GREETINGS, AM ORDERING A NEW HUNTER 36 NEXT WEEK. WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT OPTIONS. WHICH ARE A MUST AND WHICH ARE A WASTE. ANY COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS PAUL
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OPTIONS
PROBABLY EASIER TO MENTION THE OPTIONS I'M CONSIDERING. OVEN, INVERTER, UPGRADED INSTRUMENTS, RAY MARINE WINDMACHINE, SPINAKER GEAR. RADAR, CHARTPLOTTER, DODGER, QUIET FLUSH ELECTRIC HEAD, FACTORY SEAT CUSHIONS, AIRCONDITIONING. OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT'S IT. THANKS PAUL
PROBABLY EASIER TO MENTION THE OPTIONS I'M CONSIDERING. OVEN, INVERTER, UPGRADED INSTRUMENTS, RAY MARINE WINDMACHINE, SPINAKER GEAR. RADAR, CHARTPLOTTER, DODGER, QUIET FLUSH ELECTRIC HEAD, FACTORY SEAT CUSHIONS, AIRCONDITIONING. OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT'S IT. THANKS PAUL
Options
Do the dodger local, you might want something other than the factory seat cuschions. They install snaps, we wish we had not. Also, you might want to check with a local marine electronics shop in your area and find out what it would cost afermarket for the electronic upgrades. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Do the dodger local, you might want something other than the factory seat cuschions. They install snaps, we wish we had not. Also, you might want to check with a local marine electronics shop in your area and find out what it would cost afermarket for the electronic upgrades. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Cheaper to get Electronics - from Defender
I got most of mine from Defender for almost half the cost of what Hunter sells them for. Get your dodger local also. I got mine from Hunter via St. Augustine Canvas and was very disappointed, had to send it back twice to get thing corrected. The seat cushins with snaps hurt when you step or sit on them. Get the Sport Seat for really being comfortable. Otherwise you are getting just about everything you can. Jim S/V Java
I got most of mine from Defender for almost half the cost of what Hunter sells them for. Get your dodger local also. I got mine from Hunter via St. Augustine Canvas and was very disappointed, had to send it back twice to get thing corrected. The seat cushins with snaps hurt when you step or sit on them. Get the Sport Seat for really being comfortable. Otherwise you are getting just about everything you can. Jim S/V Java
The best prices I found for electronics is from
this site.http://www.vitmarine.com/index.html Everette is a good man. He can drop ship too.
this site.http://www.vitmarine.com/index.html Everette is a good man. He can drop ship too.
Check out Dave's Marine for electronics too
Check out Dave's Marine for electronics too. I would also consider brands other than Raymarine for price/features/functions. http://www.brokenlegdave.com/index.html
Check out Dave's Marine for electronics too. I would also consider brands other than Raymarine for price/features/functions. http://www.brokenlegdave.com/index.html
Matching bimini & dodger
I got the bimini dodger at local canvas shop and its heavy duty compared to hunters and they match colors,don't forget the mainsheet harken arch traveler/12volt ref/microwave,and what ever is not so easy to install later. nick
I got the bimini dodger at local canvas shop and its heavy duty compared to hunters and they match colors,don't forget the mainsheet harken arch traveler/12volt ref/microwave,and what ever is not so easy to install later. nick
Attachments
Options
Order the in mast roller furling, you will not be sorry, then the windlass and complete electronics Have the canvas done aftermarket, but have all other options installed by Hunter I cheaped out and did not order the chart plotter/radar combination (went after market), nor did I order air conditioning, which by the way is also a heater. I have suddenly been transferred to Florida and am now going to pay to have air conditioning installed at a much higher price If you are making the plunge, make the plunge!
Order the in mast roller furling, you will not be sorry, then the windlass and complete electronics Have the canvas done aftermarket, but have all other options installed by Hunter I cheaped out and did not order the chart plotter/radar combination (went after market), nor did I order air conditioning, which by the way is also a heater. I have suddenly been transferred to Florida and am now going to pay to have air conditioning installed at a much higher price If you are making the plunge, make the plunge!
more options
Paul,depending on your use you may want to get refrig/freezer as a factory option.You may want to consider upgrading you prop to a 3 blade (fixed,folding and feathering are available) All the other post have suggested lot of good options also.You may want to consider a barrier coat,I believe it is now available as a factory oprion or if not a deal er item.Stereo speakers can be installed (inside and out) as option.I also think that there is now a high water alarm and larger capacity bilge pump package availabe.Upgrade you batteries with the inverter.It is amazing what you can think of and get with a open check ! Good Luck with you new boat !
