We are considering a 212 since we want to trailer to several locations. However, when visiting HunterOwners.com I found several complaints about the boat. I'm wondering if this is a "bad" boat, or just that no one is expressing their satisfaction with ownership. Wew like the open transom feature of the boat, but are really concerned about Hunter quality now. Any responses?
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I'll bite...
The consistent "complaints" I hear from folks are about the tiller and hatch - otherwise, most owners seem to be happy with them. I think most folks think that it could/should have been more than it is. It's one of the few "new" models to be produced in a while, was hyped pretty heavily, and fell somewhat short of the hyped expectations. (I would fault Hunter on that.) I was tough on her in my review - but I pretty darn happy so far. Mine is exactly what I wanted; Easy to trailer, setup and launch, very low maintenance and a fast daysailor. Nothing I would overnight with my family in - but I probably wouldn't overnight in anything under 27 ft anyway. If I were mooring year round, I would probably have picked a different boat - but I'm not sure what
I sail on a number of like size boats (J24, Capri 22 and Catalina 22) and am happier with my boat because of the aforementioned reasons. My best advice is "be true to thine own self" and know exactly what you are looking for in a boat. Find the right boat and you'll be happy.
The consistent "complaints" I hear from folks are about the tiller and hatch - otherwise, most owners seem to be happy with them. I think most folks think that it could/should have been more than it is. It's one of the few "new" models to be produced in a while, was hyped pretty heavily, and fell somewhat short of the hyped expectations. (I would fault Hunter on that.) I was tough on her in my review - but I pretty darn happy so far. Mine is exactly what I wanted; Easy to trailer, setup and launch, very low maintenance and a fast daysailor. Nothing I would overnight with my family in - but I probably wouldn't overnight in anything under 27 ft anyway. If I were mooring year round, I would probably have picked a different boat - but I'm not sure what
I sail on a number of like size boats (J24, Capri 22 and Catalina 22) and am happier with my boat because of the aforementioned reasons. My best advice is "be true to thine own self" and know exactly what you are looking for in a boat. Find the right boat and you'll be happy.Prototype
I sailed the prototype of the 212 and others too that have left here. The open transom has always been questioned. First the boat is banana shaped which is lifted up by a following sea. It is great to dive out of. Yes a ladder can be added if you know how to do it and add a handrail or two. The materials are much improved and I do not see any problems. As for quality, you cannot get any better than Dave Eck, Jim Novak at Hunter Composites as they really take care of their boats. As for the design, I remember seeing the designs long before the dealers and most folks at Hunter. The big thing to remember is that you cannot use acetone on the boat. It is more durable than fiberglass. As for speed, it is fast and stable. Just another opinion by one who knows these boats too well Crazy Dave Condon
I sailed the prototype of the 212 and others too that have left here. The open transom has always been questioned. First the boat is banana shaped which is lifted up by a following sea. It is great to dive out of. Yes a ladder can be added if you know how to do it and add a handrail or two. The materials are much improved and I do not see any problems. As for quality, you cannot get any better than Dave Eck, Jim Novak at Hunter Composites as they really take care of their boats. As for the design, I remember seeing the designs long before the dealers and most folks at Hunter. The big thing to remember is that you cannot use acetone on the boat. It is more durable than fiberglass. As for speed, it is fast and stable. Just another opinion by one who knows these boats too well Crazy Dave Condon
Fun Boat
The H-212 is a great boat. The open transom has been developed over the past 15 years on many of the sport boat one design fleets sailing around the world. It keeps the aft end of the boat light and the water flows off the bottom clean. I've sailed mine in 28 knts of breeze and have no problem with the tiller. I can recommend this boat to anyone who would like a family day sailor or avid performance minded .
The H-212 is a great boat. The open transom has been developed over the past 15 years on many of the sport boat one design fleets sailing around the world. It keeps the aft end of the boat light and the water flows off the bottom clean. I've sailed mine in 28 knts of breeze and have no problem with the tiller. I can recommend this boat to anyone who would like a family day sailor or avid performance minded .
Hunter missed the mark
First I'd like to establish that I'm not a Hunter dealer like Butch and Dave, nor am I a 212 owner so I really don't know what I'm talking about. However I do have an opinion as I own a Hunter 23.5 and my next sailboat will likely be even smaller and easier to handle. Clearly this boat is the best new design in the trailerable 20 something foot class we have seen in a while. Hunter had a real opportunity to sweep the market with this design. Instead they let the details hurt them. All their previous boats near this size range came with a factory installed custom ladder that made a lot of sense, but they did not do it on the Hunter 212. I've heard that the motor mount is less than robust and the tiller quality has been questioned. It's too bad Hunter did not overbuild these items, because I have heard the boat sets up in a jiffy and sails like a dream. This could be the boat that J24 racers go to next if it were not for the perceived lack of quality. Instead I think more folks will buy the Capri 22 which is the other sporty design and the Hunter 212's most serious competitor.
