I purchased a new Hunter 336 on April 1997. Once it hit the water, it was like being abandoned by a used car salesman. There is not enough room to go into the numerous minor problems that still plague the ship. Hunter did send a replacement pump unit for the head which was cracked and leaked--but the replacement sometimes works and sometimes doesnt. I went through SIX-yes, 6 new batteries before I found the battery charger unit was defective--which I paid to replace. To date, the RPM indicator has never worked, the knot meter quit a year ago, the depth finder doesnt work, the running lights work now and then, and the stereo has a short. Oh, did I mention the tank indicators have never worked properly. The dealer says the warranty is out, but the problems were brought to their attention before the expiration. I had written Hunter in Sept 97, called in Dec 97, and E mailed a few months ago. For all my efforts, I have received two coffee mugs.
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call again
I'm surprised to hear your lament, Richard, because my dealings with the Customer Service Department at Hunter have been extremely satisfactory. They always return calls promptly, and have gone to great lengths to solve problems on my boat. At one point, after a couple of refrigerator repairmen had been unable to solve a reefer problem, they flew one of their own engineers from florida to my boat (in california) to fix the system. During my one-year warranty period, my dealer fixed five or six extensive punch lists, each of which involved 10-20 man-hours of labor. When I suffered a furling system breakdown offshore, parts were shipped overnight express to the closest Hunter dealer (I bought the boat in San Francisco, this one was in LA) who made it an immediate priority to assist me so that I could continue with my cruise. Even after the one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty expired, when I've had problems still covered under other manufacturer's warranty, Hunter has been of assistance. For example, I recently burned out a windlass motor, and called Hunter for advice. They called Simpson Lawrence, and I had an S/L factory representative visit my boat a day later. He arranged for a new motor to by shipped immediately...........Anyway, I suggest you call hunter customer service and chat with one of the fellows about your situation, they are strongly committed to getting the boats right.
I'm surprised to hear your lament, Richard, because my dealings with the Customer Service Department at Hunter have been extremely satisfactory. They always return calls promptly, and have gone to great lengths to solve problems on my boat. At one point, after a couple of refrigerator repairmen had been unable to solve a reefer problem, they flew one of their own engineers from florida to my boat (in california) to fix the system. During my one-year warranty period, my dealer fixed five or six extensive punch lists, each of which involved 10-20 man-hours of labor. When I suffered a furling system breakdown offshore, parts were shipped overnight express to the closest Hunter dealer (I bought the boat in San Francisco, this one was in LA) who made it an immediate priority to assist me so that I could continue with my cruise. Even after the one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty expired, when I've had problems still covered under other manufacturer's warranty, Hunter has been of assistance. For example, I recently burned out a windlass motor, and called Hunter for advice. They called Simpson Lawrence, and I had an S/L factory representative visit my boat a day later. He arranged for a new motor to by shipped immediately...........Anyway, I suggest you call hunter customer service and chat with one of the fellows about your situation, they are strongly committed to getting the boats right.
Not the norm.
Richard: I think that your problems are really not the norm for most owners. The problem is probably your dealer. I would contact Warren Luhrs with a certified letter and iterate ALL of your problems in detail with any out of pocket expenses associated with these problems. This sounds like a lack of communications between the deal and Hunter. It is not like the dealer does not get paid for fixing this stuff. Also don't be too bashful in mentioning the dealer on the web site. When they gets "wind" of it maybe they will get off the ass and help you out. It is trully unfortunate that situations like this need to happen.
Richard: I think that your problems are really not the norm for most owners. The problem is probably your dealer. I would contact Warren Luhrs with a certified letter and iterate ALL of your problems in detail with any out of pocket expenses associated with these problems. This sounds like a lack of communications between the deal and Hunter. It is not like the dealer does not get paid for fixing this stuff. Also don't be too bashful in mentioning the dealer on the web site. When they gets "wind" of it maybe they will get off the ass and help you out. It is trully unfortunate that situations like this need to happen.
