Hunter 41DS New Owner

16volt

.
Apr 7, 2026
14
Hunter 41DS Semiahoo
Just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Shannon and our offer on a '06 Hunter 41DS was accepted today! We owned a 99 Hunter 380 for bit and have chartered all over the world. We are based in the PNW (Seattle) but the boat will be moored up north in Blaine.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,032
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Welcome to the SBO group. We have many professionals here with advice.

I own a Hunter 430.

Jim...
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,580
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Welcome. Not a Hunter owner but have known a few. Blaine is a great jumping off point for sailing in the Salish seas. Maybe we’ll meet in an anchorage. Have a great year.
 

16volt

.
Apr 7, 2026
14
Hunter 41DS Semiahoo
Welcome. Not a Hunter owner but have known a few. Blaine is a great jumping off point for sailing in the Salish seas. Maybe we’ll meet in an anchorage. Have a great year.
Thanks, we used to moored out of Bellingham but wanted something cheaper and not have to do the slog across the bay.
 
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MFD

.
Jun 23, 2016
287
Hunter 41DS Pacific NW USA
Welcome.

I also have a Hunter 41DS. A ~2009 and one of the first after they switched from lead to iron keels and from teak veneer to synthetic on the interior after the 2008 financial crisis.

Generally happy with the boat, very much like the practical design, although a bit disappointed here and there with some of the construction short cuts.

Very good and roomy coastal cruisers. Congrats!
 
Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Welcome, Shannon, and congrats. We purchased our boat in Semiamoo, not Semiahoo. Blaine is nice, but we keep our boat in Shelter Bay, which is much closer to our home in Mukilteo, as well as for those poor souls living in Seattle :).
 

16volt

.
Apr 7, 2026
14
Hunter 41DS Semiahoo
Thank you everyone. We are purchasing the boat from Canada and boy has that been a pain to get done. Hopefully we get to step on board Friday!

Then its on to boat projects.
 

16volt

.
Apr 7, 2026
14
Hunter 41DS Semiahoo
Welcome.

I also have a Hunter 41DS. A ~2009 and one of the first after they switched from lead to iron keels and from teak veneer to synthetic on the interior after the 2008 financial crisis.

Generally happy with the boat, very much like the practical design, although a bit disappointed here and there with some of the construction short cuts.

Very good and roomy coastal cruisers. Congrats!
Yeah, we looked at a bunch of other boats in similar lengths and builders and the Hunter really won us over. The only thing other than updated electronics that I wish it had is a bow thruster. We had those on some charters and its such a cheat code for docking.

PXL_20260315_195450989.MP by Shannon, on Flickr
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,580
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Learn to use a spring line, and you will wonder what all the fuss is about. It will get you safely tied up, save you the hassle of thruster maintenance, add speed to your cruising, and let you never worry about whether the thruster battery is functioning.

In this link, it is identified as a "Stern Bridle".

For a twist to deal with the wooden bulwarks used on Canadian docks, pick up a grappling hook. The same technique can be used to slip up to and secure on the wood bulwarks.

1778098901115.png
 
Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
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MFD

.
Jun 23, 2016
287
Hunter 41DS Pacific NW USA
Yeah, we looked at a bunch of other boats in similar lengths and builders and the Hunter really won us over. The only thing other than updated electronics that I wish it had is a bow thruster. We had those on some charters and its such a cheat code for docking.

PXL_20260315_195450989.MP by Shannon, on Flickr
You are not missing too much without the bow thruster.

As others have noted, the boat turns on a dime. Which can be a blessing or a curse depending on the kind of sailing one does.

I have the bow thruster option on my boat. And yes, I do use it, and I do find it handy as I am solo much of the time.

Meanwhile given the space the boat has to install it, I can understand why it such a puny device.

I find it mostly useful, again solo docking, for minor touch up once in a while. It is also useful on departure to kick the bow out like in the Ballard locks near Seattle.

I know I have talked about where I use it, but with this particular boat it is useless in any kind of moderate wind/gusts where you might want a bow thruster.

There is so much freeboard, the bow thruster can not really do anything at all.

I have also found backing in this boat, which many sailboat owners dread, to be much easier to do than traditional bow-in. Windage and visibility being two reasons.