I'm going to be buying a new boat very soon. (hopefully within the next week or so) I am currently considering three different boats, one of them is a 1980 Hunter 27, the others are a '79 Catalina 27, and an '80 San Juan 28. I keep hearing a lot of pros and cons about the Hunter and would like some honest opinions. Here is what I am hearing and would like an opinion on; Pointing and weather helm, for the most part I hear that the Hunter does not point well - this makes sense knowing how wide the boat is and where the jib cars need to be place, but every now and then I hear someone say the boat "loves to go into the wind" or "points really high", are they just high? what's the real story here. The 2nd thing is quality. It seems that on other sites when people compare the Hunter to the Catalina, they consider the Hunter quality slightly less. I dont really understand this, to me the Huter appears to have equal, if not higher qualitiy of workmaship. Are the Catalina owners just jelous of the teak and holly sole or do the really prefer carpet? I would like the opinon of some Hunter owners or maybe someone who has owned both. Overall, I probably prefer the Hunter, but I keep hearing negative things. I know every boat is a compromise of what the owner feels is important. I'm not a racer, but I'm buying a sail boat to sail, as well as spend time on. Sorry for the long article, but any honest responses would be appreciated. Oh yea, this boat has the Renault deisel, is that a problem?
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Current condition
All of these boats are 20 years old. I would be more concerned about current condition and how well each boat has been maintained than dockside talk. I believe that all of these boats were of similar quality when new. You might pick your favorite and order a survey. If the survey reveals problems, move on to your next choice. With boats of this vintage, variance in sail condition can really seperate the boats. The boat with new sail will outperform the boat with blownout rags. Good luck and happy sailing.
All of these boats are 20 years old. I would be more concerned about current condition and how well each boat has been maintained than dockside talk. I believe that all of these boats were of similar quality when new. You might pick your favorite and order a survey. If the survey reveals problems, move on to your next choice. With boats of this vintage, variance in sail condition can really seperate the boats. The boat with new sail will outperform the boat with blownout rags. Good luck and happy sailing.
1983 Hunter 27
We have had our 1983 Hunter27 for three seasons now. I feel it is an excellent first boat. I have sailed very close to the wind with both a 150 and Jib and have no problem hitting hull speed. The boat is very stable, and will handle more that I can and just about anything Lake Michigan can put out. For the price, and support of sites like this i have found no better bargain. Matt.
We have had our 1983 Hunter27 for three seasons now. I feel it is an excellent first boat. I have sailed very close to the wind with both a 150 and Jib and have no problem hitting hull speed. The boat is very stable, and will handle more that I can and just about anything Lake Michigan can put out. For the price, and support of sites like this i have found no better bargain. Matt.
Hunter--2 thumbs up
Catalina has the advantage of superb parts support from the factory--after all, look at the length of the production run of the Cat. 27. In every other way (except for the Renault diesel), Hunter wins--according to my wife and me. The diesel is sturdy but underpowered, and getting parts is a hassle. Engine access, however, is unsurpassed. That is, excellent. The boat sails beautifully, is well and sturdily made, and has a gorgeous and well-laidout interior. And do not forget the boat's most outstanding points: wide side decks and 10--count 'em--10 opening ports. Lotsa parts are from outfits that are out of business, but you face that with any 20-year old 27 foot boat. For the price, and assuming that the boat you're looking at is in good shape, you can't beat the H27. PS--Last year, when we were getting off our H27 to the harbor tender, a 10 year old boy said "What a neat boat". You can't buy that sort of unsolicited praise!
