Previous or current H40.5 owners

[SLE]

I am looking for our next sailboat and would like info on the H40.5 1991 to 1997.
Why did you sell it?
Would you buy one again if you could go back?
What about interior storage for months of provision?
2 or 3 rooms?
Do you like the sail plan, big main/small jib?

Our intentional use is Fl to Bahamas and may be down the island chain, but not going out of the Caribbean sea. Island hopping and occasional overnight. We have done that on our previous sailboat (IP35) from 2009 to 2015, 12000 n-miles, so we have some experience. We are now looking for a faster, better light air sailing, scoop aft, less exterior teak....

Thanks

 

[Rick D]

We have the two stateroom. The boat has sailed on her bottom all over, so use isn't an issue. We have had ours for 19 years. We have spent a month aboard without feeling cramped. I have known others who lived aboard full time. It has plenty of water. The fuel tankage may be light at a reported 40 gallons. Good storage; refrigeration and freezer are large capacity. Most systems are accessible. Good light wind performance if a feathering or folding prop. Good motoring performance. Good all-round boat. See the owner reviews here: https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/resources/index.php?task=model&mid=43

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

We owned one for about 10 years. When we sold it, the rudder was delaminating as was the deck around the anchor locker (all those screws allowed water entry) and there were some voids in the topsides. I don't know how common any of those issues are but you asked so...

Storage is comparatively limited. We had problems finding space just for a 2week cruise.

It was a nice sailing boat fast on all points and easy to maneuver in tight spaces too. Should be a great fit for the Bahamas.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have a 1997 model- one of the last out of the factory. We just finished our 20th sailing season. We have the model with the vee berth and the one large aft cabin.
I would absolutely buy this boat again. It is as fast as most 40-footers, will do well in light air (under 10-12kts) and with the hi-aspect rig, it charges to windward.
The big main is a challenge to raise unless you have an electric winch. I consider it mandatory. You also need some kind of track system on the main to reduce friction for raising /lowering. I had the Strong Track system and found it worked quite well.
When we have been on 4-6 week cruises, we use the vee berth for extra food storage.
The only downside is that the mast is 63' 3" and I don't think that includes the anchor light, wind transducer, or VHF antenna. Given the predominate 65' bridge clearances, I am definitely not looking forward to transiting them. To date the lowest fixed bridge I have gone under is 70', and I didn't like it at all! Don't confuse me with numbers......
The exterior teak is minimal but this winter I am going to replace all I can with a plastic wood substitute- pretty much just the stern and bow seats.

 

[SLE]

Thanks, good info.

Don: If it comes to an accepted offer, I will make sure the surveyor double check the rudder and around the anchor locker.

Rick : I am also a bit concerned about the tall mast on the ICW, but I know it can be done. I have seen boat waiting for lower tide beside a bridge and calling the passing boats for a reading.

On our previous boat, we used to call the second berth : ''the garage'', but it was not the V berth.

 

[Rick D]

The prior owner of my boat removed the drawers and structure from under the V-berth foundation and replaced it with double louvered doors. I call that "the garage" and I carry an extensive stock of tools and spares in there. I highly recommend it. Some other issues include leakage at and damage to the aft bulkhead. That was caused by the outside shower fitting loosened and leaking on to the starboard aft water tank and then flowing down on to the base and into the bulkhead. I capped mine off after chasing it and later put in-line valves under the aft head sink to close off the feeds when we were not using it. There can also be leaks under the salon floor panels over the two belly water tanks. The tanks are molded into the sole and have covers screwed on to the top which can loosen with time. In my case, it was only a matter of removing the screws and re-bedding them to cure it. Of, and of course, the holding tank should have been replaced by now. Those are the common issues I recall. Of course, like any boat, it's used and probably modified, so it needs a thorough survey and inspection. But, you know that. I think it's a terrific boat that has served us well and would likely you as well.

 

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[artboas]

Ok, here's my story
I was stuck between H 40.5 and a beneteau 40.5.
My problem was that my previous boats all had furling mains, and I would never have a sailboat without one. At that point, Hunter didn't offer it as an option.
I told them that I loved the 40.5 interior, and really thought it was a far more advanced boat than the beneteau.
I flat out told hunter that I was ready to purchase, but they were going to lose the order.
They called me back the next day, and said I could have in mast furling at no extra charge.
Wrote the cheque, and off we went.
The rig is very tall on this boat, and the fractional sail plan is fantastic. I would not buy this boat without furling main. Way too much to hoist.
Buy a first class set of cruising sails, and the boat flies.
We had the 2 cabin version.
I would buy this boat again. Engine and shaft. Access is amazing.
No doubt you'll find areas of deck delamination.
The boat has really nice lines. Interior is very bright & airy.
The helm is excellent from a response standpoint. The steering design uses a radial drive, which is very clever.
Our rudder had cracking. Once you fix it, or in a removable drain plug, and let the water out each time you haul. That way it won't freeze & crack.
The wiring system is good, as long as nobody got their amateur mitts into it.
The holding tank is garbage (aluminum) and must be replaced. Lots of forum talk on this
Good luck

 

[SLE]

Current owner told me that he is always on one reef, I see why now.
That rudder seams a weak spot.
Deck delamination : can it be repaired? Noting to do? Is it a major problem?
Personally I prefer the simplicity of a standard main sail, I like remote places and anything mechanical will, one day, break.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Franklin]

I don't have that boat but a H376 from 1996 and have some comments (imagine that).

