I am looking to purchase a Hunter 40. Can you give me any advice on what to look for in this model. I currently own a Hunter 31 and know that this model commonly has a problem with the compression post. Are there any similar common problems owners have found in the 40? How much fuel do they burn per hour? What wind level do you typically have to start reefing? What cruising speed does she maintain while motoring. Any other information that may be helpful. Thank you, Asa Colson s/v Lifes Love
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Mike Fyffe
H40
We've lived on our '85 h40 for 4 years and loved it. The answers to your questions are; ~.5 gph at 2400 rpm and a little over 6 kph in smooth water, I'll reef the main at 20 unless I'm playing hard. You can see our h40 at http://home.att.net/~radars. If you have any other questions fire an email my way. Mike sends S/V Camelot out
We've lived on our '85 h40 for 4 years and loved it. The answers to your questions are; ~.5 gph at 2400 rpm and a little over 6 kph in smooth water, I'll reef the main at 20 unless I'm playing hard. You can see our h40 at http://home.att.net/~radars. If you have any other questions fire an email my way. Mike sends S/V Camelot out
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Kevin Whalen
My 1985 40
My experience is close to Mikes except I put the first reef in at about 18 knts (I have a shoal draft keel)and the second reef in at about 25. I run my engine faster and burn about .75 gallons per hour at 3200 rpm's and that moves me along at a little over 7 knots in smooth water. Like Mike I love the boat and would be glad to answer any quetions. Kevin Whalen s/v Katawa Cay
My experience is close to Mikes except I put the first reef in at about 18 knts (I have a shoal draft keel)and the second reef in at about 25. I run my engine faster and burn about .75 gallons per hour at 3200 rpm's and that moves me along at a little over 7 knots in smooth water. Like Mike I love the boat and would be glad to answer any quetions. Kevin Whalen s/v Katawa Cay
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Asa Colson
OK More Questions
Thanks for your help. I am starting to really like the 40. Does your model have the refrigerator above the counter? I see this in many models available on the internet. If so how big is it and how well does it work?
Thanks for your help. I am starting to really like the 40. Does your model have the refrigerator above the counter? I see this in many models available on the internet. If so how big is it and how well does it work?
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Don
Asa - have you looked at a 40 in person?
I really like the 40 and was, for a while, planning to trade up to one from my H31. Great boat, my problem was the cockpit. It's a real racer style cockpit and seems to have low combing, etc. Since all I do is cruising, it just seemed to bee too far from the cockpit on my 31. I would up with a 37.5, although really wanted the 40.5. Good luck
I really like the 40 and was, for a while, planning to trade up to one from my H31. Great boat, my problem was the cockpit. It's a real racer style cockpit and seems to have low combing, etc. Since all I do is cruising, it just seemed to bee too far from the cockpit on my 31. I would up with a 37.5, although really wanted the 40.5. Good luck
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Kevin Whalen
Refrigeration
Asa My refrigeration is above the counter in the aft of the galley. It is about the size of a college dorm frig so not real big. It has a small freezer section at the top where you can make ice. (in my case I stuff in 5-6 beers for faster cooling). Mine is 17 years old and works fine. It runs on shore power or 12 volt. There is also an ice box below the galley counter entered from the top. The Ice box drains into the bilge as the ice melts. I hate water in my bilge so it drives me crazy.(and sitting here it is the only thing I can think of that I really don't like about the boat). E-mail (I can be found in the owner's directory) me with any further questions as you look. Kevin Whalen PS the only problem I have heard consistantly about 40's has been with the built in holding tanks. Some of the 40's have tanks that are an integral part of the hull vs removable/changable holding tanks. The built in tanks have lids that are glassed on between two stringers. Aft years of bouncing many are now shaking loose and releasing sewage into the bilge. In my case I re-epoxied the lid last year and all is well now. So you may ask about the holding tanks and if they are integral. If they are have they been repaired. Good Luck
Asa My refrigeration is above the counter in the aft of the galley. It is about the size of a college dorm frig so not real big. It has a small freezer section at the top where you can make ice. (in my case I stuff in 5-6 beers for faster cooling). Mine is 17 years old and works fine. It runs on shore power or 12 volt. There is also an ice box below the galley counter entered from the top. The Ice box drains into the bilge as the ice melts. I hate water in my bilge so it drives me crazy.(and sitting here it is the only thing I can think of that I really don't like about the boat). E-mail (I can be found in the owner's directory) me with any further questions as you look. Kevin Whalen PS the only problem I have heard consistantly about 40's has been with the built in holding tanks. Some of the 40's have tanks that are an integral part of the hull vs removable/changable holding tanks. The built in tanks have lids that are glassed on between two stringers. Aft years of bouncing many are now shaking loose and releasing sewage into the bilge. In my case I re-epoxied the lid last year and all is well now. So you may ask about the holding tanks and if they are integral. If they are have they been repaired. Good Luck
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Don Hines
We moved up-Love it
We lived aboard our '78 Hunter 30 for two years and got our '85 40 for Christmas last year. What a wonderful boat to live aboard and sail. I split the counter ice box into a large deep freezer and a slightly smaller ref section with starboard divider, it already had 12V refrigeration in it and we will upgrade to a holding plate system. Best of luck in your boat hunt. We love ours!
