Dazed and Confused

Stu Jackson · Jul 30, 2012

Hunter makes nice boats and there is a lively and active support group right here on this board.

With your height, I'm sure the C34 would be challenging to you. The C36 has pretty much the same headroom. Have you considered a C350 or C320. My understanding is that they both have increased headroom.

You also should check any boat you look at to see if the main sleeping arrangements work for your "length."

For looking at boats, try this:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=102541

In addition to your "visual attraction" check the differences in the quality and size of the deck hardware. Don't forget the condition of the engine. Even though it's a sailboat, it will be used a lot, especially on the river.

That said, go take another look at a C34. You just might "fit"

except for the handhold in the saloon right above the galley sink. The V berth is the largest in its boat size class. HUGE.

quadrille38 · Jul 31, 2012

All production boats will have their positives and their negatives. Heck, even higher end custom boats will have compromises. Its a question of the manufacturer trying to get all the features at a price point the customer will accept.

I've owned a 22 ft S2 Yacht. They were noted for their superior glass work and fit and finish. On the the other hand, it had limited interior features to hit the price point.
I then bought an O'Day 28 ft boat. Solidly built but again had some down side features such as a 2 cycle OMC sail drive for an engine.
Next had a Catalina 34 for 17 years. Loved the boat, loved the way it sailed, the quality was good. Although I can tell you there were shortcomings. Ice box had no insulation, water and holding tank vents were inside the stanchions and were a regular leak challenge. It was a good boat, I'd recommend it highly, but it was a production boat, not custom made.

2 years ago we traded it for Brand new Hunter 38 footer. We love it too. Lots of great features, quality is good, but that's not to say we haven't had issues. Gel coat voids have popped and needed repairs.
Hunter builds a good boat, but like every manufacturer, they are trying to get as many features as the consumer demands at a price the consumer will be willing to pay.

It can even vary model year by model year, model by model, and even boat by boat.

So find a boat, get a survey and know that unless you are willing to spend a whole lot of money there are going to be compromises made

kloudie1 · Jul 31, 2012

I find that most folks who have bad things to say about Hunters have never sailed one or even been on one.. It is like Mercedes people talkiing down Ford or Chebby.. They aren't the same for sure, but ALL are worthwhile cars.. I have a good bit of experience on a 35.5 and a 37.5 .. both were fine sailing boats and pretty quick as well .. there are some known glitches , but that is the same for all boats ! Find something ya like and talk to some owners ... and engage a good surveyor who is familiar with whichever boat you are looking at .. Know that there will be projects to be completed and maintenance to be done.. but like that guy said... nothing quite so much fun as just messing around in boats..

SailingIsis · Jul 31, 2012

I tried to buy a Hunter 35.5 a little over four years ago. Absolutely loved everything about that boat. I made an offer of 55k, owner was asking 63k and declined my offer....I felt like I lost something special until a month later I saw my first H410. The accommodations that come with a boat over 40' will blow your mind. I understand we all have a budget to work from, but if you have a chance please take a look at something in the 40' range. This will fit everything you might ever need for a cruising lifestyle and you'll never regret making that decision. Good luck and look at many boats before you pull the trigger, I think you learn something from each boat you visit.

Les · Jul 31, 2012

Hey, RainyDay. I owned a Hunter 35.5 for five years. It is still one of my top boats to own and to sail (I've had 10 new boats and five were Hunters). My racing crew and I won 'Boat of the Year' with that Hunter in the Bellingham area, i.e. we won or placed higher then all the other boats racing that year. It is a great boat. We also cruised aboard it throughout the San Juan and Gulf islands and up to Princess Louisa and Desolation Sound. I was going to take it to the West side of Vancouver Island but one of my best friends and first mate on the racing crew died suddenly. I traded it in on a Hunter 380 and quit racing. But the Hunter 35.5 is one of my all time favorites.

It is well built (as are all Hunters) and is a joy to sail. Were i buying that boat today, I would add a Max prop, a Webasto furnace and a good dodger for the northwest mist.

Good luck and have fun.

Bill Jones · Jul 31, 2012

I suggest you make the most out of your time prior to getting a boat by taking boating/navigation classes. I'm sure you have a United States Power Squadron in your area. For the cost of membership and books, you get great instruction on seamanship, piloting, rules of the road and much, much more. Boating is a wonderful way of life, but it pays to do it with knowledge and safety.

stuart.hamer · Jul 31, 2012

I have lived aboard my 1994 Hunter 35.5 for almost 4 years, the last 18 months being with my girlfriend (now wife).

The rear birth stretches far as can accommodate tall people such as yourself, perhaps better than many larger boats. Inside the cabin may be a little cramped with not much room to move beside each other, at least compared to larger boats.

