Dear fellow Sailors, My wife and I took a sailing lesson on a Hunter 36’ – 2006. We absolutely loved it! So much so, we are seriously considering purchasing a boat. Last week, we found a good deal on a demo for a 2006 36’ including options we were happy with. This week I found another possible good deal a Hunter 1999 38’ in good condition with some appealing options. We think we can get it for about $75k. Needless to say, it needs to be surveyed, but it feels right. The question to you is simple enough and I am sure will be debated a great deal. From both an investment point of view and enjoyment, do you think that by maybe spending more for an earlier model would make sense? Are we asking for trouble and too much chew on for our first boat on a older boat? We thank you in advance for your valued opinion and look forward to your comments. Chris and Debbie
Purchase new or older
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Our first boat was a 1989 H28 that we purchased ..
in 1999. We sailed her for three years and enjoyed the experience so much we decided to step up to our current boat a 1991 P42. We've sailed her several thousand miles over the past four years and have no regrets. Terry
in 1999. We sailed her for three years and enjoyed the experience so much we decided to step up to our current boat a 1991 P42. We've sailed her several thousand miles over the past four years and have no regrets. Terry
don't think of it as asn investment
it will never return / appreciate like real estate. that said a 1999 boat is by no means " over the hill. Mine is a 1980 model and we are planning to enjoy her tommarrow as we have for the past 5 years. Purchased in 2000. Starting at 36 ft is ambitious. Good luck. Pray for wind, Lugeman
it will never return / appreciate like real estate. that said a 1999 boat is by no means " over the hill. Mine is a 1980 model and we are planning to enjoy her tommarrow as we have for the past 5 years. Purchased in 2000. Starting at 36 ft is ambitious. Good luck. Pray for wind, Lugeman
Don't Overthink This
You sailed the H36 and feel in love with it and on top of it all, found a deal on a demo model. Buy it!
You sailed the H36 and feel in love with it and on top of it all, found a deal on a demo model. Buy it!
Buy it 36, 38 sail the same....great buy at that
price. Best buy 2-5 year old boat. New get a big depreciation hit the first few years. abe
price. Best buy 2-5 year old boat. New get a big depreciation hit the first few years. abe
buy the 36-you loved it!
Go for the 36, it's a great boat and the 356/36 boats have been in great demand and have held their value really well. The 1999 38' is a good boat but it's not one of the newer Glenn Henderson designs, and the newer boats have a lot of desireable features and quality enhancements. Chuck Wayne H356 WWW.Escape
Go for the 36, it's a great boat and the 356/36 boats have been in great demand and have held their value really well. The 1999 38' is a good boat but it's not one of the newer Glenn Henderson designs, and the newer boats have a lot of desireable features and quality enhancements. Chuck Wayne H356 WWW.Escape
older verse newer
A lot depends on where you live/ sail. I see newer boats doing bottom jobs with multible blisters every year. Our 1979 hunter 30 wasnt hauled for 3 yrs when we bought her. The haul out revealed a very clean bottom with NO blisters. Older boats seem to have more hand laid hulls verse production boats that are sprayed in a mold. Finding aboat that you love is 90 % of the battle. With older boats, you may be faced with higher maint over newer boats with warranty. you might want to shop around at www.yachworld.com just my 2 cents. Captain Charles Creel 200 ton masters S/V UNWINDER www.gulftel.com/charlesc
A lot depends on where you live/ sail. I see newer boats doing bottom jobs with multible blisters every year. Our 1979 hunter 30 wasnt hauled for 3 yrs when we bought her. The haul out revealed a very clean bottom with NO blisters. Older boats seem to have more hand laid hulls verse production boats that are sprayed in a mold. Finding aboat that you love is 90 % of the battle. With older boats, you may be faced with higher maint over newer boats with warranty. you might want to shop around at www.yachworld.com just my 2 cents. Captain Charles Creel 200 ton masters S/V UNWINDER www.gulftel.com/charlesc
old/new
While one would expect much debate on this subject, there doesn't seem to be any, in that it really makes no difference - but is personal preference. We've all heard many horror stories with both new boat and used boat purchases. IMHO, the questions are: how do the finances stack up, and are you comfortable doing your own maintenance? With a properly surveyed used boat, you will save many $,$$$. Problems that arise from a survey can be negotiated with the owner before you buy as to who pays for the repair(s), or how those costs can be split. One advantage of a properly maintained used boat is that it has been "proven." New boats can have many "bugs" and result in alot of hassles with the manufacturer. Known problems with a used boat, which you can repair yourself, will result in learning your boat early on, acquiring necessary tools, and gaining confidence in your ability to make necessary repairs at the most inopportune times. You are off to good start. Check the boat reviews on this site, they can be invaluable. Remember, the word boat is not a noun, but an acronym - "BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND." Good luck
While one would expect much debate on this subject, there doesn't seem to be any, in that it really makes no difference - but is personal preference. We've all heard many horror stories with both new boat and used boat purchases. IMHO, the questions are: how do the finances stack up, and are you comfortable doing your own maintenance? With a properly surveyed used boat, you will save many $,$$$. Problems that arise from a survey can be negotiated with the owner before you buy as to who pays for the repair(s), or how those costs can be split. One advantage of a properly maintained used boat is that it has been "proven." New boats can have many "bugs" and result in alot of hassles with the manufacturer. Known problems with a used boat, which you can repair yourself, will result in learning your boat early on, acquiring necessary tools, and gaining confidence in your ability to make necessary repairs at the most inopportune times. You are off to good start. Check the boat reviews on this site, they can be invaluable. Remember, the word boat is not a noun, but an acronym - "BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND." Good luck
You will NEVER miss the two feet...