We lived aboard our '78 Hunter 30 for two years and got our '85 40 for Christmas last year. What a wonderful boat to live aboard and sail. I split the counter ice box into a large deep freezer and a slightly smaller ref section with starboard divider, it already had 12V refrigeration in it and we will upgrade to a holding plate system. Best of luck in your boat hunt. We love ours!
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Asa Colson
Some Thoughts and More Questions
I have not been inside a 40 yet. I have seen the deck and cockpit. We use sporta seats in our 31 and I feel that they can compensate for the low coaming in the cockpit. Our actual dream boat is the Hunter 42 Passage. Since I can't afford that (yet) I am very interested in the 40. I like its lines and hope to be able to get a look at the interior in person. I am concerned with the head room in the aft stateroom. The Passage being a center cockpit design gives greater headroom here. I am aware of the integral tanks as my 31 has them. I have not had a problem with mine (cross fingers) but I know there are some very good forumn articles on repairing them. I am not greatly concerned with that. What is the amp hour useage for the 12V refrigeration in 24 hours? How long do you have to run the engine to replace the juice used up by the refrigeration? Thank again for all the information
I have not been inside a 40 yet. I have seen the deck and cockpit. We use sporta seats in our 31 and I feel that they can compensate for the low coaming in the cockpit. Our actual dream boat is the Hunter 42 Passage. Since I can't afford that (yet) I am very interested in the 40. I like its lines and hope to be able to get a look at the interior in person. I am concerned with the head room in the aft stateroom. The Passage being a center cockpit design gives greater headroom here. I am aware of the integral tanks as my 31 has them. I have not had a problem with mine (cross fingers) but I know there are some very good forumn articles on repairing them. I am not greatly concerned with that. What is the amp hour useage for the 12V refrigeration in 24 hours? How long do you have to run the engine to replace the juice used up by the refrigeration? Thank again for all the information
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Kevin Whalen
Amps and head room
Asa I'll start with the head room since it's something I know. First for reference I'm 6'1". The cockpit floor is over the center line bed. I have plenty of head room while sitting on or up in bed. There is some lower deck space between the cockpit and the companionway; that results in a section of lower head room between the foot of the bed and the forward cabin wall. I have to duck slightly to walk throught under that area. On either side of that area in the forward corners of the aft stateroom I have plenty of head room. As for the amps drawn by the fridge. I'll have to check it's manual next weekend. I rarely run it on 12 volt. When I do I have run down my house battery before. (My house bank is a single battery with a small amount of total amp hours) Ussually I have shore power or I fire up a Honda Generator that I keep in the lazerette while cooking to run the microwave, toaster, coffee maker, blender etc. I'll run the fridge and battery charger will the generator is on. Kevin Whalen PS If your in Ohio I'll be glad to take you for a sail. That way you can try one first hand.
Asa I'll start with the head room since it's something I know. First for reference I'm 6'1". The cockpit floor is over the center line bed. I have plenty of head room while sitting on or up in bed. There is some lower deck space between the cockpit and the companionway; that results in a section of lower head room between the foot of the bed and the forward cabin wall. I have to duck slightly to walk throught under that area. On either side of that area in the forward corners of the aft stateroom I have plenty of head room. As for the amps drawn by the fridge. I'll have to check it's manual next weekend. I rarely run it on 12 volt. When I do I have run down my house battery before. (My house bank is a single battery with a small amount of total amp hours) Ussually I have shore power or I fire up a Honda Generator that I keep in the lazerette while cooking to run the microwave, toaster, coffee maker, blender etc. I'll run the fridge and battery charger will the generator is on. Kevin Whalen PS If your in Ohio I'll be glad to take you for a sail. That way you can try one first hand.