Catalina has the advantage of superb parts support from the factory--after all, look at the length of the production run of the Cat. 27. In every other way (except for the Renault diesel), Hunter wins--according to my wife and me. The diesel is sturdy but underpowered, and getting parts is a hassle. Engine access, however, is unsurpassed. That is, excellent. The boat sails beautifully, is well and sturdily made, and has a gorgeous and well-laidout interior. And do not forget the boat's most outstanding points: wide side decks and 10--count 'em--10 opening ports. Lotsa parts are from outfits that are out of business, but you face that with any 20-year old 27 foot boat. For the price, and assuming that the boat you're looking at is in good shape, you can't beat the H27. PS--Last year, when we were getting off our H27 to the harbor tender, a 10 year old boy said "What a neat boat". You can't buy that sort of unsolicited praise!
Rick is right
I prefer the interior layout and headroom of the hunter. I also like the looks of the hunter better and am happy with the sail perfomance (keeping in mind it's a cruiser not a racer). But Rick hit the nail on the head. If I had my choice between a well maintained Catalina with ongoing upgrades and newer sails against a Hunter that needs lots of work and has blown out sails, I would take the boat that will let you be sailing next weekend instead of replacing a holding tank or waiting for a loft to finish the sails you were forced to replace. My final suggestion: Since the Hunter seems to have your favor and pointing ability and weather helm are of issue, have the prospective seller take you out on her. Get them to get things in good trim (as they know the boat), take the helm, point as high as you can and see how the helm feels in a puff. I guarantee you that 5 minutes at the helm in a good breeze will be worth 10,000 posted responses. With my experience with Hunter, you will be pleased with performance. Fair winds and happy buying. Doug
I prefer the interior layout and headroom of the hunter. I also like the looks of the hunter better and am happy with the sail perfomance (keeping in mind it's a cruiser not a racer). But Rick hit the nail on the head. If I had my choice between a well maintained Catalina with ongoing upgrades and newer sails against a Hunter that needs lots of work and has blown out sails, I would take the boat that will let you be sailing next weekend instead of replacing a holding tank or waiting for a loft to finish the sails you were forced to replace. My final suggestion: Since the Hunter seems to have your favor and pointing ability and weather helm are of issue, have the prospective seller take you out on her. Get them to get things in good trim (as they know the boat), take the helm, point as high as you can and see how the helm feels in a puff. I guarantee you that 5 minutes at the helm in a good breeze will be worth 10,000 posted responses. With my experience with Hunter, you will be pleased with performance. Fair winds and happy buying. Doug
I got a good buy, but share your questions
We just bought a '77 Shallow Draft Hunter 27, and are quite pleased with our experiences sailing it over the past 8 weeks (including 5 nights onboard.) We thought the Hunter 27 had a slightly more spacious cabin than the Catalina 27's in the same price range. Ended up choosing the Hunter 27 over a Catalina 30 because of her shallow draft (Lake Erie is low this year, and the Catalina wouldn't have made it into the marina 5 minutes from our house.) I understood that a shallow draft (and the keel shape) would exact some penalties in pointing to windward, and it does. (See my other note on this subject) How much of our problem is from baggy sails, location of the jib fairleads, and inexperience in a displacement hull, I don't know. But we don't plan on long beats to windward as we cruie the lake, and we are not racing, so the we are very happy so far. After a day with an experienced instructor, we are able to point pretty well, but still make good (by GPS) only 65 degrees off the wind at 12-15 Knots. However, the biggest reason for our happiness, is that our broker helped us find a boat in good condition, and a really good surveyor confirmed that fact, and gave us a "to do" list that looked manageable. We saw a number of boats around the $9,000 we paid that had structural, mechanical, or rigging issues that would have cost us weeks and many "boat units" (= $100 each) to put right.
