My Hunter 34 was lost in Hurricane Floyd and I've been looking for another Hunter to get back on the water. Saw a 1995 Hunter 35.5 and would be interested in other owner's comments to a couple of points. Firstly the stainless pole to starboard of the galley that runs from cabin sole to coach roof had come adrift at the top, and couldn't easily be pushed back into place, let alone remounted. I also noticed that the hinges on the small opening hatch in the same area had worked loose. Is this a known problem, or a sign of some stress? Secondly, the aft most lazarette on the starboard side, where the macerator is housed, had an amount of water laying in the bottom. This obviously wasn't unusual, because there was a small electric bilge pump there that had seen use. I also noticed that there were signs of some water intrusion in the aft cabin on the starboard side, where the cabin lining meets the base storage area. Are these boats prone to leaks? The owner is out of the country and the broker wasn't much help. Any comments would be much appreciated. By the way, anyone know the BUCs price ranges for a 1994/95 35.5?
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Chuck Wolfe
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Stephen Ostrander
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Ed Schenck
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Charles Singmaster
The 35.5
I have a '94 35.5 I bought new in California, sailed it on SF Bay for 3 years and moved it to SW FL in '97. I still think it's a great boat. I did pull the stainless grab pole loose at the top once. The screw that secures the top captivating bracket to the cabin liner came loose. Had to remove the bottom attachment and the bar to replace the top bracket screw with a larger diameter screw (not longer). Have had no trouble since. The problem with the center hatch hinges may have been caused by sailing with the hatch open and catching the mainsheet on it when the sheet goes slack in a tack or jibe. I did this once myself and learned to keep that hatch down or low when tacking. I have never found any water in the aft most lazarettes and there is no bilge pump in mine. I did get water to leak into the aft cabin at the base of the aft bulkhead. I had left the starboard lazarette at the helm open all night in a rainstorm. You will get water leakage into the aft cabin if water gets into the lazarettes at each side of the helm seat. I've had my 35.5 for neary 6 years now,sailed it over 7000 NM and still love it. It still shines and runs like new and and is a very capable, coatstal and bays boat. As far as price; If I were selling mine now I would expect to ask around $73K. Good luck.
I have a '94 35.5 I bought new in California, sailed it on SF Bay for 3 years and moved it to SW FL in '97. I still think it's a great boat. I did pull the stainless grab pole loose at the top once. The screw that secures the top captivating bracket to the cabin liner came loose. Had to remove the bottom attachment and the bar to replace the top bracket screw with a larger diameter screw (not longer). Have had no trouble since. The problem with the center hatch hinges may have been caused by sailing with the hatch open and catching the mainsheet on it when the sheet goes slack in a tack or jibe. I did this once myself and learned to keep that hatch down or low when tacking. I have never found any water in the aft most lazarettes and there is no bilge pump in mine. I did get water to leak into the aft cabin at the base of the aft bulkhead. I had left the starboard lazarette at the helm open all night in a rainstorm. You will get water leakage into the aft cabin if water gets into the lazarettes at each side of the helm seat. I've had my 35.5 for neary 6 years now,sailed it over 7000 NM and still love it. It still shines and runs like new and and is a very capable, coatstal and bays boat. As far as price; If I were selling mine now I would expect to ask around $73K. Good luck.
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Gene Roberts
Get the 35.5
On my 1995 35.5 I have had the same problems that Charlie Singmaster had on his 35.5 except I have not had any leaks at all! It is a great boat, go for it.
On my 1995 35.5 I have had the same problems that Charlie Singmaster had on his 35.5 except I have not had any leaks at all! It is a great boat, go for it.
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Mick Boland
leaks
Just bought my '90 35.5. It had water in the rear lazerettes and rear cabin also. A problem common to this boat and the '89 30' I had previously is the wiring harness under the cockpit sole behind the steering pedestal- the part that's removable. Check the caulk, and make sure the plastic protecting the wires isn't conducting water below deck. Also, on the 35.5 - the two rear hatches on the cabin top, in the head & rear cabin, only drain to the front. If you store, all the yards want to cant the boat back. Too much rear lean lets water run over he lip- right down beween the hull & inner liner. Shows up ??? wherever.
Just bought my '90 35.5. It had water in the rear lazerettes and rear cabin also. A problem common to this boat and the '89 30' I had previously is the wiring harness under the cockpit sole behind the steering pedestal- the part that's removable. Check the caulk, and make sure the plastic protecting the wires isn't conducting water below deck. Also, on the 35.5 - the two rear hatches on the cabin top, in the head & rear cabin, only drain to the front. If you store, all the yards want to cant the boat back. Too much rear lean lets water run over he lip- right down beween the hull & inner liner. Shows up ??? wherever.
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Chris Webb
great boat!
