Hunter vision 36'

[sj01]

We have purchased a 1993 Hunter Vision 36'. For better or worse it is our first sailboat (flamers need not apply here). Love it! My question of fellow owners is if anyone knows of any quirks particular with this model that a newbie should be aware of, or any advice (besides the obvious if you please). She has a winged keel, 34 hp yanmar, huge freestanding mast, and more sheet (yes, I said SHEET) then I could have imagined. Main sheet in particular. We have actually been self educating in combination with books, the local yacht club races, friends, and hoping to set up a day sail with friends we have met at the local yacht club. We have sailed a couple of times using only the main getting about 6.5 knots (which was just fine with us). I digress, please share any stories, pertinent tips, any experieinced quirks if possible. Of particular interest are fellow owners of this model....very curious about those folks Thanks for taking time to read and respond (in advance).
Sj

 

[Mike H.]

Congratulations! We bought a 94 Vision 36 in 09. We love it. We are in San Francisco bay area and the winds are quite strong. It's a tender boat in strong winds. However in light air it is fast downwind. These boats are very roomy. We reef a lot and the reefing system is a pain in the ass. If your reefing system has not been upgraded, plan on rebuilding the shuttle blocks inside the boom, changing to new smaller size reefing line, and putting some blocks on the sail at the points where the reefing lines attach to the foot(?) of the sail. Changing the water pump impeller is another pain in the ass, just pull the starter, then change your impeller. If you have the original aluminum holding tank, plan on upgrading to plastic. My next chore is replacing the fill hose for the diesel tank. They glassed a floor on top of the tank, squishing the hose which caused a leak 17 years later. It's a boat, there is always things to fix. Search my posts, they are full of info on repairs that you probably will be doing. There is another member on this site that has a Vision 36, Steve Dion. He will probably post to this soon. Oh one more thing. Be careful using the power winch, we tore our main raising it with the power winch. And don't run the winch for too long, it trips the breaker and it takes forever for the circuit to cool down so you can reset the breaker.

 

[Rick D]

Visions

I had a wonderful Vision 32 for nine years. Sometimes I wish I still had her, and if I downsize, it would be back to a V32, even though I love my 40.5 too. Since I don't have a 36 (I couldn't find one when I was looking), I won't bore you with comments, but if I were to win the lottery and build a custom, it would look very familiar to you. A free standing mast is great and you made a smart choice for your first sailboat. Welcome, and feel free to ask anything on this forum.

 

[Steve Dion]

Well I have a slightly different take on the boat. I do not think it is tender in heavy winds. We have been able to run down wind in 30-35kt winds with a full main (no need for the jib). It is a handful but it can handle it. Not have shrounds makes the boat easy to run with and I would have a problem buying another boat with traditional rigging. The reefing system IS a problem, but it is workable and may take a little working with to get it right.

I have taken a little different approach to the raw water impeller issue. I cut an access port into the side of the engine compartment and I installed a SpeedSeal to make the process much easier.

I have not had any issue with the electric winch. We have had a problem with the original Garhauer clutches holding the main halyard. The early models only had single springs. I purchase new ones that have double springs, no more problems.

By the way HV'36 owners, do you have an electric windlass? If so can you send me or post a couple of photos? Need to do something but not sure which ones will work.

 

[sj01]

Thanks so much to all for the great 411! We do not have an electric windlass (which I queried when we looked at the boat). We did upgrade the anchor from a burce to a Rocna-type anchor (can't think of the other brand name at the moment). We are also going to install new elbows on the engine (freshwater mix/exhaust elbows?). Interesting inputs on the reefing system. Will research it as I do not think there have been upgrades to it on that end. We are in Tampa, Florida which is a great place for a boat as long as there are no hurricanes or waterspouts *crosses EVERYTHING*. Will keep you guys posted and looking forward to many wonderful trips on her. She's a beauty that's for sure! If you think of anything else please drop a line...we are still getting oriented with terms so bear with me. How do you guys handle having a dinghy? We may tow ours, but wonder how others have handled? Any recommendations on battery bank? I believe we are sorely underpowered in this area. Also, any nighttime adventures? We found it needs just a bit of lighting in the cockpit area. Yes, our list is growing all the time But so happy to have found this site- thanks again all! Fair winds- S.

