Hi there,
Just a quick heads-up: the Hunter 41 Deck Salon (DS) wasn’t introduced until 2006, so the 1998 boat you saw is most likely a Hunter 410. I own a 1998 410 myself and can share a few insights specific to the 410 and not just normal boat issues.
If the arch was ever removed for transport it likely was not reinstalled properly and leaked. This leak rots the aft interior bulkhead top corners. about 1/4 the 410s I looked at before buying mine had this problem, the one I bought had this problem but since I wanted to redesign the aft bulkhead for better access to the back of the boat I was fine with having to fix it.
If the boat has a generator it is installed in the starboard aft lazarette - not easy to work on in there. My solution was to redesign the aft bulkhead that separates the cabin from this equipment so that most of the aft bulkhead can be removed easily in 3 sections with great access to everything behind it.
If the boat still has its original freezer/refrigeration equipment (compressor, cold plate etc.), plan on replacing it. Also, the divider between the fridge and freezer tends to rot over time—worth checking if it’s already been addressed.
There’s a plywood separator between the aft lazarettes that doesn’t serve much purpose beyond dividing the space, but it’s also prone to rot. Another thing to look out for: water can collect below the engine pan because there’s no limber hole to drain into the keel stub. Adding one is a simple fix and helps prevent moisture buildup.
None of these issues are deal-breakers—they’re all manageable. Overall, the 410 is a solid boat that improved on the previous generation. It shares the same hull and rig as the Hunter 420.
Happy hunting!
