I'm considering the purchase of a 2000 H340 with the fiberglass arch. In some of the older 340's I know that they had a problem with the arch flexing and gelcoat cracking. Any of you newer 340 owners that don't have the SS arch have this problem? Also, any other H340 problems that I should be aware of. Other than that, I really like the boat.
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Miles
It's a great boat!
We've got a 98 model with the fiberglass arch. It really is a nice boat, I can easily singlehand it just like a little dinghy but there's also plenty of room for family cruising too. The arch hasn't had any problems with cracking or flexing. It does occasionally make a creaking sound in higher windspeeds. I prefer the asthetics of the stainless steel arch but they wern't around when we bought the boat. The arch actually detaches and it would be pretty easy to replace it with a custom stainless one if you wanted. It's great having the traveler right over head plus the bimini. As far as problems I'd have to say that the model tends to be pretty tender, you'll need a reef over 12-15 knots of wind. Performance is actually better that way. The interior is very nice and large but comes at the expense of not very much storage space but it's fine for a week or two cruise. There's really no place to put a deflated dinghy for example. I really haven't seen any real "quality" problems despite all the Hunter bashing that goes on. It's a nice comfortable boat with pretty powerfull rig, great for light air areas. Good luck!
We've got a 98 model with the fiberglass arch. It really is a nice boat, I can easily singlehand it just like a little dinghy but there's also plenty of room for family cruising too. The arch hasn't had any problems with cracking or flexing. It does occasionally make a creaking sound in higher windspeeds. I prefer the asthetics of the stainless steel arch but they wern't around when we bought the boat. The arch actually detaches and it would be pretty easy to replace it with a custom stainless one if you wanted. It's great having the traveler right over head plus the bimini. As far as problems I'd have to say that the model tends to be pretty tender, you'll need a reef over 12-15 knots of wind. Performance is actually better that way. The interior is very nice and large but comes at the expense of not very much storage space but it's fine for a week or two cruise. There's really no place to put a deflated dinghy for example. I really haven't seen any real "quality" problems despite all the Hunter bashing that goes on. It's a nice comfortable boat with pretty powerfull rig, great for light air areas. Good luck!
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Frank Arndorfer
Agree
My boat is a 2001 so I don't have experience with the fiberglass arch, I can also attest for the "greatness" of the 340. It's sailing qualities are great and as mentioned in the previous post, a reef in the main above 14kts keeps it on it's feet and it will still outsail many boats larger in size. It's got decent room (two of us will live on-board for 1-2 wks at a time) and the big cockpit makes a great evening dining or entertaining room.It's tankage capacity is outstanding for a mid-size boat. Don't worry about the lack of dinghy stowage, just tow it behind you. It'll cost you about 1/2kt in speed. Another neat thing about the 340 is it's 'eye' appeal. We seldom enter or leave a marina without someone telling us what a beautiful boat it is. Good luck and enjoy.
My boat is a 2001 so I don't have experience with the fiberglass arch, I can also attest for the "greatness" of the 340. It's sailing qualities are great and as mentioned in the previous post, a reef in the main above 14kts keeps it on it's feet and it will still outsail many boats larger in size. It's got decent room (two of us will live on-board for 1-2 wks at a time) and the big cockpit makes a great evening dining or entertaining room.It's tankage capacity is outstanding for a mid-size boat. Don't worry about the lack of dinghy stowage, just tow it behind you. It'll cost you about 1/2kt in speed. Another neat thing about the 340 is it's 'eye' appeal. We seldom enter or leave a marina without someone telling us what a beautiful boat it is. Good luck and enjoy.
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Dakota Jim Russell
'97 340
The fiberglass arch on our 1997 340 has operated well. No cracking. Rubber bumper on the edge has had to be reseated with 5200. When we hear creaking, we know it is time to tighten the bolts, which we do every couple of years.
The fiberglass arch on our 1997 340 has operated well. No cracking. Rubber bumper on the edge has had to be reseated with 5200. When we hear creaking, we know it is time to tighten the bolts, which we do every couple of years.
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Wynn Ferrel
No cracking on our '98 340
No cracking, no creaking on our '98 340. Quality has been good, but you'll need to repair or replace components from time to time, i.e. water pump, tank indicator moduals that last about 18 months, etc. But, overall, we like our boat a lot. Plenty of room and a nice boat to sail. Reefing is a must at 12-15 knots as has been mentioned. The boat will sail flatter and is far easier to handle. There's a lot of sail up there and the boat is overpowered at higher winds. I like the SS arch, too, but the glass arch is just fine and VERY functional. Traaveler out of the way, anchor for the bimini and a repository for the cockpit speakers. What's not to like? Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
No cracking, no creaking on our '98 340. Quality has been good, but you'll need to repair or replace components from time to time, i.e. water pump, tank indicator moduals that last about 18 months, etc. But, overall, we like our boat a lot. Plenty of room and a nice boat to sail. Reefing is a must at 12-15 knots as has been mentioned. The boat will sail flatter and is far easier to handle. There's a lot of sail up there and the boat is overpowered at higher winds. I like the SS arch, too, but the glass arch is just fine and VERY functional. Traaveler out of the way, anchor for the bimini and a repository for the cockpit speakers. What's not to like? Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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Wayne Estabrooks
1997 With Fiberglass Arch
LDV, No problems with my fiberglass arch. Initially the arch had to be rebed because of the squeaking but never a squeak after my dealer rebedded it with silicone rubber. My boat will have it's 5th birthday in a few days and as per the previous posts it is a great boat. Norton's is a great dealer there in Deltaville too if you need support. There are plenty of us 340 owners out here to ask questions of. I hope you go ahead with the purchase you won't be sorry.
LDV, No problems with my fiberglass arch. Initially the arch had to be rebed because of the squeaking but never a squeak after my dealer rebedded it with silicone rubber. My boat will have it's 5th birthday in a few days and as per the previous posts it is a great boat. Norton's is a great dealer there in Deltaville too if you need support. There are plenty of us 340 owners out here to ask questions of. I hope you go ahead with the purchase you won't be sorry.
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Alan
No problems with fiberglass arch on a 1999 H340
There hasn't been any problems or cracking with the fiberglass arch on my 1999 340. It's a great boat and I'm always getting great complements on the boat where ever I go. If I had it to do over again, I would most certainly would buy a 340. Good luck!
There hasn't been any problems or cracking with the fiberglass arch on my 1999 340. It's a great boat and I'm always getting great complements on the boat where ever I go. If I had it to do over again, I would most certainly would buy a 340. Good luck!
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