Paul. I have a 35.5 (1995) for sale in pristine condition. My wife and I loved this boat and only went to a 410 for more room cruising with friends. If you're interested in any details about my boat, please e-mail me at crwebb@aol.com Fair winds! Chris Webb
Paul. I have a 35.5 (1995) for sale in pristine condition. My wife and I loved this boat and only went to a 410 for more room cruising with friends. If you're interested in any details about my boat, please e-mail me at crwebb@aol.com Fair winds! Chris Webb
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Ron Hughes
One of Hunter's best ever (LegendsRule!)
There will always be a part of me that regrets ever selling my 35.5. We bought ours new in 1995 and the boat never had any problems related to the manfacture or quality of the construction of the boat. She had a dry bilge and lockers for all of my watch, and only required regular maintenence with due dilligence to function perfectly. She never had any of the failures mentioned by the others here. Nary a blister. She handled like a dream under power or sail, but loved to run wing and wing with the pole set best. We saw a realistic 10.3 kts. on a surf in a 33 kt. breeze! Our only knock on the 35.5 was size, we wanted more room for cruising systems and stand-up headroom aft, but that is a cruising decision, not a failing of the boat. We bought her with several big options in '95, and sold her with alot of added things for a purchase price of only $5,000 less. Maintenence is the key. She was sold in "as new" condition. If a 35 footer is in your future, let us heartily recommend the Hunter 35.5. But shop 'till you find a well-loved one! Ron
There will always be a part of me that regrets ever selling my 35.5. We bought ours new in 1995 and the boat never had any problems related to the manfacture or quality of the construction of the boat. She had a dry bilge and lockers for all of my watch, and only required regular maintenence with due dilligence to function perfectly. She never had any of the failures mentioned by the others here. Nary a blister. She handled like a dream under power or sail, but loved to run wing and wing with the pole set best. We saw a realistic 10.3 kts. on a surf in a 33 kt. breeze! Our only knock on the 35.5 was size, we wanted more room for cruising systems and stand-up headroom aft, but that is a cruising decision, not a failing of the boat. We bought her with several big options in '95, and sold her with alot of added things for a purchase price of only $5,000 less. Maintenence is the key. She was sold in "as new" condition. If a 35 footer is in your future, let us heartily recommend the Hunter 35.5. But shop 'till you find a well-loved one! Ron
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Chris Webb
Paul, I lost your e-mail!
Paul, Sorry, but my wife misplaced your e-mail. If you will send me your address again, I'll be more than happy to send you details either via e-mail or telephone if you prefer. Sorry we didn't get back to you sooner. Chris Webb crwebb@aol.com
Paul, Sorry, but my wife misplaced your e-mail. If you will send me your address again, I'll be more than happy to send you details either via e-mail or telephone if you prefer. Sorry we didn't get back to you sooner. Chris Webb crwebb@aol.com
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Bill Howitt
Great Boat....buy one!
My 35.5 "Sweet Baboo" is a '93 berthed in Seward, Alaska. It is a great boat and I certainly recommend a 35.5 to anyone if the size is right for you. I get water accumulation in the aft locker (with the macerator) too. No problem though. Just sponge it out every so often. It doesn't hurt anything. I also have a intermittant leak on the starboard side of the aft cabin. Never have been able to find the source. But...the boat is fast and responsive. It's been very reliable and I sail in some pretty tough conditions. I recommend an asymetrical spinnaker. They really power up the boat.
My 35.5 "Sweet Baboo" is a '93 berthed in Seward, Alaska. It is a great boat and I certainly recommend a 35.5 to anyone if the size is right for you. I get water accumulation in the aft locker (with the macerator) too. No problem though. Just sponge it out every so often. It doesn't hurt anything. I also have a intermittant leak on the starboard side of the aft cabin. Never have been able to find the source. But...the boat is fast and responsive. It's been very reliable and I sail in some pretty tough conditions. I recommend an asymetrical spinnaker. They really power up the boat.
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Ron B
Another fan of the 35.5
We went from an 83 H34 to a 93 35.5 earlier this year. You'll love it. We found that the things we wished they had done differently on the 34 had been done on the 35.5. (ie. there's no starbord list.) They're both great boats but you'll really like the 35.5. I haven't found any leaks yet, but I do have a minor condensation problem in both the aft cabin and the v berth. That may be where the moisture is coming from. Fans and dehumidifiers seem to help but I'm trying to get up the nerve to install some vents in front of the forwared hatch like the 34 has. This seems to be a common (one of the few) problem with the 35.5.
We went from an 83 H34 to a 93 35.5 earlier this year. You'll love it. We found that the things we wished they had done differently on the 34 had been done on the 35.5. (ie. there's no starbord list.) They're both great boats but you'll really like the 35.5. I haven't found any leaks yet, but I do have a minor condensation problem in both the aft cabin and the v berth. That may be where the moisture is coming from. Fans and dehumidifiers seem to help but I'm trying to get up the nerve to install some vents in front of the forwared hatch like the 34 has. This seems to be a common (one of the few) problem with the 35.5.
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