We just bought a '77 Shallow Draft Hunter 27, and are quite pleased with our experiences sailing it over the past 8 weeks (including 5 nights onboard.) We thought the Hunter 27 had a slightly more spacious cabin than the Catalina 27's in the same price range. Ended up choosing the Hunter 27 over a Catalina 30 because of her shallow draft (Lake Erie is low this year, and the Catalina wouldn't have made it into the marina 5 minutes from our house.) I understood that a shallow draft (and the keel shape) would exact some penalties in pointing to windward, and it does. (See my other note on this subject) How much of our problem is from baggy sails, location of the jib fairleads, and inexperience in a displacement hull, I don't know. But we don't plan on long beats to windward as we cruie the lake, and we are not racing, so the we are very happy so far. After a day with an experienced instructor, we are able to point pretty well, but still make good (by GPS) only 65 degrees off the wind at 12-15 Knots. However, the biggest reason for our happiness, is that our broker helped us find a boat in good condition, and a really good surveyor confirmed that fact, and gave us a "to do" list that looked manageable. We saw a number of boats around the $9,000 we paid that had structural, mechanical, or rigging issues that would have cost us weeks and many "boat units" (= $100 each) to put right.
Compare
pros: anchor ewell, 8 opening ports, 2 hatches, dbl bow & stern pulpits, dbl life lines, 16" wide side decks, full coaming, seaspray hood, T shaped cockpit, diese aux. eng. pedestal steering, high aspect rig, dbl lower shrouds, eliptical spreaders, s/s spreader sockets, open bronze turnbuckles, split back stay, a masthead topping lift, jiffy reefing, internal halyards to cockpit, the best interior layout on the 80's market. Catalina and san Juan DO NOT have any of these! cons: a bridge deck, jib sheet tracks, and cars w/blocks, main sail traveler sys.but i perfer the block sys hunter has w/ 4to 1 boomvang, The Catalina has a tall rig, which is 1 1/2 ft shorter t6han the Hunter rig, it als has a companionway opening to allow a 400 lb human down below, with a umungus sliding hatch, the San Juan is a racer, and is built very light, and they were not built too well Now that i've given you the facts, you decide.
pros: anchor ewell, 8 opening ports, 2 hatches, dbl bow & stern pulpits, dbl life lines, 16" wide side decks, full coaming, seaspray hood, T shaped cockpit, diese aux. eng. pedestal steering, high aspect rig, dbl lower shrouds, eliptical spreaders, s/s spreader sockets, open bronze turnbuckles, split back stay, a masthead topping lift, jiffy reefing, internal halyards to cockpit, the best interior layout on the 80's market. Catalina and san Juan DO NOT have any of these! cons: a bridge deck, jib sheet tracks, and cars w/blocks, main sail traveler sys.but i perfer the block sys hunter has w/ 4to 1 boomvang, The Catalina has a tall rig, which is 1 1/2 ft shorter t6han the Hunter rig, it als has a companionway opening to allow a 400 lb human down below, with a umungus sliding hatch, the San Juan is a racer, and is built very light, and they were not built too well Now that i've given you the facts, you decide.
Hunters vs Catalinas
My first Hunter was a 1983 H22. Currently I own a 1989 H27-2. In the case of Hunters, it makes a big difference in which year model you are looking at. Warren Lhurs has stated something to the effect ".. I don't want to compete with my own boats.." Catalina has been vry concistant in their design. Hunter has varied their designs considerably onver the last twenty years. I personally have always liked the older Hunters, which I think were all designed by Cheribina(sp?). Some of the other designs look like a "Clorox bottle with a stick." The older models were well built, sailed well, and offered many advantages, such as interior layout and good deck hardware. I like Catalina too, and I would go with the boat that is in the best condition. You really can't go wrong with either a Hunter or a Catalina of the same period.
My first Hunter was a 1983 H22. Currently I own a 1989 H27-2. In the case of Hunters, it makes a big difference in which year model you are looking at. Warren Lhurs has stated something to the effect ".. I don't want to compete with my own boats.." Catalina has been vry concistant in their design. Hunter has varied their designs considerably onver the last twenty years. I personally have always liked the older Hunters, which I think were all designed by Cheribina(sp?). Some of the other designs look like a "Clorox bottle with a stick." The older models were well built, sailed well, and offered many advantages, such as interior layout and good deck hardware. I like Catalina too, and I would go with the boat that is in the best condition. You really can't go wrong with either a Hunter or a Catalina of the same period.
