We are awaiting our first new sailboat in about 2 weeks (experiencing 2-3week delay as Hunter sent boat w/ wheel iso tiller which we ordered.) Have been studying other 260 posts and starting now to get worried. Other boaters are complaining about Hunter quality/workmanship. Do you think it would pay to have the boat surveyed before it even leaves Fl.? Is there anything else you can suggest to make sure our boat will meet up to our quality expectations?? Thank you Dave, seems like you really really are on top of all these things.. Joyce and Bob
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New Boat
This is as good a spot as any to report our experience after 8 weeks as new Hunter 290 owners. First, I do like the boat that we have and expect many happy years of enjoyment. ALso, I expected that there would be some things that would not meet my expectations or critical eye. We had a certain amount of money to spend on a boat and we bought knowing that another 100K would get us better quality. That said: Our Hunter has various areas of work where things were done with little care. Some things could fit better, some woodwork does not match up as well as it should. Being a former custom home builder, I would say that Hunter is more like a manufactured home builder. The boat was delivered with the bilge pump hooked up to the refrigerator drain. We did not notice this until we managed to get enough water in the bilge to cause the pump to cycle. This was easily remedied, but the boat was in the water for over a month in this condition, and would have sunk if a leak had developed. I added a battery bank to the boat and split the charger wires so that they could each power a battery. This required adding a third leg charger wire to the charger. I asked that the wire be built the same as the Hunter wires (with the fuse mounted within 6 inches of the charger). My electronics guy refused to do it. He said that the fuses should clearly be within 6 inches of the battery because the danger was in a short in teh cahrger wire that would be feed by the battery, not the other way around. Did Hunter install these two wires backwards? I'm not sure, but at least the one I installed is fused near the battery and this makes sense to me. When we were at the Hunter factory I was told that once the top and bottom of the boat are mated, they install an inside fiberglass seam across the back part of the boat where it sits so low in the water. I told the guy doing the tour that that made me feel much better....nice to have a little extra protection on that seam. Guess what, either my boat made it through the line while that particular seam guy was playing hookey, or the factory tour guide (with 20 years experience building Hunters) was wrong. I discovered this while finding out this weekend that the tube that I empty my waste tank through only goes down about halfway into the waste tank. So until the new tube gets here and someone figures out how to get it in the tank (does not look easy), we may just have to dock near the pumpout station. We do have a few teak panels that are delaminating...this will also not be easy to fix. It took a week to get the anchor windlass in (by the dealer) because Hunter did not exactly consider the particular anchor windlass they woudl use when building the anchor well and associated support structure (at least according to my dealer). At any rate, we are working through the issues. When it is all done, it will be a fine and safe boat. I'm particular that way. We also like our boat and expect many happy adventures along the way. The important thing is to understand that some things need to be looked at closely, and a test sail is not going to reveal all of the issues. Spend some time looking aorund in teh bilge and under other inspection openings...you will learn something about your boat, and you might actually fix something important. Dan Jonas
This is as good a spot as any to report our experience after 8 weeks as new Hunter 290 owners. First, I do like the boat that we have and expect many happy years of enjoyment. ALso, I expected that there would be some things that would not meet my expectations or critical eye. We had a certain amount of money to spend on a boat and we bought knowing that another 100K would get us better quality. That said: Our Hunter has various areas of work where things were done with little care. Some things could fit better, some woodwork does not match up as well as it should. Being a former custom home builder, I would say that Hunter is more like a manufactured home builder. The boat was delivered with the bilge pump hooked up to the refrigerator drain. We did not notice this until we managed to get enough water in the bilge to cause the pump to cycle. This was easily remedied, but the boat was in the water for over a month in this condition, and would have sunk if a leak had developed. I added a battery bank to the boat and split the charger wires so that they could each power a battery. This required adding a third leg charger wire to the charger. I asked that the wire be built the same as the Hunter wires (with the fuse mounted within 6 inches of the charger). My electronics guy refused to do it. He said that the fuses should clearly be within 6 inches of the battery because the danger was in a short in teh cahrger wire that would be feed by the battery, not the other way around. Did Hunter install these two wires backwards? I'm not sure, but at least the one I installed is fused near the battery and this makes sense to me. When we were at the Hunter factory I was told that once the top and bottom of the boat are mated, they install an inside fiberglass seam across the back part of the boat