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Terry Houwerzyl
We did it
Asa My wife and I upgraded from a 1987 31' to a 1989 Legend 40' two years ago. I have to agree with most everything that has been said. I would look for the later years 40's although the field starts to get very limited after 1988. One of the main differences in the early and later 40's is the refigerator that sits above the counter. The later models don't have it so there is room for another hanging locker in the aft stateroom. I don't think that our 40 points quite as well as the 31 did, but I think it is shoal vs deep.
Asa My wife and I upgraded from a 1987 31' to a 1989 Legend 40' two years ago. I have to agree with most everything that has been said. I would look for the later years 40's although the field starts to get very limited after 1988. One of the main differences in the early and later 40's is the refigerator that sits above the counter. The later models don't have it so there is room for another hanging locker in the aft stateroom. I don't think that our 40 points quite as well as the 31 did, but I think it is shoal vs deep.
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Phyllis Stendebach
H40Legend
Asa, we bought our '86 40 4 yrs ago. I pretty much agree w/everything that has been said. My husband & I wld trade to another boat only if it is a cntr cockpit design. Our boat, "The Adjustment", is live-aboard equipped & is very comfortable for an aft cockpit sloop. We have the 6'4" drft & find her stiff enough to keep us from getting soaked all of the time even in winds of 20+ knots. At ~30 knots she reminds me of a bird that stands up & shakes her tailfeathers & says 'Let's boogie!'. Misc random thoughts/observations: I. The orignl Norcold refrig/freezr is still operating just fine. The ice box is more than adequate. It does not bother us that it drains into the main bilge. The a/c portion of the Cruisair system (which may also be orignl equip)drains into the main bilge, too. A float switch solves that problem. II. The glassed-in lid on the aft holding tank did break loose. During the repairs, we added a recessed inspection plate in the cabin sole & a tank monitor. Also, added tank monitor to forward holding tank. If had it to do over again, wld also make a "lift-out" in the cabin sole for any future repairs to tank; that can easily be added if desired. III. If you are a "do-it-yourselfer", the H40 Legend is easy to work on; i.e., it was built prior to a lot of the more high-tech stuff being incorporated in new boats, & which takes a "professional" when repairs are needed. YOU decide what you want as an upgrde. The exterior canvas & sails on her are not too large to be handled by someone who has a heavy-duty home sewing machine (i.e.,White's Jeans Machine ((~$250))) & a catalog/internet connection frm Sailrite. If the orignl mainsail design is retained, the mainsail is not too sophisticated to be repaired w/o taking it to a sailmaker in many cases. The batten pockets are just std design & are easily replced/repaired, etc. Our foresail has been converted to furling but it is still of a design & size that I can wash, repair, etc. I actually put the sails (one at a time) into a childrn's inflatable swimming pool & soak in something such as Oxyclean. The interior cushions can easily be recovered by a DIYer; the cabin curtains that we have are very easy to make. Hope this long-winded message is of assistance to you. Good luck in whatever you decide to upgrade to.
