I am interested in opinions between the Hunter 30 models 93-94 versus the 95 310 interms of performance and accomodations. Any comments from someone who has sailed both would be of interest in a comparison.
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Bill Saint
Had a 30
I'm in the same spot as you right now. I had a '93 Hunter 30 and loved it, but sold it in '97. The boat was great - lots of room, great performance and super value for the money. I am now back in the market and looking at a '96 - '99 310. I like the larger cockpit design and a "bit" more room. Haven't sailed a 310 yet. I don't like that the 310 is missing a nav table, but I'm sure that can be overcome. Good luck.
I'm in the same spot as you right now. I had a '93 Hunter 30 and loved it, but sold it in '97. The boat was great - lots of room, great performance and super value for the money. I am now back in the market and looking at a '96 - '99 310. I like the larger cockpit design and a "bit" more room. Haven't sailed a 310 yet. I don't like that the 310 is missing a nav table, but I'm sure that can be overcome. Good luck.
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Gary Scheier
Sailed Both
Our Sailing Club charters out many Hunters, including the 30's and 310's. The newer Hunters are lighter and must be reefed earlier in order to preserve stability. Additionally, they have no backstay (if you are inclined to ever add a backstay adjuster). In addition to being lighter, I did not like the 310, due to: 1. Lack of a real navigation table 2. Battery switch at the back of the aft stateroom (crawl over the bed to turn the battery on). Also, you may want to get ahold of the Practical Sailor test reports. I saw a caption in their advertisment which stated "Rigging Problems with the Hunter 310" We ended up purchasing a used 1991 Hunter 28, which is a slightly smaller version of the 30. My personal preference is stability...mainly because we sail on San Francisco Bay. If you can "test drive" both of them-do it. Gary Scheier s/v "Serenisea"
Our Sailing Club charters out many Hunters, including the 30's and 310's. The newer Hunters are lighter and must be reefed earlier in order to preserve stability. Additionally, they have no backstay (if you are inclined to ever add a backstay adjuster). In addition to being lighter, I did not like the 310, due to: 1. Lack of a real navigation table 2. Battery switch at the back of the aft stateroom (crawl over the bed to turn the battery on). Also, you may want to get ahold of the Practical Sailor test reports. I saw a caption in their advertisment which stated "Rigging Problems with the Hunter 310" We ended up purchasing a used 1991 Hunter 28, which is a slightly smaller version of the 30. My personal preference is stability...mainly because we sail on San Francisco Bay. If you can "test drive" both of them-do it. Gary Scheier s/v "Serenisea"
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Steve Cook
I own a H310
I think somebody is saying something bad about my boat? I'll get right to the point then. My battery switch is in a cockpit locker Not in the aft cabin!!! I don't need a backstay. I would not agree with "anything" that P.S. has to say in their rag!!! They too lack in their research.... Although the H30 is a great boat and I would buy one if I was looking for a boat in that size and price range. But there is a big difference in the two boats including the rigging. Which by the way, mine is just fine and have had no problems with it!!! The H310 has more room inside and out!!! Their are (4) H30's on the lake I sail on and I can truly out sail any one of them on any point of sail at any time. I have not sailed an H30 but have been on them many times and have sailed past the often. What you are trying to compare is old tech vs. new state of the art high tech. The big difference will be the price of the two boats. The H310 did not go into production until 1997 by the way. I would read the owner reviews of both boats on this site and then go from there. Good luck, Steve, s/v The Odyssey(H310)
I think somebody is saying something bad about my boat? I'll get right to the point then. My battery switch is in a cockpit locker Not in the aft cabin!!! I don't need a backstay. I would not agree with "anything" that P.S. has to say in their rag!!! They too lack in their research.... Although the H30 is a great boat and I would buy one if I was looking for a boat in that size and price range. But there is a big difference in the two boats including the rigging. Which by the way, mine is just fine and have had no problems with it!!! The H310 has more room inside and out!!! Their are (4) H30's on the lake I sail on and I can truly out sail any one of them on any point of sail at any time. I have not sailed an H30 but have been on them many times and have sailed past the often. What you are trying to compare is old tech vs. new state of the art high tech. The big difference will be the price of the two boats. The H310 did not go into production until 1997 by the way. I would read the owner reviews of both boats on this site and then go from there. Good luck, Steve, s/v The Odyssey(H310)
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Jerry Olivero
I own a 1998 Hunter 310
The 310 sails well from close-hauled to a broad reach. The comment about needing to reef at about 15kts of wind is true but that also says that the boat is very nimble in light winds. One of the 310's best features is the large open cockpit with the arch supporting the main sheet traveller. The arch also provides a great mount for a bimini, dodger, speakers, and nav equipment. The battery switch is also in the starboard aft cockpit locker on my boat as well, but that was not true of the 97 310 where it was mounted in the middle of the aft cabins aft bulkhead. I would agree that is an awkward location for it. The only negatives in my mind 98-00 310's were the lack of a nav station below and the poor ventilation in the aft cabin. Look at the 320 and you will see what Hunter changed to mediate these issues. I built a fold-down chart table and mounted it on the forward wall of the head on the port side. All in all ... the 310 is a good 3-4 day cruiser.
The 310 sails well from close-hauled to a broad reach. The comment about needing to reef at about 15kts of wind is true but that also says that the boat is very nimble in light winds. One of the 310's best features is the large open cockpit with the arch supporting the main sheet traveller. The arch also provides a great mount for a bimini, dodger, speakers, and nav equipment. The battery switch is also in the starboard aft cockpit locker on my boat as well, but that was not true of the 97 310 where it was mounted in the middle of the aft cabins aft bulkhead. I would agree that is an awkward location for it. The only negatives in my mind 98-00 310's were the lack of a nav station below and the poor ventilation in the aft cabin. Look at the 320 and you will see what Hunter changed to mediate these issues. I built a fold-down chart table and mounted it on the forward wall of the head on the port side. All in all ... the 310 is a good 3-4 day cruiser.
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Don
Long time Hunter 30 owner report
I have sailed my Hunter 30 on the somewhat demanding Great Lakes for 15 seasons. During this time I have attended numerous boat shows, and sailed a variety of other boats, always looking for something newer and better. I have not found it yet. Ilike the comfort, stability and maintainability of the old "30". Also, for some reason, the old boat just seems to have more character. Maybe that just because it has more wood trim and more of a real keel.
I have sailed my Hunter 30 on the somewhat demanding Great Lakes for 15 seasons. During this time I have attended numerous boat shows, and sailed a variety of other boats, always looking for something newer and better. I have not found it yet. Ilike the comfort, stability and maintainability of the old "30". Also, for some reason, the old boat just seems to have more character. Maybe that just because it has more wood trim and more of a real keel.
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Eddy Johnsen
The Bottom Line
I have owned a Hunter 30 for two years now and have been very pleased with her. I looked at buying a 310 when I was in the market. The appeal of a "new" boat is always hard to overcome, but quite frankly, the differences between the two boats were not significant enough in my mind to justify the price difference. For me, it was "the bottom line" that made my choice, and I'm willing to bet that my wife and I have as much fun on our Hunter 30, if not more, than our fellow sailors on the 310!
I have owned a Hunter 30 for two years now and have been very pleased with her. I looked at buying a 310 when I was in the market. The appeal of a "new" boat is always hard to overcome, but quite frankly, the differences between the two boats were not significant enough in my mind to justify the price difference. For me, it was "the bottom line" that made my choice, and I'm willing to bet that my wife and I have as much fun on our Hunter 30, if not more, than our fellow sailors on the 310!
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