First I'd like to establish that I'm not a Hunter dealer like Butch and Dave, nor am I a 212 owner so I really don't know what I'm talking about. However I do have an opinion as I own a Hunter 23.5 and my next sailboat will likely be even smaller and easier to handle. Clearly this boat is the best new design in the trailerable 20 something foot class we have seen in a while. Hunter had a real opportunity to sweep the market with this design. Instead they let the details hurt them. All their previous boats near this size range came with a factory installed custom ladder that made a lot of sense, but they did not do it on the Hunter 212. I've heard that the motor mount is less than robust and the tiller quality has been questioned. It's too bad Hunter did not overbuild these items, because I have heard the boat sets up in a jiffy and sails like a dream. This could be the boat that J24 racers go to next if it were not for the perceived lack of quality. Instead I think more folks will buy the Capri 22 which is the other sporty design and the Hunter 212's most serious competitor.
response to frank
The 212 Hunter is a good design. I have yet to find a perfect boat. Granted that a ladder is not a factory option but I can put one on. As for the motor mount, I have yet to have any complaints. If someone is going to put anything above a 5 hp on the motor mount, then they are going against my recommendations as a larger motor is too heavy and you are overpowered. The Capri 22 is a nice boat too. I should know as I see one when I walk out the door. Unfortunately, I must disagree with you on your asse3ssement of the 212. Crazy Dave Condon
The 212 Hunter is a good design. I have yet to find a perfect boat. Granted that a ladder is not a factory option but I can put one on. As for the motor mount, I have yet to have any complaints. If someone is going to put anything above a 5 hp on the motor mount, then they are going against my recommendations as a larger motor is too heavy and you are overpowered. The Capri 22 is a nice boat too. I should know as I see one when I walk out the door. Unfortunately, I must disagree with you on your asse3ssement of the 212. Crazy Dave Condon
Another 212 owner comments
I guess at least a couple of us 212 owners are out here. Yes, I find that my 212 is very easy to trail, launch, sail, and retrieve. Onto quality concerns. Yes the fit and finish could have been better. These seem to me just small issues. For me: The front hatch frame had to be resealed (factory installed with adhesive that missed the sealing surface), there is a spot of interior coating that was "smudged" (purely cosmetic), and there are small cracks that developed on the rear radii of the side ports (the dealer says bring the boat in and they will be fixed). As for functionality and durability, I have had only two problems so far. The bungee cord for the cabin hatch rotted (dry rot / sun damage) and he sail slides for the main sail are not sliding freely. (This I attribute to a maintenance issue as illustrated by other posts on this forum.} I have had no problems with the motor mount. I use a 5 HP four-stroke. The rudder and tiller? I noticed the other day that the lower aluminum block on the rudder head is rounding out a little <1/64" (stainless steel pintle rubbing on aluminum, you make the call on this one). The tiller still feels new. A la "Treasure of the Sierra Madre": Boarding ladders? We don't need no stinking boarding ladders. After a swim, boarding the boat is just simply "seal style". For us trailer-sailors: fair winds while sailing, no crosswinds while trailering.
I guess at least a couple of us 212 owners are out here. Yes, I find that my 212 is very easy to trail, launch, sail, and retrieve. Onto quality concerns. Yes the fit and finish could have been better. These seem to me just small issues. For me: The front hatch frame had to be resealed (factory installed with adhesive that missed the sealing surface), there is a spot of interior coating that was "smudged" (purely cosmetic), and there are small cracks that developed on the rear radii of the side ports (the dealer says bring the boat in and they will be fixed). As for functionality and durability, I have had only two problems so far. The bungee cord for the cabin hatch rotted (dry rot / sun damage) and he sail slides for the main sail are not sliding freely. (This I attribute to a maintenance issue as illustrated by other posts on this forum.} I have had no problems with the motor mount. I use a 5 HP four-stroke. The rudder and tiller? I noticed the other day that the lower aluminum block on the rudder head is rounding out a little <1/64" (stainless steel pintle rubbing on aluminum, you make the call on this one). The tiller still feels new. A la "Treasure of the Sierra Madre": Boarding ladders? We don't need no stinking boarding ladders. After a swim, boarding the boat is just simply "seal style". For us trailer-sailors: fair winds while sailing, no crosswinds while trailering.
Thank you for sharing
Rob; I appreciated the response. YOu are correct about the bungee chord which I find it to cursed. They need to change that Crazy Dave Condon
Rob; I appreciated the response. YOu are correct about the bungee chord which I find it to cursed. They need to change that Crazy Dave Condon
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