1980 h27
My 1980 H27 does not point up well and has very strong weather helm. With only 3.3 draft the shoal draft model does not point up well. A lot also depends on sail combination. I bought a 135 Genoa and think a 120 would be better. A well-made main sail makes a big difference too. Renault diesel is hard to get parts for. (mine was replaced with a 10hp Kubota) Agree that with 20 year old boat, condition first, sails/rigging second, engine third, accessories last. Love the Hunter! 1980 is a good year
My 1980 H27 does not point up well and has very strong weather helm. With only 3.3 draft the shoal draft model does not point up well. A lot also depends on sail combination. I bought a 135 Genoa and think a 120 would be better. A well-made main sail makes a big difference too. Renault diesel is hard to get parts for. (mine was replaced with a 10hp Kubota) Agree that with 20 year old boat, condition first, sails/rigging second, engine third, accessories last. Love the Hunter! 1980 is a good year
Respectable Price
I to am in a simlar position regarding a early 80's H27. I have done my home work with regards to this boat, however would like to know what pricing is reasonable for this boat 1980 - 1983 - good condition, well equiped.
I to am in a simlar position regarding a early 80's H27. I have done my home work with regards to this boat, however would like to know what pricing is reasonable for this boat 1980 - 1983 - good condition, well equiped.
I have a 27 Hunter...
I love the interior room of the h27 vs. just about nay other 27 I have seen... Mine is the deep keel version, so it points respectably, AND also has a Yanmar diesel... When I saw you use the word RENAULT, I stopped right there. DON'T EVEN GO THERE!
I love the interior room of the h27 vs. just about nay other 27 I have seen... Mine is the deep keel version, so it points respectably, AND also has a Yanmar diesel... When I saw you use the word RENAULT, I stopped right there. DON'T EVEN GO THERE!
13 years
We've had ours for 13 years. I've been in all sorts of weather. We just got back from Martha's Vineyard. We sailed from Edgartown to Newport in 15 - 25 knot winds and did the trip in 7.5 hours. That's an average of 6.5 to 7 knots in a boat with a hull speed of 6.2 (OK we did have a favorable current). She loves to reach and is very easy to control in a following sea. If you want to point by a J Boat! We did get new sails a year ago and that also helped going to weather quite a bit. I spoke to one former hunter owner that installed a traveller and that helpe also. But why would you spend almost a grand to do that? (see my first sentence of this paragraph) When going to weather for a long period of time use the iron gennie. We have the Yanmar 1GM (the 6.5 hp version). It is a GREAT engine. The interior volume of the Hunter is better than all other boats of its size. The settee footwells are a great design. The chart table is better than those on most much larger boats. My biggest complaint has to do with the non-skid areas. I redid the cockpit 3 years ago and I may do the rest of the deck this off-season.
We've had ours for 13 years. I've been in all sorts of weather. We just got back from Martha's Vineyard. We sailed from Edgartown to Newport in 15 - 25 knot winds and did the trip in 7.5 hours. That's an average of 6.5 to 7 knots in a boat with a hull speed of 6.2 (OK we did have a favorable current). She loves to reach and is very easy to control in a following sea. If you want to point by a J Boat! We did get new sails a year ago and that also helped going to weather quite a bit. I spoke to one former hunter owner that installed a traveller and that helpe also. But why would you spend almost a grand to do that? (see my first sentence of this paragraph) When going to weather for a long period of time use the iron gennie. We have the Yanmar 1GM (the 6.5 hp version). It is a GREAT engine. The interior volume of the Hunter is better than all other boats of its size. The settee footwells are a great design. The chart table is better than those on most much larger boats. My biggest complaint has to do with the non-skid areas. I redid the cockpit 3 years ago and I may do the rest of the deck this off-season.
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