Asa, we bought our '86 40 4 yrs ago. I pretty much agree w/everything that has been said. My husband & I wld trade to another boat only if it is a cntr cockpit design. Our boat, "The Adjustment", is live-aboard equipped & is very comfortable for an aft cockpit sloop. We have the 6'4" drft & find her stiff enough to keep us from getting soaked all of the time even in winds of 20+ knots. At ~30 knots she reminds me of a bird that stands up & shakes her tailfeathers & says 'Let's boogie!'. Misc random thoughts/observations: I. The orignl Norcold refrig/freezr is still operating just fine. The ice box is more than adequate. It does not bother us that it drains into the main bilge. The a/c portion of the Cruisair system (which may also be orignl equip)drains into the main bilge, too. A float switch solves that problem. II. The glassed-in lid on the aft holding tank did break loose. During the repairs, we added a recessed inspection plate in the cabin sole & a tank monitor. Also, added tank monitor to forward holding tank. If had it to do over again, wld also make a "lift-out" in the cabin sole for any future repairs to tank; that can easily be added if desired. III. If you are a "do-it-yourselfer", the H40 Legend is easy to work on; i.e., it was built prior to a lot of the more high-tech stuff being incorporated in new boats, & which takes a "professional" when repairs are needed. YOU decide what you want as an upgrde. The exterior canvas & sails on her are not too large to be handled by someone who has a heavy-duty home sewing machine (i.e.,White's Jeans Machine ((~$250))) & a catalog/internet connection frm Sailrite. If the orignl mainsail design is retained, the mainsail is not too sophisticated to be repaired w/o taking it to a sailmaker in many cases. The batten pockets are just std design & are easily replced/repaired, etc. Our foresail has been converted to furling but it is still of a design & size that I can wash, repair, etc. I actually put the sails (one at a time) into a childrn's inflatable swimming pool & soak in something such as Oxyclean. The interior cushions can easily be recovered by a DIYer; the cabin curtains that we have are very easy to make. Hope this long-winded message is of assistance to you. Good luck in whatever you decide to upgrade to.
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Heidi
also upgraded from 31 to a 40
We just sold our '87 H31 which I LOVED. It was a clean boat that never gave us a problem. We now have an '86 H40 and also LOVE it. We are VERY happy with the upgrade and added room. My husband is 6'3" and appreciates standing upright! We just had a party with 8 people to dinner and it was not crowded either. Galley is very workable and fridge works great. I feel there has been no compromise on boat handing and she sails so EASILY! I am usually tentative at the helm in high winds but I do well with our 40. Handles and maneuvers very well in tight quarters. Our 9 yr old loves to take the helm whenever possible and she is fairly new to sailing (2 years). She loves high wind (30 knots plus no problem!)and points just as well, if not better than, as our 31. She loves waves and chop as well. She has been known to do 7+ knots on our river (GPS, speed over ground). She flies! The only problem we have had so far is leaks through the toe rails that we fixed this summer thanks to the great forum. We feel that we can work on this boat as everything is accessible. We love the cockpit arrangement as we sail her with 2 adults and 2 kids and we tack and gybe A LOT as we live on a high wind river. We plan to do some cruising in the near future and feel that we can live aboard her very easily as we have done some weekend trips already with a 9yr old and 13yr old. We are replacing the main and roller furled jib with a new sails as they were the original ones. She doesn't do as well downwind, but we are going to go for (a poled out) spinnaker and that should fix the situation. WE usually go 50/50 downwind right now w/o spinnaker. No problems per se on the boat other than age, but I would say get a survey and do what is recommended; we are. We will take care of the holding tank as soon as we can as we feel that is the next priority. All in all, we would defintely do it again.
We just sold our '87 H31 which I LOVED. It was a clean boat that never gave us a problem. We now have an '86 H40 and also LOVE it. We are VERY happy with the upgrade and added room. My husband is 6'3" and appreciates standing upright! We just had a party with 8 people to dinner and it was not crowded either. Galley is very workable and fridge works great. I feel there has been no compromise on boat handing and she sails so EASILY! I am usually tentative at the helm in high winds but I do well with our 40. Handles and maneuvers very well in tight quarters. Our 9 yr old loves to take the helm whenever possible and she is fairly new to sailing (2 years). She loves high wind (30 knots plus no problem!)and points just as well, if not better than, as our 31. She loves waves and chop as well. She has been known to do 7+ knots on our river (GPS, speed over ground). She flies! The only problem we have had so far is leaks through the toe rails that we fixed this summer thanks to the great forum. We feel that we can work on this boat as everything is accessible. We love the cockpit arrangement as we sail her with 2 adults and 2 kids and we tack and gybe A LOT as we live on a high wind river. We plan to do some cruising in the near future and feel that we can live aboard her very easily as we have done some weekend trips already with a 9yr old and 13yr old. We are replacing the main and roller furled jib with a new sails as they were the original ones. She doesn't do as well downwind, but we are going to go for (a poled out) spinnaker and that should fix the situation. WE usually go 50/50 downwind right now w/o spinnaker. No problems per se on the boat other than age, but I would say get a survey and do what is recommended; we are. We will take care of the holding tank as soon as we can as we feel that is the next priority. All in all, we would defintely do it again.
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