where it sits so low in the water. I told the guy doing the tour that that made me feel much better....nice to have a little extra protection on that seam. Guess what, either my boat made it through the line while that particular seam guy was playing hookey, or the factory tour guide (with 20 years experience building Hunters) was wrong. I discovered this while finding out this weekend that the tube that I empty my waste tank through only goes down about halfway into the waste tank. So until the new tube gets here and someone figures out how to get it in the tank (does not look easy), we may just have to dock near the pumpout station. We do have a few teak panels that are delaminating...this will also not be easy to fix. It took a week to get the anchor windlass in (by the dealer) because Hunter did not exactly consider the particular anchor windlass they woudl use when building the anchor well and associated support structure (at least according to my dealer). At any rate, we are working through the issues. When it is all done, it will be a fine and safe boat. I'm particular that way. We also like our boat and expect many happy adventures along the way. The important thing is to understand that some things need to be looked at closely, and a test sail is not going to reveal all of the issues. Spend some time looking aorund in teh bilge and under other inspection openings...you will learn something about your boat, and you might actually fix something important. Dan Jonas
My 2 cents
I think Dan is going through something similar to what happened to me. I bought a 240 in 1997. I have the 13th boat off the line. As Dan has a fairly new model, I can relate. When I bought my boat, I had to have the dealer replace the motor mount bracket, because hunter had changed the way it mounted (for more clearance). I had to have the table mounts changed shortly there after (better mounts). I never could find a bimini that worked, and looked nice (had one made, while hunter changed bimini makers). Next, my tangs on the mast support poles bent, which my dealer replaced. (hunter had new tangs) Even with this experience, I'll buy another hunter. My dealer was great, (until he sold to someone else) and I never had a problem with the changes or repairs. Bottom line is, new models sometimes have problems. Production line boats sometimes have problems. It's the willingness of the dealer and the manufacturer to fix those problems that matter. And for me, Hunter and my dealer (Crazy Dave's my dealer now), have been there when I needed them. Besides, who has another 100k lying around to spend anyway. If you do, you shouldn't be in this forum! Russell Hudson s/v Summer Luvin'
I think Dan is going through something similar to what happened to me. I bought a 240 in 1997. I have the 13th boat off the line. As Dan has a fairly new model, I can relate. When I bought my boat, I had to have the dealer replace the motor mount bracket, because hunter had changed the way it mounted (for more clearance). I had to have the table mounts changed shortly there after (better mounts). I never could find a bimini that worked, and looked nice (had one made, while hunter changed bimini makers). Next, my tangs on the mast support poles bent, which my dealer replaced. (hunter had new tangs) Even with this experience, I'll buy another hunter. My dealer was great, (until he sold to someone else) and I never had a problem with the changes or repairs. Bottom line is, new models sometimes have problems. Production line boats sometimes have problems. It's the willingness of the dealer and the manufacturer to fix those problems that matter. And for me, Hunter and my dealer (Crazy Dave's my dealer now), have been there when I needed them. Besides, who has another 100k lying around to spend anyway. If you do, you shouldn't be in this forum! Russell Hudson s/v Summer Luvin'
Ssurvey
I would suggest that you have a survey completed prior to paying for the boat. It will probably find several nitpicking things which money can be held back on , in escrow, until properly fixed. I would go through the list of things which are in the archives and make sure these are checked out, especially the transom joint at the bottom. Unffortunaately QC is not as big an issue with boat builders as one would think. Most things are fixable but I would make the dealer earn his money.
I would suggest that you have a survey completed prior to paying for the boat. It will probably find several nitpicking things which money can be held back on , in escrow, until properly fixed. I would go through the list of things which are in the archives and make sure these are checked out, especially the transom joint at the bottom. Unffortunaately QC is not as big an issue with boat builders as one would think. Most things are fixable but I would make the dealer earn his money.
New Boat
We purchased a new Hunter 320 last year and had very few problems. One must remember, that with anything that is new, especially a new house, things do settle and need to be adjusted. When we built our new home, the first time we used the soaker tub, we had water coming out the light fixture in the kitchen. I don't think it matters if you spend $50K or $500K on a boat, some things need to be adjusted, fixed when they are new.
We purchased a new Hunter 320 last year and had very few problems. One must remember, that with anything that is new, especially a new house, things do settle and need to be adjusted. When we built our new home, the first time we used the soaker tub, we had water coming out the light fixture in the kitchen. I don't think it matters if you spend $50K or $500K on a boat, some things need to be adjusted, fixed when they are new.
