Problems...

[BruceK]

Battlling the dealer and, to some degree, Hunter...boat is an '08 built late '07..commissioned May '09 ...anyone share these?
1. Flyscreens do not fit the hatches, and the retaining clips do not clear the hatch liner which extends deeper into the well, and if the clipswere able to rotate under the screen they are not long enough to catch the screen, should the screen fit...etc. etc
2. Icebox...after melting my ice cube in record time, I removed the box and discovered no only the drain fitting not assembled, but hose still taped up in a ball..and the insulation about 50% in place in the liner
3. Raw water strainer just will not seal...dribbles
4. Speakers on the arch are about as good as grampas first radio for sound quality
Any soul mates out there?? I've got another list for next time...

 

[Phil Herring]

The Lewmar port screens are notoriously bad. Beliwve it or not, they're better now then they were a couple years ago.

The rest of it sounds like a punch list for any new boat, IMHO, with the exception of the speakers.

 

[BruceK]

Should be, Phil, but many previous "problems" we solved via this site without the long or never response from the dealer/Hunter...so, solutions? Hunter "may" send me a new icebox without any date or promise as long as my photos are acceptable...same as the flyscreens...in the meantime we have not been able to do much overnight cruising in ME (mosquitos have a 2' wingspan)...summer is over in 6 weeks...

 

[Scott B]

Ours is an '05

1. are you refering to the overhead hatches? screens are a pain to install, but can be done. not sure the solution without actual pics etc.
2. our icebox in the undercounter fridge will keep meat frozen, haven't tried ice cubes. that's what the cooler is for... keep the beer cold and ice cubes for the drinkls later.
3. raw water strainer.... cracked casing ? bad rubber seal ? cracked threads on the strainer ?
4. speakers in the cockpit are mounted with no acoustic box and are pointed into open air. don't think you'll get studio sound in those conditions and / or any sort of solution.

 

[som1335]

My Hunter is an 08 commissioned 09 and I have a huge list of faults. Dealer has been great., Hunter, useless. Great boat, lousy accessories. Rusting SS, screws falling out, the list goes on and on. I was told by sailing friends that a new boat would have a lot of squauks and they were right. No complaints about the performance of the boat but quality of assembly leaves a lot to be desired. I thought an employee owned company would have more pride in their work. I'd buy another Hunter, but at least I would have an idea of the number of small things i would have to fix and no way would spend the $ on a 5 yr extended warranty. The warranty is worthless. If it is something the dealer can handle OK, but other than that how do you get a non trailer-able boat that is broken down to an authorized repair facility? Engine problems at 40 hours were all my expense. Nice huh?

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Got some of the same issues with my 36. My raw water strainer also leaked, come to find out they left out a gasket. Screens don't cover the whole port - still haven't figured out exactly how they're supposed to work. Screws falling out, cabinet hardware breaking, vanity mirror pops open in rough seas etc. A lot of things the dealer fixed but there are still issues that kind of p## me off. Still like the boat and would buy another but I would go over everything with a fine tooth comb before accepting delivery.

 

[Rich Stidger]

som1335-

Sorry to hear your are having issues with your new boat.

Maybe Hunter has changed, but our experience with our new 1997 is 180 degrees out from your experiences. Both Hunter and our dealer went 110% for us and fixed any issues we had.

Our dealer told us at the outset: "I have never delivered a perfect boat, but I will make it right." Without question, he did.

 

[sonny21566]

Built quality or problem

Gentleman,

Sometimes back I have written about Hunter built quality on my Hunter 33 and someone on the panel doubted my integrity. I have said before, and say it now, please peep into ever corner of the boat and you will find out yourself about the built quality, you will be shock! I have spent almost a year to recified almost all the problems. The good thing about Hunter boat it is well design and user friendly. I hope Hunter will react on the feedback from all the owners.

 

[Steve Dion]

I doubt that your dealer is doing any of these repairs without payment from Hunter.

 

[Nereussailor]

I don't understand why the factory puts all that stuff on the dealers.You would think that they would want the control over their product.
But I can understand why it is that way, They're built in Florida! you should see all the idiots down here. It doesn't surprise me one bit. I was watching a video from a powerboat company, that my daughter was in, and the seat cushions were horrible. the edges had wrinkles in them and no one was sitting on them, and the boat was still in the water. This was on their company video. It's like the car companies, they try to cut costs so far that they sacrifice quality. I call it the $8.50 syndrome. " We can pay this guy $8.50 an hour , and we'll make thousands more a year". "Great Idea Harold, let's do it. I'd really like that new BMW".
Sorry about the rant

Dave

 

[BruceK]

Thanks for sharing....obviously the 2000 odd predelivery checklist is a joke...really too bad because the current 33 does sail nicely, all the running and standing rigging is appropriate and it is pretty sea kindly. The Admiral is a little skittish at the tendency to heal a little earlier than other models, however. (deep keel)

I have another issue to share...seems there is an unusually loud and annoying creaking and cracking sound when the boat rocks...hard to sleep in the stern...seems to be the flexible hull fighting the imoveable bulkhead structure around the engine/hatchway...dealer suggested it might be rudderpost related, but not from that area. There is a really ceaky floorboard at the way into the stern compartment that may need to be removed and trimmed....ideas/comments?

 

[roan]

I had numerous issues when my boat was new and I must say, my dealer, Boats r Fun, solved them all. I have vertical opening fridge and seperate top loading freezer. Never a problem with either. I sleep on the boat close to 25 nights per season and have never had creaks from the boat except maybe a fender rubbing in high winds. I sleep in the aft cabin. The mattresses are useless though and I have added memory foam to get the comfort. I moved closer to shore on the dock as the waves at night used to beat up against the stern hull and keep me awake.

Bruce, I am surprised to hear that the boat is overly tender with the deep keel. Mine is a shoal draft and I have been longing for a deep keel to point better. I think thus it is in the boat design, the mast is very high with the furling option and a bit top heavy. I assume you have tried releasing the traveller to ease the leaning?

ROAN