should still be covered
Sorry to hear of all the problems. If you brought the issues to their attention BEFORE the warranty expired, that "specific" problem should still be repaired free of charge under the original warranty. Do you have any dated correspondence that could substantiate this?? I don't think that the warranty work needs to be done "while in the warranty period" just as long as the initial contact and explanation of the problem is brought to their attention before the warranty ends. If that was the case, then any dealer could drag their feet on items that are brought to their attention close to the end of the warranty period and say "oops, sorry the warranty period is now over and the boat isn't covered anymore". Sometimes repairs started in the warranty period are not solved quickly and drag into the expiration stage and still should be covered. Hopefully you have writted proof that these were discussed before expiration. I guess the lesson to all of us is to bring all repair punch lists to the dealer IN WRITING". Roc
Sorry to hear of all the problems. If you brought the issues to their attention BEFORE the warranty expired, that "specific" problem should still be repaired free of charge under the original warranty. Do you have any dated correspondence that could substantiate this?? I don't think that the warranty work needs to be done "while in the warranty period" just as long as the initial contact and explanation of the problem is brought to their attention before the warranty ends. If that was the case, then any dealer could drag their feet on items that are brought to their attention close to the end of the warranty period and say "oops, sorry the warranty period is now over and the boat isn't covered anymore". Sometimes repairs started in the warranty period are not solved quickly and drag into the expiration stage and still should be covered. Hopefully you have writted proof that these were discussed before expiration. I guess the lesson to all of us is to bring all repair punch lists to the dealer IN WRITING". Roc
6 batteries??
Not to be critical but I would think after the 2nd or 3rd battery in such a short time, one would have looked for some root cause of failure rather than keep throwing money away in the form of lead and acid. I can't say anything bad about Hunter and the few issues I've had with my 42. bw
Not to be critical but I would think after the 2nd or 3rd battery in such a short time, one would have looked for some root cause of failure rather than keep throwing money away in the form of lead and acid. I can't say anything bad about Hunter and the few issues I've had with my 42. bw
Your Guest charger is frying batteries
I went through the same thing, but it only took me three batteries to figure it out. The bottom line is, the Guest battery charger (I'm guessing that's what you have) is not made to recharge a house load and draw of the size we placing on our systems. I had the dealer install A/B refrigeration on my boat and I leave it running all week when I am away from the boat. The charger gets locked into the fast charge mode and fries the batteries --- i.e. boils the water out of them. Guest says their Model 2830, which came with my 340, will not handle the job (Why was it installed in the first place???), but they have a new Model 2830A which will do the job. Frankly, I would get rid of the Guest charger all together and get a Newmar PT-20CE. I paid about $475 for it, but it is a high quality piece of equipment. You can see immediately from the case, the manual and the construction that the Newmar charger is a superior charger to the Guest. I have suggested to Phil that he should host a dual guest forum with on representative on a battery company (like Interstate) and another rep from a battery charger company (like Newmar) to debunk the battery problems as it relates to new Hunters. I am a little put out that I went through $250 worth of batteries before I found out that the battery charger was not made to handle the type of use typically found on my size boat. Granted, there are other chargers that can be optionally ordered with your new boat. But, if you buy your boat from a dealer without intimate knowledge of chargers and their shortcomings, you will throw away a couple of hundred bucks on batteries while you are getting to the root of the problem. With a "dual forum" there would be no finger-pointing between the battery rep and the charger rep and HOW participants could get a valuable education on what chargers can and can't do. Just my .02 cents worth. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
I went through the same thing, but it only took me three batteries to figure it out. The bottom line is, the Guest battery charger (I'm guessing that's what you have) is not made to recharge a house load and draw of the size we placing on our systems. I had the dealer install A/B refrigeration on my boat and I leave it running all week when I am away from the boat. The charger gets locked into the fast charge mode and fries the batteries --- i.e. boils the water out of them. Guest says their Model 2830, which came with my 340, will not handle the job (Why was it installed in the first place???), but they have a new Model 2830A which will do the job. Frankly, I would get rid of the Guest charger all together and get a Newmar PT-20CE. I paid about $475 for it, but it is a high quality piece of equipment. You can see immediately from the case, the manual and the construction that the Newmar charger is a superior charger to the Guest. I have suggested to Phil that he should host a dual guest forum with on representative on a battery company (like Interstate) and another rep from a battery charger company (like Newmar) to debunk the battery problems as it relates to new Hunters. I am a little put out that I went through $250 worth of batteries before I found out that the battery charger was not made to handle the type of use typically found on my size boat. Granted, there are other chargers that can be optionally ordered with your new boat. But, if you buy your boat from a dealer without intimate knowledge of chargers and their shortcomings, you will throw away a couple of hundred bucks on batteries while you are getting to the root of the problem. With a "dual forum" there would be no finger-pointing between the battery rep and the charger rep and HOW participants could get a valuable education on what chargers can and can't do. Just my .02 cents worth. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
I Fully Understand
I just launched a 1999 Model 340 this year (my 3rd Hunter) and if there is a lemon law for boats I have a candidate. After a frustrating summer of sailing the boat is currently going into winter storage with a list of problems. The dealer and I will pick up where we left off come spring. I wish Hunter were more pro active with it's customers. It would help! Thanks!