It's a tradeoff
Hi I think everyone makes good points. The Hunter trailerables and their offspring are manufactured products..not custom. Of course there are going to be various things that need attention. I was naive when I bought my 23.5 new in 1994. I even signed the check before going for a test sail. Things cropped up that weren't right, but Hunter was always willing to work with me. My dealer promptly dropped the Hunter line right after I purchased mine, so I had no dealer to complain to. The customer service/warranty people at Hunter Marine were professional, friendly and always willing to help as much as they could. Now...that said. If I were you I'd foot the bill for an impartial survey of the boat before taking delivery. Make sure all those manufacturing boo-boos are taken care of up front. I think it would be money well spent. Alan Long S/V Random Access
Hi I think everyone makes good points. The Hunter trailerables and their offspring are manufactured products..not custom. Of course there are going to be various things that need attention. I was naive when I bought my 23.5 new in 1994. I even signed the check before going for a test sail. Things cropped up that weren't right, but Hunter was always willing to work with me. My dealer promptly dropped the Hunter line right after I purchased mine, so I had no dealer to complain to. The customer service/warranty people at Hunter Marine were professional, friendly and always willing to help as much as they could. Now...that said. If I were you I'd foot the bill for an impartial survey of the boat before taking delivery. Make sure all those manufacturing boo-boos are taken care of up front. I think it would be money well spent. Alan Long S/V Random Access
You buy expectations
I'm sorry to say, that you have to think of everything yourself. What you buy is a lot of expectations about your future positive experiences. And a boat, a house, a bike or whatever are physical things and they are made by humans and neither of them are perfect (at least that's my experience). So, my advice after half a dozen of boats (new and used) and houses and other things: check, check and check again together with the vendor. Go through everything at delivery time. After the delivery of your boat and your cash you are out there alone. Hopefully with a responsible vendor whom you could have a positive talk to later, but still - you are there with your new thing and without your cash. So, my advice is: be prepared for a lot of new unexpected experiences and use them for learning how to do it or how not to do it the next time. And most of all : Be happy with your new boat and ENJOY! There's a lot of fun too !! Toomas
I'm sorry to say, that you have to think of everything yourself. What you buy is a lot of expectations about your future positive experiences. And a boat, a house, a bike or whatever are physical things and they are made by humans and neither of them are perfect (at least that's my experience). So, my advice after half a dozen of boats (new and used) and houses and other things: check, check and check again together with the vendor. Go through everything at delivery time. After the delivery of your boat and your cash you are out there alone. Hopefully with a responsible vendor whom you could have a positive talk to later, but still - you are there with your new thing and without your cash. So, my advice is: be prepared for a lot of new unexpected experiences and use them for learning how to do it or how not to do it the next time. And most of all : Be happy with your new boat and ENJOY! There's a lot of fun too !! Toomas
Good experience with H240
We purchased a new H240 in 1998 and are happy with it. As I posted in a separate article, the H240 is a bit light for rough surface conditions. However, workmanship is generally good. The boat leaked because a screw had not been properly sealed. More seriously, a lot of water came through the companionway during a bad storm. As a result of that I had a snap-down cover made at a cost of about $150. That corrected the problem. I didn't ask Hunter for the $150. That was my mistake; perhaps they would have paid. In my opinion Hunter is a good company, and they make a quality production boat.
We purchased a new H240 in 1998 and are happy with it. As I posted in a separate article, the H240 is a bit light for rough surface conditions. However, workmanship is generally good. The boat leaked because a screw had not been properly sealed. More seriously, a lot of water came through the companionway during a bad storm. As a result of that I had a snap-down cover made at a cost of about $150. That corrected the problem. I didn't ask Hunter for the $150. That was my mistake; perhaps they would have paid. In my opinion Hunter is a good company, and they make a quality production boat.
still waiting
thank you all for your replies.. I guess we are hoping for perfection and just sail off into the horizon.. or - you might say- reality has not set in yet. We will surely be posting once boat is delivered.. it was supposed to be here already and apparantly has left Fl. and is enroute as I write. thanks again and we will really be wary. thank goodness we have a good rapport w/ the dealer (so far) Have a good rest of the weekend and stay dry. joyce and bob.
thank you all for your replies.. I guess we are hoping for perfection and just sail off into the horizon.. or - you might say- reality has not set in yet. We will surely be posting once boat is delivered.. it was supposed to be here already and apparantly has left Fl. and is enroute as I write. thanks again and we will really be wary. thank goodness we have a good rapport w/ the dealer (so far) Have a good rest of the weekend and stay dry. joyce and bob.
