Hunter Bashing

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Mar 4, 2004
347
Hunter 37.5 Orcas Island, WA
Here's the latest from another thread currently running on the site: "Hunters are the Ford Pinto's of the sailing world, they made a lot of 'em. But this does not change the fact that your boat, the H34 is a poorly designed model from a manufacturer that is held in low regard by most serious people." Listening to this nonsense, you'd swear that Hunters were falling apart at the seams all over the world, sinking and drowning their crews. To the contrary lots and lots of Hunters are sailing all over the place to the joy, satisfaction and safety of their owners. I'm not timid, but I am a pretty careful guy. We sail our boat in places where our lives are dependent on our sailing skills and on the integrity of our boat. I made the pilgrimage to Alachua last year to get a first-hand view of Hunter production methods and to interview management. The web site link was my report on that visit. If someone has actual facts on design and manufacturing problems, it would be interesting to hear them. If all they're going to do is repeat their unfounded opinions and hearsay, my opinion is they should keep their mouths shut. I'll get off my soapbox now (at least for the time being). Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
You know Gary, the fellow who posted that was,

how shall I phrase it? How about "unclean"? He was able to type the English language but his brain was not connected to his fingers.
 
Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Hi Gary , on a brighter note,...

we just returned from our two month Broughton Island cruise. Met Bill Proctor and spent about two hours chatting with him as we toured his museum. Delightful fellow. Terry
 
Mar 4, 2004
347
Hunter 37.5 Orcas Island, WA
Terry

Isn't Bill Proctor an interesting guy? Glad you had a good trip. How was your weather up North? Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
ah yes

I get that all the time. Hunters are made cheap. Hunters are weak. You will die in your Hunter. I admit Hunter does cut cost in some areas...like the head hoses for example (cheap and too long). Small winches. The foam in the custions is another. These things though are easily replace down the road and mostlikely will have to be replaced anyway at some point. On the other hand I can find lots of good ideas I like on my boat too like the B&R rig, the open transom, the sunken hatches, the stanless steal compression post, tons of sail per displacement, big chainplates that bolt up to the hull, long water line, big thick rub rail, and on and on. I think what people fail to forget is that each maker makes different models for different types of buyers. A buyer of a Hunter 25' is a protected water sailor so their is no need load the boat with strength that's just going to make the boat a pain in the pocketbook. So some will look at a Hunter 25' and say "I would never buy a Hunter" knowing little of the quality of the boats built for non-protected waters. A Hunter 25' is just perfect for what it's made for. So let the other guys pay twice as much for their boat and have to use their motor twice as much and do less sailing. We know better. BTW: Fred, many have said the same thing about me :)
 

abe

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Jan 2, 2007
736
- - channel islands
Hunter, Catalina, Beneteau, more like mid size

family Ford or Chevy. Fair to good quality for the masses. Not a Benz, not a Cadillac nor a Lincoln. But a Pinto, thats offensive. Could have been worse...a Yugo. abe
 
D

Daryl

Yup

Although the company is successful they focus more on cost cutting than the quality of their product. At least the compared it to the Pinto (another financial success) and not the HUGO!
 
Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Gary, indeed. Weather was nice...

for the most part, but cooler. Overcast days were more frequent, a bit more rain. Really enjoyed Alert Bay and Mamalilaculla on Village Island with the First Nation artifacts. Terry
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
I owned a Pinto and Loved It!

I currently own a Hunter Legend 37 (1988) and love it, too!
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
It's hard to fathom....

...why anyone would want to denigrate another mans boat(or anything else for that matter). You have to wonder what type of mental state a person is in who needs to put down what other have in favor of his own choice. Ford, Chevy, Rolls Royce, Porcshe.....they all get from point A to point B and they all break down and need service. Boats are no different. Tell these sad people to go sailing and forget their bad manners and hostility. :)
 
May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
Alway be emphatic

Did an overnight trip to a marina that was having an Island Packet rondevous with about 15 boats, that had reserved the end of one dock ( the Sea Ray guys had the other end, which is a whole other story). In the morning I am motoring out and all the Island Packet crews are having a coffee get together on the dock. When I get abeam of them, I sound the air horn twice ( which signals two things (1) I have an air horn and whats the other thing, oh yah,(2) I am departing the berth). They all look over and I yell "OLD HUNTERS RULE", which was received with smiles and a couple of thumbs up. They knew I was just having fun. We all knew we had the boat that works for our intended use and needs.
 

abe

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Jan 2, 2007
736
- - channel islands
I wonder if you can buy a boat license plate...

that says "My other boat is a Hallberg Rassey"? Maybe all start a new trend and place it in the stern of the boat. abe
 
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