I am looking seriously (boat will be surveyed in two days) at a Hunter 40.5. I would appreciate hearing from owners pros and cons of this boat. I realize she isn't designed for serious bluewater sailors, but appears to be an extremely comfortable vessel for coastal cruising, Bahamas. Yea or nay? Bill Jones
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bob
h40.5.....great boat!!
last year i purchased a 1995 40.5 for fl west coast/keys/bahamas cruising...i couldn't he happier with the boat...good overall performance, close winded, good in light airs, roomy, good quality equipment, cleverly and thoughtfully designed...need i say more?...friends who are oriented to more traditional designs rave about the boat...the major drawback is that the mailsail is a bear to raise...i solved that problem by adding an electric halyard winch, which ifeel should have been std equipment...you'll also need an elec anchor windlass...i live in tampa and keep the boat at charlotte harbor...if you want to talk further, you can email me at sailor1543@aol.com......bob
last year i purchased a 1995 40.5 for fl west coast/keys/bahamas cruising...i couldn't he happier with the boat...good overall performance, close winded, good in light airs, roomy, good quality equipment, cleverly and thoughtfully designed...need i say more?...friends who are oriented to more traditional designs rave about the boat...the major drawback is that the mailsail is a bear to raise...i solved that problem by adding an electric halyard winch, which ifeel should have been std equipment...you'll also need an elec anchor windlass...i live in tampa and keep the boat at charlotte harbor...if you want to talk further, you can email me at sailor1543@aol.com......bob
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Rich Stidger
A Winner!
In 1998 we bought a leftover 1997 40.5, the last one the factory built. We are VERY pleased with the boat. As the last reply stated, Hunter has put a lot of thought into the design/features and all of our friends that have been on the boat have high praise. It CHARGES to windward, we have sailed at 4kt at 35 degrees apparent with 12kts of apparent windspeed. I second the need for an electric halyard winch- I installed one right from the start. Also an electric windlass. Sailing should be fun, not hard. Problems: All were solved by my dealer at delivery. Have had minor problems in the two years that we have owned. The weak areas are the Autohelm instruments, the Guest Battery charger, refridgerator/freezer seals. I will be happy to provide more details if you email me. After two years of sailing, I have found a few tricks to reduce frustration. Check for aft cabin leaks due to the portside toerail. That seems to be a class problem. Ours leaked, dealer repaired, no repeat problem. Not a big deal, but something to check. Rich
In 1998 we bought a leftover 1997 40.5, the last one the factory built. We are VERY pleased with the boat. As the last reply stated, Hunter has put a lot of thought into the design/features and all of our friends that have been on the boat have high praise. It CHARGES to windward, we have sailed at 4kt at 35 degrees apparent with 12kts of apparent windspeed. I second the need for an electric halyard winch- I installed one right from the start. Also an electric windlass. Sailing should be fun, not hard. Problems: All were solved by my dealer at delivery. Have had minor problems in the two years that we have owned. The weak areas are the Autohelm instruments, the Guest Battery charger, refridgerator/freezer seals. I will be happy to provide more details if you email me. After two years of sailing, I have found a few tricks to reduce frustration. Check for aft cabin leaks due to the portside toerail. That seems to be a class problem. Ours leaked, dealer repaired, no repeat problem. Not a big deal, but something to check. Rich
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Arthur Boas
Buy it !!!!
I purchased a 40.5 new in 1995. This is the last quasi traditional model that Hunter made before they got roll bar happy. Also, it is the last big boat with toe rails.. A MUST. If this boat surveys well, buy it, and don't be afraid to pay well. the 40.5's command top dollar, as a lot of people want Hunters, but don't like the new look. By the way, the Hunter customer service guys are a class act. Feel free to email me at aboas@cabletest.com for inside stuff if you buy it.
I purchased a 40.5 new in 1995. This is the last quasi traditional model that Hunter made before they got roll bar happy. Also, it is the last big boat with toe rails.. A MUST. If this boat surveys well, buy it, and don't be afraid to pay well. the 40.5's command top dollar, as a lot of people want Hunters, but don't like the new look. By the way, the Hunter customer service guys are a class act. Feel free to email me at aboas@cabletest.com for inside stuff if you buy it.
