Question for you John C II if you revisit:
Do you have any idea what the earliest year (1974) was like in terms of actual numbers of boats compared to the successive growth years of '75, '76 and '77 for Hunter? I never saw or heard anyone discussing a '74 30 so I'm guessing the number of boats they sold must be small in comparison. I've only seen two 1975 Hunter 30's ( in 1976 in the yard where we bought ours)'75s are rarely discussed on forums to the point where some regulars are even surprised at first when they hear tale of the centerboard, '76 30's (like mine) I've seen a little more often but again discussion of the the custom hatches used that year are met with disbelief from owners who are used to the standard equipment Hunter used on the many, many hulls that are still around that were built in 1977 or later when the volume must have really exploded.
FYI that year we bought our boat (winter of '75-'76) my Dad and I (at 15) were doing the shopping and deciding, Small boat shows in CT and RI, driving to dealers and mailing in requests for brochures. Our modest budget and large family immediately took some boats off the table so it was down to the Hunter 30, the Cape Dory 28 and an O'Day (I forget how big the O'day we were considering was). We didn't hear about or see the Hunter until last, when my Dad pretty much was ready to make a move on the Cape Dory. Although he was new to sailing (his navy buddy and him with wives did a bareboat charter in the Grenadines, and the same friend owned a Grampian 26 that was my first overnight capable sailboat experience) he kind of fell for the very traditional topside look and full keel of the Cape Dory. I liked everything about the Hunter 30 though- the clean low flat dog house, the fin keel, the slightly aft raked angle of the transom. Not knowing the trade-offs then, I was even psyched about the ped steering. (Did your dad favor the wheel or the tiller for the 30? Didn't the pre-'76 30s have a tiller?)
Anyway when we actually got on the Hunter 30, my Dad and Mom were sold immediately, my Dad was over 6'3" and he had until that point expected to have to bow his head when in the cabin, and my mom (who would be feeding and arbitrating berth assignments for four under 16 year olds aboard) recognized immediately the versatility of the drop leaf table and pull out settee (thanks for that). I ended up being taller than my Dad, so I have enjoyed the most utility from the the 6'4" cabin headroom and my kids grew up playing cards with their friends (up to 8 at a time) on the table at anchor or when they got bored topside.