We LOVE our 05 H36! We also toyed with buying the 38. We bought brand new, so the extra money didn't warrant only 2 feet. If you like the 36, go with what you are comfortable with. Finally, a boat is a luxury item - no investment. It just keep depreciating... Enjoy and use it. We are only on our 2nd full sailing season and just past the 2000 nautical mile mark! Have fun!
We LOVE our 05 H36! We also toyed with buying the 38. We bought brand new, so the extra money didn't warrant only 2 feet. If you like the 36, go with what you are comfortable with. Finally, a boat is a luxury item - no investment. It just keep depreciating... Enjoy and use it. We are only on our 2nd full sailing season and just past the 2000 nautical mile mark! Have fun!
36 --- Go for it
Go for the new 36. I have a 356, love it, and I am impressed with Hunter warranty service. Doubt you will get a warranty on the used boat
Go for the new 36. I have a 356, love it, and I am impressed with Hunter warranty service. Doubt you will get a warranty on the used boat
Used VS NEW
I bought my 1st boat used and my 2nd boat new. Either way, I added a lot of equipment to each boat to set them up for the way I wanted to use them. I learned how to maintain both of them by doing it myself with help from friends and a few technical manuals. I do think you can get a lot more boat better equipped for the money buying used and 4-6 years old. However, don't buy a well fitted out cruiser expecting to turn it into a racer nor a tricked out racer to try to turn it into a cruiser. If this is your 1st boat, you may need help from more experienced friends to evaluate used boats, and should definately get a survey on any used boat that you serriously are considering.
I bought my 1st boat used and my 2nd boat new. Either way, I added a lot of equipment to each boat to set them up for the way I wanted to use them. I learned how to maintain both of them by doing it myself with help from friends and a few technical manuals. I do think you can get a lot more boat better equipped for the money buying used and 4-6 years old. However, don't buy a well fitted out cruiser expecting to turn it into a racer nor a tricked out racer to try to turn it into a cruiser. If this is your 1st boat, you may need help from more experienced friends to evaluate used boats, and should definately get a survey on any used boat that you serriously are considering.
Tell me more
Just back from the newport boat show and looking to buy bigger thats why we went looking to buy the 33 we now have the 2001 290,but my wife said no you need to get the 36. Next she really liked the 350 catalina and than went nuts over the 37.5 beneteau,but I told her that I like the hunter 36 and will be getting quots on the 36 so anyone out there with a 36 jump in and tell me more about this boat. We will be going to florida full time at the end of 2007 and so transporting it west coast florida,john burns what was it like sending your 356 to florida,I am related to brian and shron ct. I would really like info on the new 36 I have my wife in agreement.
Just back from the newport boat show and looking to buy bigger thats why we went looking to buy the 33 we now have the 2001 290,but my wife said no you need to get the 36. Next she really liked the 350 catalina and than went nuts over the 37.5 beneteau,but I told her that I like the hunter 36 and will be getting quots on the 36 so anyone out there with a 36 jump in and tell me more about this boat. We will be going to florida full time at the end of 2007 and so transporting it west coast florida,john burns what was it like sending your 356 to florida,I am related to brian and shron ct. I would really like info on the new 36 I have my wife in agreement.
Nick
Have you considered spending next spring/summer selling your 290, then picking up a 36 in FL? Generally good prices at the St Pete show in NOV, and save the expense of shipping.
Have you considered spending next spring/summer selling your 290, then picking up a 36 in FL? Generally good prices at the St Pete show in NOV, and save the expense of shipping.
Have 2003 356 - Love it!
Nick: We bought a new 2003 356 and spend about 80 days per year on it. We equipped it to the hilt with generator, and all the Hunter options plus satellite TV. Have the full Raymarine package - autopilot, sonar, radar, color chartplotter etc. I think the 36/356 is one of the best boats ever designed in the moderate price range. For the size, it has a lot of room and is very comfortable sailing and under power. Be sure you put a below decks autopilot on it. They say it won't fit, but with a little modification, it will. I have the Raymarine 6000.
Nick: We bought a new 2003 356 and spend about 80 days per year on it. We equipped it to the hilt with generator, and all the Hunter options plus satellite TV. Have the full Raymarine package - autopilot, sonar, radar, color chartplotter etc. I think the 36/356 is one of the best boats ever designed in the moderate price range. For the size, it has a lot of room and is very comfortable sailing and under power. Be sure you put a below decks autopilot on it. They say it won't fit, but with a little modification, it will. I have the Raymarine 6000.
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