Paul,depending on your use you may want to get refrig/freezer as a factory option.You may want to consider upgrading you prop to a 3 blade (fixed,folding and feathering are available) All the other post have suggested lot of good options also.You may want to consider a barrier coat,I believe it is now available as a factory oprion or if not a deal er item.Stereo speakers can be installed (inside and out) as option.I also think that there is now a high water alarm and larger capacity bilge pump package availabe.Upgrade you batteries with the inverter.It is amazing what you can think of and get with a open check ! Good Luck with you new boat !
Paul lots fo good suggestion so far...
Just a few more comments. We really like our DC reefers. The inverter is handy for running the AC extras. If you go with air conditioning (heat pumps) you will need a generator unless you never the leave the dock. In our case the boat came with them, but I would rather have a forced air diesel furnace to extend the cruising season. I really like our three blade fixed prop. It came standard. You might want to see how the boat performs with the stock prop before upgrading. A fellow skipper felt it was not worth the money. But you will hear from many that love them. We have an asym spin with a sock. Big difference in boat performance. I bought a lightly used one for about one third the price of new. Chart plotters are nice, but I prefer my hand held GPS. We also have a below decks Ray Marine 7000 autopilot. Terry Terry
Just a few more comments. We really like our DC reefers. The inverter is handy for running the AC extras. If you go with air conditioning (heat pumps) you will need a generator unless you never the leave the dock. In our case the boat came with them, but I would rather have a forced air diesel furnace to extend the cruising season. I really like our three blade fixed prop. It came standard. You might want to see how the boat performs with the stock prop before upgrading. A fellow skipper felt it was not worth the money. But you will hear from many that love them. We have an asym spin with a sock. Big difference in boat performance. I bought a lightly used one for about one third the price of new. Chart plotters are nice, but I prefer my hand held GPS. We also have a below decks Ray Marine 7000 autopilot. Terry Terry
Consider these!
I have a 2003 356. One must is a three bladed folding prop. You won't regret that one. In addition to the items previously listed, consider: 5.5 KW Genset (Northern Lights is what I have; Isolate your starting and house battery system and get at least a link 10 to monitor you house system; Get an invertor/charger if you are going to have tv and other entertainment on board while not at the dock. I got a full canvas enclosure-made locally-I can take pieces on and off which is nice for our variable weather in Tennessee. Get an electric windlass for sure and if you can change the anchor, upgrade to a heavier anchor and more chain. The std Delta 22 lb is a little light if you plan on cruising anywhere and the standard chain/rope rode has too little chain-ok for Ky Lake, but light for coastal cruising. Another thing to consider is a deck washdown pump. I have one with an outlet within the anchor well and at the stern under the folding seat. I can wash mud off the anchor rode and anchor as the anchor is being brought in. If you really want entertainment, buy a satellite tracking antenna and install a flat screen tv on a moveable arm - good location is the forward port bulkhead. We also have the Raymarine integrated 7" color Chartplotter/Radar/Sonar with course computer. It is integrated with a Raymarine 6001 below decks autopilot - which must be custom installed (Hunter said it couldn't be done, but my dealer installed it and it is well worth the extra money) You will really enjoy the 356/36. It is a great boat!
I have a 2003 356. One must is a three bladed folding prop. You won't regret that one. In addition to the items previously listed, consider: 5.5 KW Genset (Northern Lights is what I have; Isolate your starting and house battery system and get at least a link 10 to monitor you house system; Get an invertor/charger if you are going to have tv and other entertainment on board while not at the dock. I got a full canvas enclosure-made locally-I can take pieces on and off which is nice for our variable weather in Tennessee. Get an electric windlass for sure and if you can change the anchor, upgrade to a heavier anchor and more chain. The std Delta 22 lb is a little light if you plan on cruising anywhere and the standard chain/rope rode has too little chain-ok for Ky Lake, but light for coastal cruising. Another thing to consider is a deck washdown pump. I have one with an outlet within the anchor well and at the stern under the folding seat. I can wash mud off the anchor rode and anchor as the anchor is being brought in. If you really want entertainment, buy a satellite tracking antenna and install a flat screen tv on a moveable arm - good location is the forward port bulkhead. We also have the Raymarine integrated 7" color Chartplotter/Radar/Sonar with course computer. It is integrated with a Raymarine 6001 below decks autopilot - which must be custom installed (Hunter said it couldn't be done, but my dealer installed it and it is well worth the extra money) You will really enjoy the 356/36. It is a great boat!