If your max budget is $50k then I would say the 35.5 is an excellent choice. I have not had any issues with the boat and it is a fun boat to sail - and pretty fast.

My father in law has a Catalina 34. If you like to sail with a bunch of people the cockpit in the Catalina can handle a couple more people but in every other respect I'd rather have my Hunter. We raced one time and I won convincingly.

Personally I wish I had bought a bigger boat, maybe the 37.5 or the 40.5 as a full time liveaboard but for the price you cannot beat the 35.5. All Hunters are built well but I would say the Legend series are the best.

And, yes, I have had the boat snobs in my marina belittle my Hunter. But I'm faster than they are and have more fun sailing and get out more often. I'm just not set up for an ocean crossing, which these people seem to believe is a must for all sailboats. Furthest I've taken it is from San Diego to Catalina Island, about 90 miles each way. It is perfectly adequate for coastal cruising and for what you intend.

Stuart.

garybuyit · Aug 4, 2012

buying/sailing Hunter sailboats

RainyDaySailor said:
Hello All
My girlfriend and I chartered a 34' Catalina on the Puget Sound a couple of years back and fell in love with the cruising life. Neither of us new how to sail, but we had a good friend with tons of experience at the helm. All of the kids are moved out and the cat's years are numbered, so now we are obsessing about a new boat. We have decided that a 34' to 36' would fit our needs. I am 6'2"+, so head room is important. For the first couple of years, we will be sailing on the Mighty Columbia. Once comfortable, the Puget Sound and vicinity. At this time, I not not even considering the open ocean, but you never know about the future. Coastal cruising, however, seems more likely. Livability is very important to us. We plan to do extended cruising once we retire. Since I don't have the experience to sail the boat from faraway places, I am trying to find something in the northwest. So far, I have only seen one boat in person that I like and can afford. It is a 1994 Hunter Legend 35.5. There seems to be a lot of people with opinions about Hunter boats, not all of them flattering. I love the way the boat looks inside and out. I have also heard they are good sailing boats. I also like the Beneteau Oceanis 350 and the Benteau 35s5 First late 80's early 90's. I can get any one of these for under $50k. If I hadn't ready so many negative things about the Hunter, I might own it by now. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have experience with a Hunter Legend.

**************************************************************
Rainy Day . . .
I have tremendous amount of experience with Hunter sailboats. Have been selling them for 30+ years. Have owned several, including a Hunter 45 which I lived aboard for 2 years, and a 1990 Hunter 35.5, in which I won the West Marine Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Hawaii. (double-handed class) The race was much easier than sailing the boat offshore from Seattle to SF for the start. Boat name was "Another Child". In fact at the time of the race, (1990), although living in Seattle, I was still a member of Portland Yacht club, and we flew the PYC burgee in the race. I would happily sail that boat almost anywhere in the world. (not around Cape Horn)

I would be happy to answer specific questions, and in fact, help you make the right decisions. Write to me at: garybuyit@gmail.com
Cordially,
Gary B.

lnikl · Aug 5, 2012

In defense of Hunters

I have to admit that when I was looking for a boat, I had heard all the snobbery about Hunter boats and was put off of them. Fast forward, I informed myself and here I am with a hunter. I think it comes from the fact that they are comfortable boats. The pure racers seem to dislike a boat unless it it shaped like a pencil with 4' of headroom. That is great if you are only going to race. If you are into cruising as are you and I, the that comfort is key. There is nothing wrong with how a hunter sails either! Nobody wants to be the last person in the anchorage and Hunters certainly are not.

The second snobbery cause is because they are, no surprise a very successful production boat and they are able to have good quality and a good price point. Some people. Fact is, they are well made boats that are filled with happy owners.

I love my Hunter 34. It has all that I would want except a walk through transom. That seemed to push me into newer boats outside my price point but I can live with it for now.

Don't walk away from a good (have a survey done) Hunter at the right price. The fact that they are so successful a boat means a large community of people who have had experience and can offer advice and solutions. Now, time to get ready for an afternoon on English Bay.....

garybuyit · Aug 5, 2012

That Pineapple carbon mainsail is a much, much better sail than the original sail from the factory. It probably cost $4,000+/- when new from Pineapple. Assuming it is still servicable, it definitely adds value to the boat. How much depends on what shape the sail is in now.
Gary B.

Jim Ormond · Aug 6, 2012

Support from other sailors

If you end up choosing a Hunter, a nice thing to know as a Columbia River sailor is that Hunter Sailing Association of Oregon is a very active owners group where you can meet lots of other Hunter owners, get together on monthly cruises April through October, and generally get to learn the ins and outs of your boat from others who have a lot of experience with them.

Check out http://huntersailingoforegon.org