I just launched a 1999 Model 340 this year (my 3rd Hunter) and if there is a lemon law for boats I have a candidate. After a frustrating summer of sailing the boat is currently going into winter storage with a list of problems. The dealer and I will pick up where we left off come spring. I wish Hunter were more pro active with it's customers. It would help! Thanks!
3rd Hunter
I am on my 3rd Hunter with all boats being a 91 model. The first boat I got new. I had a long list of things that needed to be fixed. It took almost the full year but we did get things fixed. Alot of the things could of been taken care of before the boat left the factory. Boat number 1 was a 33.5. Boat number 2 was a 37.5. That boat was 4 years old. Some of the things that I had with both boats was voids in the rudder and the cushins were coming apart. The ones on the 33.5 came apart after 6 months. Boat number 3 is a passage 42. I have a list of things that I have fixed, but alot of it was not Hunter fault. There are alot more systems on the 42 than other boats. When I was getting the things fixed on boat number 1 Hunter was very good about fixing things. The dealer was another matter. I was told that they only got $24 hr. to fix something and it cost them $48 hr. to do the work. Also because of the type of work that I do, we did look at things on the boat alot closer than most people. We love our Passage 42 and plan on keeping it along time. Have looked at the new boats but nothing makes us want to step up to anything else.
I am on my 3rd Hunter with all boats being a 91 model. The first boat I got new. I had a long list of things that needed to be fixed. It took almost the full year but we did get things fixed. Alot of the things could of been taken care of before the boat left the factory. Boat number 1 was a 33.5. Boat number 2 was a 37.5. That boat was 4 years old. Some of the things that I had with both boats was voids in the rudder and the cushins were coming apart. The ones on the 33.5 came apart after 6 months. Boat number 3 is a passage 42. I have a list of things that I have fixed, but alot of it was not Hunter fault. There are alot more systems on the 42 than other boats. When I was getting the things fixed on boat number 1 Hunter was very good about fixing things. The dealer was another matter. I was told that they only got $24 hr. to fix something and it cost them $48 hr. to do the work. Also because of the type of work that I do, we did look at things on the boat alot closer than most people. We love our Passage 42 and plan on keeping it along time. Have looked at the new boats but nothing makes us want to step up to anything else.
A new Hunter owner Responds
After 3 Catalinas, I bought the new H460 hull number ONE. By the way it's one terrific boat, but thats not the point. Have I had problems with the boat...sure I have, lots of them, but I expected to have things that needed to be fixed on a new boat. I don't know of any new boat that doesn't have a "Punch List" of items that need to be fixed. My dealer (Sailing Specialties in Mystic, CT)has been GREAT. Most of the items on the punch lists have been taken care of and hopefully by next weekend all of them will be. They have been extremely helpful in the commissioning process as well as after they had all my money. They have always called me back in a timely manner and never gave me any BS. I must say that my first experience in purchasing a Hunter has been very favorable. I had an occassion to call Hunter only once and spoke to Eddie Breeden...He was terrific. He faxed the information I wanted just minutes after we hung up. I do believe that Richards problem is a lousy dealer. They should of dealt with his problems, not forced him to contact Hunter. IMHO. Mark Johnson S/V Anthem H460
After 3 Catalinas, I bought the new H460 hull number ONE. By the way it's one terrific boat, but thats not the point. Have I had problems with the boat...sure I have, lots of them, but I expected to have things that needed to be fixed on a new boat. I don't know of any new boat that doesn't have a "Punch List" of items that need to be fixed. My dealer (Sailing Specialties in Mystic, CT)has been GREAT. Most of the items on the punch lists have been taken care of and hopefully by next weekend all of them will be. They have been extremely helpful in the commissioning process as well as after they had all my money. They have always called me back in a timely manner and never gave me any BS. I must say that my first experience in purchasing a Hunter has been very favorable. I had an occassion to call Hunter only once and spoke to Eddie Breeden...He was terrific. He faxed the information I wanted just minutes after we hung up. I do believe that Richards problem is a lousy dealer. They should of dealt with his problems, not forced him to contact Hunter. IMHO. Mark Johnson S/V Anthem H460
Attitude is Everything
I think attitude is important. Im talking about the attitude and the dealer AND the attitude of the buyer. This is true in any sales relationship. We have the P42. It has many systems, many things to break or not work correctly. Our dealer, Norton's Yacht Sales, could not have worked harder and been nicer about getting the boat absolutely right before the first year was up. Not that there was much wrong. But a couple of the problems were perplexing. But they got it all right. [These folks will be an the Annapolis Show with a H460, so say Hi.] But I think we were fairly easy to deal with too. If we had not been, it is just simple human nature for people to want to avoid upleasant people. Be reasonable, be polite, be informed, cooperative and you will usually get the service you are seeking.
