Bulkhead/cabinetry/delam problems?

[MarkandEmily]

We have fallen in love with the Hunter 44 and want to buy one for long term cruising in the Caribbean and Bahamas. However we are getting very mixed messages from people about the durability of Hunters. Has anyone on this forum cruised extensively in a Hunter?

We have heard of problems during passages and cruising related to undersized deck hardware, delamination of decks, excessive movement of bulkheads, and having to rebuild or refit much of the interior after a passage from Texas to the Grenadines in benign weather.

I am wondering if any Hunter owners in this forum have had similar problems?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

There are a few H44 owners active here who will hopefully chime in. I can add only the experience my dock neighbor, who bought a 44 2 years ago, has related to me. He has cruised extensively during that period up and down the east coast and has had problems but not any of which you mention. His most serious problem, if you can call it that, is a leak in the aft locker causing some mildew.
You will find horror stories of any older boat and some people who have no experience with contemporary Hunters will be happy to reiterate those old issues, however, this company wouldn't still be in business as one of the leading mfgs, particularly in this economy, unless they made a quality product.
There is a pervasive mentality that only traditional full keel wallowers are capable of offshore travel and although Hunters aren't designed or targeted for offshore conditions, there is a thread here written by Mike Harder (in the archives) who recently did a circumnavigation and lived to tell about it.

If you don't get any more responsive replies, I'm sure you can look him up in the directory and email him to get some reliable first-hand advice.