Any advice/cmts for new-to-be 306 owner???

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dennisp

dennisp

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Jun 13, 2004
60
Hunter 306 Bluewater Bay Marina (Niceville, FL)
Just going from a (great little!) Hunter 23.5 to a 2003 Hunter 306 from Norton's in Deltaville, VA. Looking forward to some longer cruises on the Chesapeake and around Delmarva (and perhaps poking along the ICW Northward/Southward for a bit) in the Spring/Summer. Hey, a skiier's gotta have something to do in the off-season here in Virginia. :) The boat is to be surveyed and sea trials conducted in 2 weeks (4 Jan - Brrr!) Seems pretty nice and new to me. First upgrade on the radar is some type refrigeration for the icebox. Any comments/advice from other similar model owners? Boat is now named Free Bird and has Willamsburg listed as home port...according to dealer, they've sold this boat three times since new...each time after a season the owners upgraded to bigger (new?) Hunter (or Benetau?) sailboat. Any former owners out there, possibly? Thanks for the attention and a Great Holiday Season to all!
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Isotherm SP

Look at the Isotherm units. They make a SP unit that allows the coolant/freon to be cooled by the seawater. I purchased mine from E-marine Inc in Florida. The only down side to these units is that you must pull the boat to replace the galley sink thru hull. They are reasonably priced and do not add heat to the interior of the boat. The heat is pumped out thru the water. They also do not make much noise.
 
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Gregg18047

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Jan 5, 2004
95
Hunter 33 Huntington NY
306

I had the 290, which was the same as the 306. Great boat - simple systems, simple to sail. Personally, I would forego the fridge. Block ice is much simpler, and draws nothing from your batteries. If anything, maybe a little more insulation around the ice box. When I upgraded to the 33, I should have passed on the refrigerator and stayed with the ice box. My fridge draws about 5 amps an hour when running - even on a 50% cycle (after it's cooled down), that's still 2.5 amps an hour. Add an interior light or two, an anchor light, stereo, etc...it all translates into bigger batteries and better charging systems. Better to keep it simple. Good luck and have fun...
 
dennisp

dennisp

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Jun 13, 2004
60
Hunter 306 Bluewater Bay Marina (Niceville, FL)
New 306 - Refrigeration

Hi Nick - thanks for the favor of the reply. Read a few articles on how to pack an ice box and noted recommendations from Greg and Steve Dion. Also picked a "Hunter 306 Improvements" thread from the archives dated Feb 05 that was very illuminating. Think I will start off taking Gregg's suggestion and just going cruising and see how it works out. Simpler is better, right? (I have been told that block ice is more available once I get out of the upper Potomac and into the Bay proper. We'll see.) Boat survey went well. I will pass your regards on to Carol and Mike. Do I understand you "add(ed) batteries and had total of 4 31's to run RAY Chart/GPS/Radar and auto pilot,stereo for weekend over nighters?" For a 290? I have no radar, but it seems a lotta lead-acid to me...my two wet-cell SRM-24s and the installed Guest 15 AMP battery charger sound quite inadequate. Again, we'll see. Hope all had a good Holiday Season - best wishes for the New Year. Skiing's sure lousy in the mid-Atlantic....here it is mid-January and the temp is supposed to hit the 60s for the next few days! Well, a skiier has to have some hobby for the off-season. I am excited about my new boat. - Dennis
 
dennisp

dennisp

.
Jun 13, 2004
60
Hunter 306 Bluewater Bay Marina (Niceville, FL)
New 306 - Refrigeration

Hi Nick - thanks for the favor of the reply. Read a few articles on how to pack an ice box and noted recommendations from Greg and Steve Dion. Also picked a "Hunter 306 Improvements" thread from the archives dated Feb 05 that was very illuminating. Think I will start off taking Gregg's suggestion and just going cruising and see how it works out. Simpler is better, right? (I have been told that block ice is more available once I get out of the upper Potomac and into the Bay proper. We'll see.) Boat survey went well. I will pass your regards on to Carol and Mike. Do I understand you "add(ed) batteries and had total of 4 31's to run RAY Chart/GPS/Radar and auto pilot,stereo for weekend over nighters?" For a 290? I have no radar, but it seems a lotta lead-acid to me...my two wet-cell SRM-24s and the installed Guest 15 AMP battery charger sound quite inadequate. Again, we'll see. Hope all had a good Holiday Season - best wishes for the New Year. Skiing's sure lousy in the mid-Atlantic....here it is mid-January and the temp is supposed to hit the 60s for the next few days! Well, a skiier has to have some hobby for the off-season. I am excited about my new boat. - Dennis
 
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