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Mickey McHugh
40.5 is a 10
In Oct 97 we also bought a leftover 1997 40.5, hull #730. We have lived aboard for 2 years and plan to take Yaga BLUE water voyaging when she is paid for. Debbie and I have had nothing but really good experiences with the boat, the dealer (Ship & Sail) and Hunter. As others have stated, Hunter has put a lot of thought into the 40.5 design/features and all of our friends that have been on the boat and other 40.5 owners we've met have had high praise. It came with an electric halyard winch, an electric windlass and A/C. I agree, sailing should be fun, not hard. We really move downwind with a North Gennaker w/ ATN sock. For windward we added a 155 Genoa (huge different over a 130). I plan to add a small genset in the port cockpit locker soon. Problems: All were solved by my dealer with Hunter's help during AND after the warranty period. The Guest Battery charger was replaced with the Guest model 2833 (see my recent post) and the companionway hatch got too hot, bowed up, the traveller attachment screws were too long and scratched the hatch when it was opened or closed, totally covered by Hunter. I too, will be happy to provide more details if you email me or just check HOW. After two years on HOW, I gotten so much help and have posted a few items that might help other owner's. I better check for any aft cabin leaks around the portside toerail. So far I had one leak around the wiring exit in the starboard cockpit locker where the wires go to the console. Hope all goes well and you are cruising the blue soon. Mickey & Debbie S/V Yaga
In Oct 97 we also bought a leftover 1997 40.5, hull #730. We have lived aboard for 2 years and plan to take Yaga BLUE water voyaging when she is paid for. Debbie and I have had nothing but really good experiences with the boat, the dealer (Ship & Sail) and Hunter. As others have stated, Hunter has put a lot of thought into the 40.5 design/features and all of our friends that have been on the boat and other 40.5 owners we've met have had high praise. It came with an electric halyard winch, an electric windlass and A/C. I agree, sailing should be fun, not hard. We really move downwind with a North Gennaker w/ ATN sock. For windward we added a 155 Genoa (huge different over a 130). I plan to add a small genset in the port cockpit locker soon. Problems: All were solved by my dealer with Hunter's help during AND after the warranty period. The Guest Battery charger was replaced with the Guest model 2833 (see my recent post) and the companionway hatch got too hot, bowed up, the traveller attachment screws were too long and scratched the hatch when it was opened or closed, totally covered by Hunter. I too, will be happy to provide more details if you email me or just check HOW. After two years on HOW, I gotten so much help and have posted a few items that might help other owner's. I better check for any aft cabin leaks around the portside toerail. So far I had one leak around the wiring exit in the starboard cockpit locker where the wires go to the console. Hope all goes well and you are cruising the blue soon. Mickey & Debbie S/V Yaga
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Ron Hughes
The 40.5 is Da Bomb!
From: Hughes <hughcorp@teleport.com> To: <kywmjones@prodigy.com> Subject: Fw: Sounds like you're 'gonna get a kewl boat Bill! Date: Wednesday, October 06, 1999 9:40 AM ----- Original Message ----- From: Hughes <hughcorp@teleport.com> To: <kywmjones@prodigy.com> Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 8:40 AM Subject: Sounds like you're 'gonna get a kewl boat Bill! > This is an auto generated response > > Please Do Not Respond To This Message > > ------------------------------------------------ > Your e-mail message cannot be read at this time. The following address(es) are currently invalid. > kywmjones@prodigy.com > ----------------------------------------As I'm sure you can see Bill I tried to send you an e-=mail but had little success. So here is my note as a forum response, Ron-------- > Bill, I'm flattered that you sought out my opinion. I hope that you either > have read, or will read my review of the 40.5 on the HOW. First I feel > strongly that you have made an excellent choice in choosing a Hunter, and > most especially the 40.5. The most common problem that I'm aware of is > water (rain) entering the aft stateroom via the steering pedestal and > falling into the center of the berth. If you have canvas, like a bimini or > pedestal cover, the problem is either eliminated or minimized. I have a > very small leak from my anchor locker that seeps into the bilge. I am > confidant that it will be easy to fix. My port chainplate was re-bedded > sometime before I got my boat last spring. There is a little rust evident > at the large nut where the rod that supports the rigging disappears into the > port settee. There is no leak now. Some sailors have reported that their > aft vents, the ones that enter thru the transom and then into the aft cabin, > have leaked. I think that Hunter fixed the problem by adding an angle to > the outboard fitting allowing water to drain out before going any further. > At any rate some have gotten water into their aft lockers. That ends the > report on problems. All rain related. I have some suggestions for a few > things that I feel Hunter should have added. The fuel filter is inadequate. > Install two Racor water separating filters in a redundant fashion. Diesel > tanks send all of their crud to the engine at just the wrong time: Just as > you are reaching the most nasty water and need your engine most! If you can > flip a couple valves and run your fuel thru the second filter as you replace > the first, your fuel supply will remain continuous. *Hunters back down like > a fork lift on rails. The problem is getting the boat going fast enough in > a short time. The answer is a 3 blade Max-Prop. The blades flip over when > you shift from forward