I have vacillated between a Catalina 320 and a Hunter 310. My wife is most taken with the Hunter(you guys know what the outcome will assuredly be!). Please just humor me and offer your opinions and advice when inspecting this potential purchase! Are their particular areas/components of concern with the 1998 Hunter 310? She appears at first blush to have been well maintained although she has been out of the water for 1.5 years, in NewEngland. Thankyou in advance for your opinions and advice. Kind Regards, Morgan
- Status
Sage Advice
Before I purchased my first Hunter 13 years ago, I wanted another boat. My wife instead fell in love with the Hunter. I was belly-aching to my Uncle who had grown up on boats. He said: "Rick, you're lucky to have a wife who even wants to put up with boats. Find out what she likes and buy it. Consider yourself lucky." I did. He was right. If it's her choice, she will be a full partner in it. And, with Hunter, at least the thing sailed good and lived great. Then SHE wanted me to buy a bigger one. Really, with the major brands, it's hard to miss. It's up to the two of you. Just give her opinion a lot of weight. Rick D.
Before I purchased my first Hunter 13 years ago, I wanted another boat. My wife instead fell in love with the Hunter. I was belly-aching to my Uncle who had grown up on boats. He said: "Rick, you're lucky to have a wife who even wants to put up with boats. Find out what she likes and buy it. Consider yourself lucky." I did. He was right. If it's her choice, she will be a full partner in it. And, with Hunter, at least the thing sailed good and lived great. Then SHE wanted me to buy a bigger one. Really, with the major brands, it's hard to miss. It's up to the two of you. Just give her opinion a lot of weight. Rick D.
great boat
I have a 2001 hunter 290 and me and wife were looking at boats mostly catalina's and hunters she fell in love with the look of our hunter. My freind owns a 1998 310 hunter and loves his boat on long island sound and never has anything bad to say at all, you will love the arch and all the room below and they are so easy to sail,my wife loves that the arch keeps guest from getting hit from the boom. I am sure catalina owners love their boats also but hunters are a great boat you won't be sorry you got one good luck and enjoy your boat like we do. nick
I have a 2001 hunter 290 and me and wife were looking at boats mostly catalina's and hunters she fell in love with the look of our hunter. My freind owns a 1998 310 hunter and loves his boat on long island sound and never has anything bad to say at all, you will love the arch and all the room below and they are so easy to sail,my wife loves that the arch keeps guest from getting hit from the boom. I am sure catalina owners love their boats also but hunters are a great boat you won't be sorry you got one good luck and enjoy your boat like we do. nick
Both great boats
I am a Hunter owner but appreciate Catalinas and all good sailboats as well. The Hunter is a B&R rig and has some different characteristics from the Catalina masthead rig that you should be aware of. Other than that, the only advice I have is that things will go much better for you if you make your Queen happy.
I am a Hunter owner but appreciate Catalinas and all good sailboats as well. The Hunter is a B&R rig and has some different characteristics from the Catalina masthead rig that you should be aware of. Other than that, the only advice I have is that things will go much better for you if you make your Queen happy.
very positive experience with my 310
The 310 is a very solid boat. My 1999, purchased new has had only very minor problems, all major components held up very well. Sails well, excellent on cruises up and down Northeast. Comfortable cruiser and quite frisky in a little air. The only design 'flaw' I'd note is that the factory original lazy jacks don't work that well- I replaced them with a dutchman system, but wished I'd gotten the furling main - in spite of the speed penalty. You'll love the stern seats.
The 310 is a very solid boat. My 1999, purchased new has had only very minor problems, all major components held up very well. Sails well, excellent on cruises up and down Northeast. Comfortable cruiser and quite frisky in a little air. The only design 'flaw' I'd note is that the factory original lazy jacks don't work that well- I replaced them with a dutchman system, but wished I'd gotten the furling main - in spite of the speed penalty. You'll love the stern seats.
wished you'd gone with mast furling
When I was deciding to buy my first Hunter this past Summer, being a purist, I was not overly excited about performance loss of in-mast furling. But the 326 that was available had it. Now I laugh because I find myself reefing much more often than i do worry about loss of speed (ok i worried one time when a J130 wanted to show us up
anyone who has a roller main will tell you it makes sailing all that more fun !
When I was deciding to buy my first Hunter this past Summer, being a purist, I was not overly excited about performance loss of in-mast furling. But the 326 that was available had it. Now I laugh because I find myself reefing much more often than i do worry about loss of speed (ok i worried one time when a J130 wanted to show us up
anyone who has a roller main will tell you it makes sailing all that more fun !- Status