I have recently visited a Hunter dealer and developed more than a curiosity regarding the new Hunter 36 on display. This boat appears to very closely resemble the preceding model, the 356, in terms of cabin interior and hull shape and shoal keel. Is it the same boat redesignated with a new model number for marketing purposes? Steve Kamp
Hunter 36 compared to 356
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Here is what I know
It is the same hull. They changed the deck plan around, moved the lead blocks, moved the jib winches aft. They also lowered the aft swim area storage, doesn't seem as deep as the H356. Changed the galley, my wife doesn't like the H36, seems as though they lost storage space by placing the refrig where they did. Trash is in a strange place and I would consider hard to get to and empty - it's a reach. Looks like there is more access to the engine. Haven't been able to remove the steps to find out. That's enough for now Jim S/V Java
It is the same hull. They changed the deck plan around, moved the lead blocks, moved the jib winches aft. They also lowered the aft swim area storage, doesn't seem as deep as the H356. Changed the galley, my wife doesn't like the H36, seems as though they lost storage space by placing the refrig where they did. Trash is in a strange place and I would consider hard to get to and empty - it's a reach. Looks like there is more access to the engine. Haven't been able to remove the steps to find out. That's enough for now Jim S/V Java
From what I know
I have a 2005 -36. The dealer told me that they made close to 100 different improvements. The arch has been slightly redesigned, the engine is now 29 hp and conforms to the new emissions requirements. They added 2 more winches (aft). The stern perch seats are slightly different. There are a few more visible changes but there are many non visible changes as well. EG: wiring, hardware etc. Your local dealer can fill you in on the rest.
I have a 2005 -36. The dealer told me that they made close to 100 different improvements. The arch has been slightly redesigned, the engine is now 29 hp and conforms to the new emissions requirements. They added 2 more winches (aft). The stern perch seats are slightly different. There are a few more visible changes but there are many non visible changes as well. EG: wiring, hardware etc. Your local dealer can fill you in on the rest.
Same Boat
I have a 2002 356. It is effectively the same boat as the 36 Some things are improved with changes they made, and some of the changes are not as good as the original It is all in the eyes of the beholder They will effectively sail the same
I have a 2002 356. It is effectively the same boat as the 36 Some things are improved with changes they made, and some of the changes are not as good as the original It is all in the eyes of the beholder They will effectively sail the same
Essentially a 356 with a front-loading reefer
There are numerous little detail changes, but the main substantive change (other than the front-load refrigerator and new dish-locker) is the change to a single-handing set-up. While the sailplan is the same, the formerly optional ST40s on the cockpit coaming for the spinnaker package are now standard, and the jib sheets are now routed to them rather than to the cabintop winches, which now serve only as halyard/mainsheet/reefing winches. To do this, the cabintop jibcar tracks were removed, and inboard deck tracks substituted. This should slightly degrade pointing ability at the limits, but in that case you'd use a barber-hauler to point even higher than you could have with the cabintop track, anyway. Basically, the hull, deck, rig, etc. have ben produced (and proven) by both the one year of H36 production PLUS the 3 years of 356 production. That was a big plus for me in deciding to buy my 2005 H36. I like others to work out the bugs before I buy. My reading of the 4 H36 owner reviews and 19 H356 reviews, and my searching of the list archives for 356/36 problems turned up few, and they seemed to have diminshed as production went on (as you'd guess). My hull is H36 number 234, and there were quite a few more 356s than that produced. Its a lot of boat for the money. (Though I did tell Hunter to keep the cheapo UK sails and got my own all-full-batten/3-reef main, rope-luff jib and assymetric spinnaker from Doyle. With 490 sq ft of mainsail I also upgraded the little ST30 halyard winches to the same ST40s used for the sheet winches.) As with all Hunters, the dealer and his commisioning crew are essential components <g>.
There are numerous little detail changes, but the main substantive change (other than the front-load refrigerator and new dish-locker) is the change to a single-handing set-up. While the sailplan is the same, the formerly optional ST40s on the cockpit coaming for the spinnaker package are now standard, and the jib sheets are now routed to them rather than to the cabintop winches, which now serve only as halyard/mainsheet/reefing winches. To do this, the cabintop jibcar tracks were removed, and inboard deck tracks substituted. This should slightly degrade pointing ability at the limits, but in that case you'd use a barber-hauler to point even higher than you could have with the cabintop track, anyway. Basically, the hull, deck, rig, etc. have ben produced (and proven) by both the one year of H36 production PLUS the 3 years of 356 production. That was a big plus for me in deciding to buy my 2005 H36. I like others to work out the bugs before I buy. My reading of the 4 H36 owner reviews and 19 H356 reviews, and my searching of the list archives for 356/36 problems turned up few, and they seemed to have diminshed as production went on (as you'd guess). My hull is H36 number 234, and there were quite a few more 356s than that produced. Its a lot of boat for the money. (Though I did tell Hunter to keep the cheapo UK sails and got my own all-full-batten/3-reef main, rope-luff jib and assymetric spinnaker from Doyle. With 490 sq ft of mainsail I also upgraded the little ST30 halyard winches to the same ST40s used for the sheet winches.) As with all Hunters, the dealer and his commisioning crew are essential components <g>.
Hunter 356/36 comparison
Thank you for your responses regarding these boats. Have there been any problems with the inboard chain plate developing leaks where it passes through the deck? Inside the cabin it passes through and behind the shelves and cabinetry and connects to the hull where? Can this area be inspected without tearing up the cabinet work? Steve Kamp
Thank you for your responses regarding these boats. Have there been any problems with the inboard chain plate developing leaks where it passes through the deck? Inside the cabin it passes through and behind the shelves and cabinetry and connects to the hull where? Can this area be inspected without tearing up the cabinet work? Steve Kamp
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