1) I have a furling main and I doubt I will have another. Not that it doesn't work, it works great and I treat it badly too. I don't change course to reef...just let out of outhaul and furl a little at a time until I am satisfied (not how one is supposed to furl it). With that said, the shape changes of the sail after furling it, moving the belly aft. Now granted the sail area is moving forward so the belly moving to the middle of the sail isn't that bad, but it is not what I would get by normal reefing. I agree with SLE that the less to break the better. I am in Tonga now and worry about things breaking out here. In fact, last time I checked with ZSpar they do not make the parts for this furling mast anymore. Also, I have noticed that when I furl, I tend to take in just about the same amount a reef would be. I've had this boat for 12+ years now.

2) I resent that ole 'I'm just doing the Bahamas and Caribbean so a Hunter should be fine'. I'm out here with all kinds of boats I feel are a much worse designed and built boat than my Hunter and it seems many of the 'bluewater' boats have a lot more problems and issues than I do.

3) All boats have problems and most are manufacture defects. I've had a major creaky problem on this boat (17 of them) and now that I have fixed them all and the boat doesn't creak and doesn't leak, I can tell you all of them were due to manufacture defects. So why defend Hunters? Because every other boat manufacture has the same problems. I know because I have been asking the captains out here. They all creak. They all break things including rudders.

I now have a family so it has gotten a bit crowded so once I have finished my around the world trip in 4 years I will be looking for a bigger boat. I've been open minded to any boat, including cats but after my initial search, I'm looking at a Hunter 50' CC. There are way too many positives in Hunters that outweigh the negatives.

 

[smokey73]

I love my 1994 Hunter 40.5. The 63.5 ft (without VHF mast, windex, etc) mast height is always a concern on the ICW but except for a few bridges that cause a possible delay until the tide goes out it is manageable. If you're in a hurry on a long transit you shouldn't be on a sailboat anyway! I came down from Annapolis to Beaufort SC and except for the Wilkersen Bridge near Belhaven NC had no real problems. It looks scary but if you have 65 feet clearance you make it fine. Check your boat first to make sure you aren't higher for some reason but I used the 65 foot height markers and never tinged the VHF mast. Your first transit at that bridge clearance will scare the heck out of you. My understanding is that for the bridges is that the marked height is at the lowest clearance point and it may be a little higher in the middle of the span but I disavow any claim of the accuracy of that statement

In addition to the waste tank (which if it hasn't been replaced, you will have do it later with a poly tank) check the fuel tank. Have the surveyor check the fuel tank for "weeping" from the bottom of the tank. You can buy a new thicker aluminum tank from the original manufacturer (Ezell in FL) for somewhere in the $700 range if I recall correctly. They have the original drawings. It can come out the top of the port lazerette but you'll probably have to remove the port aft bulkhead to get at it. I did it myself and replaced the aft bulkhead since I had the water tank leak that has been mention before.

You can add an electric conversion kit to the Halyard winch to raise the main and it is a must unless you're 35 and "ripped". There is a place it will fit (very tightly) right under the winch where the stbd light in the aft cabins is located. I installed it myself and its a very tight fit but it does fit. Running the electric was as hard as installing the motor itself.

I had the same problem with the stb belly tank leaking on the top and damaging the flooring. I re-bedded the screws and that took care of it.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Have a 93 40.5 and love it. Have not had any problems with rudder, holding tank or fuel tank. All OEM. sails great in all wind conditions. Get ready to do a lot of beating though in light airs as it preforms well enough in light airs that the apparent wind comes forward A LOT. Any fast boat will have that "problem" though. I have the twin aft salon configuration. The main is a real workout to raise without the electric winch. Found the main cause of that to be the deck organizers under the sea hood. The sea hood is not removable by normal humans BTW. The fixed that on later models. Had to cut the hood while in place to expose the deck organizers. Did the live aboard thing for 6 months and did not have any problems at all. While most would call the fuel tank a bit small I've found that 40 gal last over 2 years (owned it 9 years now). Yea, I've only filled up 5 times!!! We invested in an asym spinnaker highly recommend one. One thing while living aboard that was an issue is the salon gets pretty warm when the sun shines and the weather is hot. I stitched up some old sailcloth into three sun shades and that dropped the salon temp around 10 deg F.

 

[SLE]

Thank you all for your comments, good honest discussion here, based on facts from real owners.

Horsing?
Horsing or sailing on anchor is a sailboat that swing from left to right while anchored. My IP used to it a little, but when wind got above 15k it did it more, exposing its side to the wind and pulling harder on the chain. I have read some comments about Hunter's being susceptible in that matter, is it something your are living on your 40.5?

SLE

 

[Franklin]

Not exactly. Sailing on anchor is not just swinging side to side but also moving forward. In some boats, it is the shape of the mast causing a foil at certain wind directions to generate lift.

 

[SLE]

Franklin,

What about your 376? Is it something you are experiencing?

 

[Franklin]

No. I swing side to side just like every other boat, but I do not sail forward. An example of a boat sailing forward and back is the HR 53'. One of those was moored right next to me and I noticed at times he got close to me so I started watching him closely and then tried to figure out why. It was his mast. I've seen others too but they weren't that close to me so I don't remember them.

 

[Franklin]

Opps...let me correct an error...cats if tied up property do not swing but all monohulls do.

 

[Rich Stidger]

No fore and aft movement but side to side- most definitely! Probably about a total swing of 120 degrees.

 

[DayDreamer41]

I have read that there is a method to minimize this sailing at anchor there are a couple of different products out there which claim to control the swing, as I haven't spent much time on the hook I can't verify how well they work, I have one of the products just haven't tried it. Its a three side sail which is hoisted up the topping lift, the PO claimed it works very well.

 

[Rich Stidger]

A buddy has a wedge-shaped riding sail for his 45' Hunter and the swing was reduced to about 70 degrees total from about 120.
https://www.bannerbaymarine.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=47
This might be available on SBO store- check first. If you are handy and have a HD sewing machine, I think you could make one of these for much less than 1/2 price.