 has a single round sink and a stove with a broiler/no oven.

 

[JimGo]

Thanks everyone! Sorry, the E-mail notices stopped and I missed several of the responses. I'll be going to visit the boat next weekend, and hopefully she'll be in good shape. I really hadn't planned on going above a 30, maybe stretching it to a 32. If the 35 looks good, I'm not sure I'll be able to say no! Mark48 and Richard Bryer, I especially appreciate your comments. Fast Ed, that must have been a wild feeling! I learned on a 14' American, and when I moved to the C25, it felt like I was on an oversized American with a cabin. I'm hopeful that the H35 will feel like an oversized C25 with a wheel. But, of course, I'm getting ahead of myself...I still haven't even seen the boat in person!

As for our intended uses, we're day sailers with aspirations of becoming coastal cruisers. Right now, our kids have a short tolerance/attention span for the boat, so we get 2-3 hours aboard most of the time. I hope that a new marina, and a more comforatble boat, will give the entire family more reason to be aboard, and preferably under way, more often. I also hope to do a few overnights this season, and the bigger boat seems like a better choice for those purposes, too.

 

[Ray Bowles]

JimGo, If you get the boat take the time to learn every system, where all the line go and learn all the safety equipment. The first times out are always the most stressful until you learn your boat. Learn first, then go. I know you will love it and as the kids get older you will have a real crew.
Good luck, Ray

 

[Stretch]

Jim, also note that the 34 had an iron keel and the 35 has a lead keel. Previous posts from owners Fred Ficarro, John Nantz, Alan and others talk about this boat and the keel in a 7 page long forum at...

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?
t=58259&highlight=35.5+fuel+tank
...I found reading about holding tanks....

 

[JimGo]

Thanks Stretch!

 

[Mark48]

When I was looking to move up from my Catalina 27 I looked at some 30ft (Catalina and O'day), my realization was that there was not actually that much more room. In the 34, you kids will have room below to play if they want and it is an easier ride. Just be prepared for more maintenance, greater system complexity and as Ray said take time to learn the systems. A week or two on the hard just crawling through the boat with your wife and children will help make all familiar and comfortable. You might want to play a game of what is this, with the kids asking the questions. Plus you will have jumped beyon 3ft itis.

 

[Ted5610]

Jim, the other easy way to tell the difference between a 34 and a 35 besides the open transom, is that the 35 is a fractional rig. (forstay doesn't go all the way to the top of the mast). When I bought my 35, i spent the first few months going over everything. I learned all the systems, fix a few things, even drank a beer or 2 at the dock. I graduated from a Hunter 23.5. As everyine has said, Reef early and enjoy the ride. Good luck. Ted

 

[JimGo]

Thanks everyone! Well, it looks like the Hunter 34/35 is off the market for a while. The broker said that there was an issue with the engine, and the seller wanted to fix it before it was re-listed. So, as of now, there 's no chance of me getting her.

That's OK, because in the interim, I've found an Allmand 31 that seems to be in good shape. I like the "tri-cabin" design of the Allmand, so I'm off to check that out this weekend. The Hunter 34/35 would have been more boat, and might have sailed better, but if the Allmand is in the shape she appears to be from her pictures, she'll still be plenty of boat for us, and is certainly a big step up from our Catalina 25 in terms of comfort.

Thanks again for your feedback and support! I'm going to hold the broker's name for now, in case things don't work out with the Allmand. But if, in a few weeks, I haven't come back, it's safe to say I went with the Allmand, at which point I'll be happy to share the broker's name with anyone who might be interested. She was highly responsive and very helpful, unlike some of the other brokers I contacted (a few of whom sneered at me, and one who told me to stop wasting his time). I wouldn't hesitate to try to buy from her.