Buying a Project?
Just got home from working on my boat (H-35) which we bought new in 1988. Noticed that everybody had some really good responses and I'd like to add my two cents worth. So, you're buying a project? We bought a new boat because I didn't have time to work on someone elses problems but it's been a project from the beginning. Adding things here, tweeking there, and fixing. Yup, even fixing things that should have been done by the dealer or done properly at the factory or trying to correct a design deficiency. That's what you're getting into when you get a boat. A previous poster said to check things yourself - and check, check, and check again. Right on! Someone else said to open an escrow account - sounds like a good idea if you can do it. If there is something that really needs to be fixed that should give you an excuse. Keep a diary of what hapened when, what was said, and try to ensure that once the dealer has your money they don't forget their obligations. Put it in writing!!! This works best BEFORE you've paid them in full. Check for water leaks, this is a regularly occuring problem. Flood with a hose or maybe use a pressure washer; the dealer might not like the latter but then one doesn't have to wait so long. I had leaks in my V-berth and never knew where they were comming from and found out the water was from the chain locker - the joint between the deck and the chain locker pan was not sealed. After you take ownership of the boat I'd suggest removing EVERY stainless fastner in aluminum and coat it with an anti-sieze compound and reinstalling it. If you don't in a few years you'll never be able to get the screws out. Don't let the things that go wrong (there will be some) ruin your dream. Get past them, it's a part of life, and enjoy your new boat and have lots of good times.
Just got home from working on my boat (H-35) which we bought new in 1988. Noticed that everybody had some really good responses and I'd like to add my two cents worth. So, you're buying a project? We bought a new boat because I didn't have time to work on someone elses problems but it's been a project from the beginning. Adding things here, tweeking there, and fixing. Yup, even fixing things that should have been done by the dealer or done properly at the factory or trying to correct a design deficiency. That's what you're getting into when you get a boat. A previous poster said to check things yourself - and check, check, and check again. Right on! Someone else said to open an escrow account - sounds like a good idea if you can do it. If there is something that really needs to be fixed that should give you an excuse. Keep a diary of what hapened when, what was said, and try to ensure that once the dealer has your money they don't forget their obligations. Put it in writing!!! This works best BEFORE you've paid them in full. Check for water leaks, this is a regularly occuring problem. Flood with a hose or maybe use a pressure washer; the dealer might not like the latter but then one doesn't have to wait so long. I had leaks in my V-berth and never knew where they were comming from and found out the water was from the chain locker - the joint between the deck and the chain locker pan was not sealed. After you take ownership of the boat I'd suggest removing EVERY stainless fastner in aluminum and coat it with an anti-sieze compound and reinstalling it. If you don't in a few years you'll never be able to get the screws out. Don't let the things that go wrong (there will be some) ruin your dream. Get past them, it's a part of life, and enjoy your new boat and have lots of good times.
Boats require TLC
Joyce, What many of us are saying is to thoroughly check your boat over. The dealer should walk you through rigging it and test sailing it with you. Dave Condon did with my H23.5, and Tom Weir did it with my H-26. When you do this shakedown, check everywhere for leaks and problems. If they are with you, it makes it easier to ID the problem and they know what to fix. The second thing to point out is a boat is not a car. It is more like a house that floats and moves around. The marine enviroment is harsh. It corrodes, it stress aand it wears things out. The loads on the rig and sails tend to work things loose. You will always find things to adjust, fix or correct. Very little of this is the fault of the builder, but the nature of boats. If you don't have tools, now is the time to get some and learn how to use them. Every Spring, we go through rituals of waking a sleeping boat, and every Fall I put her to sleep. Good luck and have some patience, Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Joyce, What many of us are saying is to thoroughly check your boat over. The dealer should walk you through rigging it and test sailing it with you. Dave Condon did with my H23.5, and Tom Weir did it with my H-26. When you do this shakedown, check everywhere for leaks and problems. If they are with you, it makes it easier to ID the problem and they know what to fix. The second thing to point out is a boat is not a car. It is more like a house that floats and moves around. The marine enviroment is harsh. It corrodes, it stress aand it wears things out. The loads on the rig and sails tend to work things loose. You will always find things to adjust, fix or correct. Very little of this is the fault of the builder, but the nature of boats. If you don't have tools, now is the time to get some and learn how to use them. Every Spring, we go through rituals of waking a sleeping boat, and every Fall I put her to sleep. Good luck and have some patience, Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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