356 Options
We ordered our 2003 with the following options ST 60 Instruments Factory Installed... Air Conditioning A Must if you sleep over on weekends. Electric Windlass My wife said at 50 I was getting too old to haul the anchor. Great Option. We also got the 2 burner stove with oven Refridge Freezer 3 bladed fixed prop, RAM Mike and bimini. We later bought a Dodger and had it mated o the bimini. No regrets on any of the options. Planning on adding radar and chart plotter at a later date.
We ordered our 2003 with the following options ST 60 Instruments Factory Installed... Air Conditioning A Must if you sleep over on weekends. Electric Windlass My wife said at 50 I was getting too old to haul the anchor. Great Option. We also got the 2 burner stove with oven Refridge Freezer 3 bladed fixed prop, RAM Mike and bimini. We later bought a Dodger and had it mated o the bimini. No regrets on any of the options. Planning on adding radar and chart plotter at a later date.
In mast roller furling option
I spent all last season with my friends new 356 with the in mast roller furling. To say he's not a happy camper is an understatement. By the numbers, this boat should fly, but it barely crawls. A lot of Hunter afficianados have been on that boat, and all come away disappointed. Consensus is forget the in mast roller furling, get the full roach, full batten main with a sail handling kit such as Stack Paack, mack Pack or just lazy jacks.
I spent all last season with my friends new 356 with the in mast roller furling. To say he's not a happy camper is an understatement. By the numbers, this boat should fly, but it barely crawls. A lot of Hunter afficianados have been on that boat, and all come away disappointed. Consensus is forget the in mast roller furling, get the full roach, full batten main with a sail handling kit such as Stack Paack, mack Pack or just lazy jacks.
356 options
the roller furling is worth it for the convenience and ease of reefing, but you do lose a large amount of main area-this can be corrected by upgrading to either the Doyle swingbatten or the vertical batten sail-my swingbatten adds about 30% to the std roller area-and makes a huge improvement in performance
the roller furling is worth it for the convenience and ease of reefing, but you do lose a large amount of main area-this can be corrected by upgrading to either the Doyle swingbatten or the vertical batten sail-my swingbatten adds about 30% to the std roller area-and makes a huge improvement in performance
356 options
I agree, the in mast furling is a major convenience. It sure beats spending 20 minutes putting the boat to bed. But , to my mind, a well thought out reefing system, lead back to the cockpit and a well designed lazy jack system beats the hell out of the mechanical complexity and expense of an in mast roller furler that requires custom sails to even approach the inherent capabilities of the original design with the full batten main.
I agree, the in mast furling is a major convenience. It sure beats spending 20 minutes putting the boat to bed. But , to my mind, a well thought out reefing system, lead back to the cockpit and a well designed lazy jack system beats the hell out of the mechanical complexity and expense of an in mast roller furler that requires custom sails to even approach the inherent capabilities of the original design with the full batten main.
FURLING MAIN
Thanks for all the responses to my question about options. The furling main is now my biggest problem. I have heard so many good things about it but now theses negatives are making me nervous. Any more imput would be great on this. Thanks Paul
Thanks for all the responses to my question about options. The furling main is now my biggest problem. I have heard so many good things about it but now theses negatives are making me nervous. Any more imput would be great on this. Thanks Paul
Wouldn't be without in-mast furling
On one of several trips last summer to Toronto from Wilson, our 356 with in-mast furling averaged 7.25 knots. Seemed more than adequate speed. We would never be without the convenience of a roller furling main again. Reefing is so easy and so safe. Wind comes up - roll it in a bit. Wind eases - let it out. We bought the boat for comfort and ease of sailing. We got both.
On one of several trips last summer to Toronto from Wilson, our 356 with in-mast furling averaged 7.25 knots. Seemed more than adequate speed. We would never be without the convenience of a roller furling main again. Reefing is so easy and so safe. Wind comes up - roll it in a bit. Wind eases - let it out. We bought the boat for comfort and ease of sailing. We got both.
Consider Option, Paul
...of deleting the stock (furling) main and adding a vertical batten furling main (UK))so as to get some roach and leech control back, assuming you want to continue with the furling option. Someone on this board mentioned that it is or will be a factory option. Have a great time! Rick D.
...of deleting the stock (furling) main and adding a vertical batten furling main (UK))so as to get some roach and leech control back, assuming you want to continue with the furling option. Someone on this board mentioned that it is or will be a factory option. Have a great time! Rick D.
36 Options
If I had the choice again I would have had the auto-pilot and wind instruments fitted at the factory
If I had the choice again I would have had the auto-pilot and wind instruments fitted at the factory
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