to reverse. The bottom line is that you get as much > thrust in reverse as in forward. Invaluable in close quarters with a boat > whose bow blows right off in a breeze. Remember, a 40.5 will turn on a dime > IF you are going fast enough in foreward. Oh that reminds me. I had to > replace the white plastic bearing at the top of the rudder. It is a bearing > that holds the rudder stock as it enters the boat. Mine was cracked and > allowed the rudder to come in contact with the hull. Check for full > excursion of the rudder with no touching. * I can't tell you in words how > much difference having the rig professionally and properly tuned made to the > way our boat points and stands up when going to weather in a big breeze > (18-28 kts). I highly recommend it! *Compressed natural gas is a pain. We > switched to propane and would recommend it to you as well. * If you take out > the drawers and bulkhead under the forward berth, you get a huge new locker. > We keep our asymmetrical spinnaker there now! As you can see, we have had > few problems with our boat other than a few top-side leaks. Most of the > fixes that we have done have been additions that Hunter obviously left out > for reasons of final purchase cost. I have lots more if you are interested. > The boat is a sound one as far as I have been able to ascertain. I do, > however feel that upgrades are imperative to assure safety aboard as well as > to improve both comfort and ease of use. I hope that these thoughts have > been of help to you Bill, I would enjoy hearing from you again! Cap'n Ron > s/v Best Revenge Portland Oregon! >
From: Hughes <hughcorp@teleport.com> To: <kywmjones@prodigy.com> Subject: Fw: Sounds like you're 'gonna get a kewl boat Bill! Date: Wednesday, October 06, 1999 9:40 AM ----- Original Message ----- From: Hughes <hughcorp@teleport.com> To: <kywmjones@prodigy.com> Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 8:40 AM Subject: Sounds like you're 'gonna get a kewl boat Bill! > This is an auto generated response > > Please Do Not Respond To This Message > > ------------------------------------------------ > Your e-mail message cannot be read at this time. The following address(es) are currently invalid. > kywmjones@prodigy.com > ----------------------------------------As I'm sure you can see Bill I tried to send you an e-=mail but had little success. So here is my note as a forum response, Ron-------- > Bill, I'm flattered that you sought out my opinion. I hope that you either > have read, or will read my review of the 40.5 on the HOW. First I feel > strongly that you have made an excellent choice in choosing a Hunter, and > most especially the 40.5. The most common problem that I'm aware of is > water (rain) entering the aft stateroom via the steering pedestal and > falling into the center of the berth. If you have canvas, like a bimini or > pedestal cover, the problem is either eliminated or minimized. I have a > very small leak from my anchor locker that seeps into the bilge. I am > confidant that it will be easy to fix. My port chainplate was re-bedded > sometime before I got my boat last spring. There is a little rust evident > at the large nut where the rod that supports the rigging disappears into the > port settee. There is no leak now. Some sailors have reported that their > aft vents, the ones that enter thru the transom and then into the aft cabin, > have leaked. I think that Hunter fixed the problem by adding an angle to > the outboard fitting allowing water to drain out before going any further. > At any rate some have gotten water into their aft lockers. That ends the > report on problems. All rain related. I have some suggestions for a few > things that I feel Hunter should have added. The fuel filter is inadequate. > Install two Racor water separating filters in a redundant fashion. Diesel > tanks send all of their crud to the engine at just the wrong time: Just as > you are reaching the most nasty water and need your engine most! If you can > flip a couple valves and run your fuel thru the second filter as you replace > the first, your fuel supply will remain continuous. *Hunters back down like > a fork lift on rails. The problem is getting the boat going fast enough in > a short time. The answer is a 3 blade Max-Prop. The blades flip over when > you shift from forward to reverse. The bottom line is that you get as much > thrust in reverse as in forward. Invaluable in close quarters with a boat > whose bow blows right off in a breeze. Remember, a 40.5 will turn on a dime > IF you are going fast enough in foreward. Oh that reminds me. I had to > replace the white plastic bearing at the top of the rudder. It is a bearing > that holds the rudder stock as it enters the boat. Mine was cracked and > allowed the rudder to come in contact with the hull. Check for full > excursion of the rudder with no touching. * I can't tell you in words how > much difference having the rig professionally and properly tuned made to the > way our boat points and stands up when going to weather in a big breeze > (18-28 kts). I highly recommend it! *Compressed natural gas is a pain. We > switched to propane and would recommend it to you as well. * If you take out > the drawers and bulkhead under the forward berth, you get a huge new locker. > We keep our asymmetrical spinnaker there now! As you can see, we have had > few problems with our boat other than a few top-side leaks. Most of the > fixes that we have done have been additions that Hunter obviously left out > for reasons of final purchase cost. I have lots more if you are interested. > The boat is a sound one as far as I have been able to ascertain. I do, > however feel that upgrades are imperative to assure safety aboard as well as > to improve both comfort and ease of use. I hope that these thoughts have > been of help to you Bill, I would enjoy hearing from you again! Cap'n Ron > s/v Best Revenge Portland Oregon! >
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