 

[seadaddler]

Congra's

Hope you have great sailing with your new to you boat and your in a great sailing area for sure,we are just south of you in Charlotte Harbor and we love it hear and hope to cross paths one day in our cruising around the area.
Nick

 

[Mike H.]

Well I have a slightly different take on the boat. I do not think it is tender in heavy winds. We have been able to run down wind in 30-35kt winds with a full main (no need for the jib). It is a handful but it can handle it. Not have shrounds makes the boat easy to run with and I would have a problem buying another boat with traditional rigging. The reefing system IS a problem, but it is workable and may take a little working with to get it right.

I have taken a little different approach to the raw water impeller issue. I cut an access port into the side of the engine compartment and I installed a SpeedSeal to make the process much easier.

I have not had any issue with the electric winch. We have had a problem with the original Garhauer clutches holding the main halyard. The early models only had single springs. I purchase new ones that have double springs, no more problems.

By the way HV'36 owners, do you have an electric windlass? If so can you send me or post a couple of photos? Need to do something but not sure which ones will work.

Steve:

I'll snap a couple of pics of my windlass. It has a smooth gypsy for rode. I'd like to change the gypsy to a chain type and go with anchor chain. But I don't know if you can change the gypsy on my windlass.

Vision 36 not a tender boat? Have you ever sailed in the slot?

Mike

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike:

Yes I have sailed in the slot. You may notice that 75% of the boats are over on their ear when you sail in that area! <g>

Considering your 36' boat has a 54' mast, I think they sail well in a blow. That is also why they have reefs in the main!!! <g>

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike:

Just a thought! My boat was very lightly used (very much like new). The sails are in really good shape. You may have some issues with a stretched out main too.

 

[Mike H.]

Mike:

Yes I have sailed in the slot. You may notice that 75% of the boats are over on their ear when you sail in that area! <g>

Considering your 36' boat has a 54' mast, I think they sail well in a blow. That is also why they have reefs in the main!!! <g>

We're usually double reefed in that area. When we sail without guests aboard, we push the boat and it does sail well in heavy winds. Once you get over the fear factor, you can really move.

It tends to spill wind and round up. Maybe I'm pointing too close to the wind.

 

[Mike H.]

Mike:

Just a thought! My boat was very lightly used (very much like new). The sails are in really good shape. You may have some issues with a stretched out main too.

I'm not sure how to gauge the life of sails. I think our boat was not sailed much. The last owner was a liveaboard.

How do you know if a main is stretched out?

I'm thinking about a stack pack. Can that be added to an existing sail?

 

[stephen Penny]

Mike H,

When sailing in the SF bay slot let your sail out to spill wind and of course reef both the main and job the same to balance the boat and do it early, which I am sure you do. This will eliminate the fear factor. I have a 480 sqft main and it is a thrill in 25 knots like I experienced this past Saturday.

You can purchase a stack pack for your existing sail.

If you are concerned about a stretched sail I would consult with a local sail loft or maker such as UK, North or Quantum.

Steve
Marina Bay Yacht Harbor D43

 

[Mike H.]

Mike H,

When sailing in the SF bay slot let your sail out to spill wind and of course reef both the main and job the same to balance the boat and do it early, which I am sure you do. This will eliminate the fear factor. I have a 480 sqft main and it is a thrill in 25 knots like I experienced this past Saturday.

You can purchase a stack pack for your existing sail.

If you are concerned about a stretched sail I would consult with a local sail loft or maker such as UK, North or Quantum.

Steve
Marina Bay Yacht Harbor D43

Thanks for the info neighbor. We're at MBYH slip E343.
Mike

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike:

I did price out a stack pack type cover at SailExpo 2 years ago. They quoted me approx $100/ft of boom length. That was just a little rich for my blood, but I would really like to have one (just not for that price).

 

[Mike H.]

Mike:

I did price out a stack pack type cover at SailExpo 2 years ago. They quoted me approx $100/ft of boom length. That was just a little rich for my blood, but I would really like to have one (just not for that price).

Ouch! There will have to be a major economic rebound before we can spend that kind of dough. 2012?