I think attitude is important. Im talking about the attitude and the dealer AND the attitude of the buyer. This is true in any sales relationship. We have the P42. It has many systems, many things to break or not work correctly. Our dealer, Norton's Yacht Sales, could not have worked harder and been nicer about getting the boat absolutely right before the first year was up. Not that there was much wrong. But a couple of the problems were perplexing. But they got it all right. [These folks will be an the Annapolis Show with a H460, so say Hi.] But I think we were fairly easy to deal with too. If we had not been, it is just simple human nature for people to want to avoid upleasant people. Be reasonable, be polite, be informed, cooperative and you will usually get the service you are seeking.
My two cents...
I may have mentioned this before, but Hunter customer support has been superb! Thanks again, Greg, Eddie, and Jeff. My dealer took the money and ran! Bad things happen to bad people... Strictly Nautical, in the Carolinas is out of business, and none too soon! But Hunter has been great about helping me to complete the punch list on my 430, which was 4 pages long, single spaced. Too bad it wasn't finished at the factory and at the dealership. Now I know the true meaning of "Some assembly required", like on a TV cart you buy at K-Mart. We thought someone must have died on the boat and left his ghost behind. But again, thanks to Hunter factory report, we've got it almost finished, and it only took 1 1/2 years! Y'know, it used to be like that in the auto industry. The car manufacturers calculated that they had to complete a car to a certain percentage of perfection, and that it was more economical to have the dealers finish the job under warranty than to spend the extra time and effort at the factory. The Japanese proved them wrong, and we have a better American product now as a result. Maybe the production boat industry is now where they were 10-15 years ago.
I may have mentioned this before, but Hunter customer support has been superb! Thanks again, Greg, Eddie, and Jeff. My dealer took the money and ran! Bad things happen to bad people... Strictly Nautical, in the Carolinas is out of business, and none too soon! But Hunter has been great about helping me to complete the punch list on my 430, which was 4 pages long, single spaced. Too bad it wasn't finished at the factory and at the dealership. Now I know the true meaning of "Some assembly required", like on a TV cart you buy at K-Mart. We thought someone must have died on the boat and left his ghost behind. But again, thanks to Hunter factory report, we've got it almost finished, and it only took 1 1/2 years! Y'know, it used to be like that in the auto industry. The car manufacturers calculated that they had to complete a car to a certain percentage of perfection, and that it was more economical to have the dealers finish the job under warranty than to spend the extra time and effort at the factory. The Japanese proved them wrong, and we have a better American product now as a result. Maybe the production boat industry is now where they were 10-15 years ago.
Take a deep breath- - - - - -
I purchased a new Passage 42 in 1993 and went through some "new boat" problems which, while aggravating as heck, wound up resolved to my satisfaction. The problems were addressed by both dealer and Hunter. I recently purchased a new Passage 450 and again went through the problems of a new boat with both dealer and Hunter. All in all, Hunter has "basically" stood behind each of my "gripes" with a single exception that is still to be resolved. I have known owners of other makes with the same problems that have paid a heck of a lot more for their boats. I believe Hunter puts out a good boat for the money and that they stand behind the product. I also believe that half the battle is the dealer from which you purchase the boat. Your relationship with him and his relationship with Hunter are key to your satisfaction. The Hunter dealer in San Diego has been absolutely great with after sale service and support. While Hunter may be good, this dealer makes them exceptional. Needless to say I am a fairly happy camper. It sounds like your dealer might be part of your problem.
I purchased a new Passage 42 in 1993 and went through some "new boat" problems which, while aggravating as heck, wound up resolved to my satisfaction. The problems were addressed by both dealer and Hunter. I recently purchased a new Passage 450 and again went through the problems of a new boat with both dealer and Hunter. All in all, Hunter has "basically" stood behind each of my "gripes" with a single exception that is still to be resolved. I have known owners of other makes with the same problems that have paid a heck of a lot more for their boats. I believe Hunter puts out a good boat for the money and that they stand behind the product. I also believe that half the battle is the dealer from which you purchase the boat. Your relationship with him and his relationship with Hunter are key to your satisfaction. The Hunter dealer in San Diego has been absolutely great with after sale service and support. While Hunter may be good, this dealer makes them exceptional. Needless to say I am a fairly happy camper. It sounds like your dealer might be part of your problem.
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