We're basically weekend sailors that may go on 2-3 cruises a year. We're about to close a deal on a 85' Hunter 31. This boat has a known mast compression problem, which will be fixed as a part of the deal - not a big deal. And yes, we will get a survey. My question revolves around your satisfaction with being a Hunter owner, because a number of folks at our club recently said they would never own a Hunter for various reasons. But that's just the opinion of a few and we're still buying it. Here are my questions: 1)Would you consider the cost of Hunter ownership (high, medium, low)? Are there few problems or a lot? 2) On a scale of 1-10, how safe would you rate your boat? Would you call it a sturdy boat? 3) Overall, how satisfied are your with owning a Hunter? (Very happy, happy, somewhat unhappy, not very happy?)
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We've had an '87 Hunter 31 for 2 years and are quite satisfied with it; just right for my wife and I for mostly day sailing and an occasional overnighter on the lower Chesapeake. Most of the 31 footers that I've seen are good values for the money and the owners (about a half dozen in the Hampton Roads area) I've spoken with seem satisfied. Go for it!
New and very happy
My wife and I are the new owners of a 1984 Hunter 31, As of Sept 02. We just Christened it today. We are very happy with it. I have replaced every hose, fuel line and the mixing elbow plus the riser. But this is just stuff that a 19 year old boat needed. Looking forward to fair winds this year.
My wife and I are the new owners of a 1984 Hunter 31, As of Sept 02. We just Christened it today. We are very happy with it. I have replaced every hose, fuel line and the mixing elbow plus the riser. But this is just stuff that a 19 year old boat needed. Looking forward to fair winds this year.
They are fine boats.
Darline: The boats are wonderful values. The cost of owning our Hunter since is was new has entailed the compression post ($3000) and that has been the only thing we had to do this boat other than the normal maintenance items (pressurized water pump, batteries, bilge pumps, water heater etc.). Our Hunter lives in "warm fresh water" year round and has never had blisters. We have several Hunters in our marina, and do not know of anyone having any major problems with their boats either. Many of these nay sayers are giving you information about ONE boat that they heard about (second hand information). Talk to people that know about boats and they can give you horror stories about all of the the major mfg. Hunter did not get to be one of the largest mfg. of boats by building crap. Hunter just happens to be a little more innovative than some of the other mfg.
Darline: The boats are wonderful values. The cost of owning our Hunter since is was new has entailed the compression post ($3000) and that has been the only thing we had to do this boat other than the normal maintenance items (pressurized water pump, batteries, bilge pumps, water heater etc.). Our Hunter lives in "warm fresh water" year round and has never had blisters. We have several Hunters in our marina, and do not know of anyone having any major problems with their boats either. Many of these nay sayers are giving you information about ONE boat that they heard about (second hand information). Talk to people that know about boats and they can give you horror stories about all of the the major mfg. Hunter did not get to be one of the largest mfg. of boats by building crap. Hunter just happens to be a little more innovative than some of the other mfg.
Thanks for your input.
Dave, John, and Steve, Despite the seemingly negative comments from some of our club members (folks who buy fixer-uppers for as little as $1 - no joke), we are continuing with the negotiations for purchasing the H31'. Actually, when it's all said-and-done, I believe we'll have the best boat in the club! So, thanks for your input. We can't wait to become a Hunter owners. Happy Sailing !! Darline Spring
Dave, John, and Steve, Despite the seemingly negative comments from some of our club members (folks who buy fixer-uppers for as little as $1 - no joke), we are continuing with the negotiations for purchasing the H31'. Actually, when it's all said-and-done, I believe we'll have the best boat in the club! So, thanks for your input. We can't wait to become a Hunter owners. Happy Sailing !! Darline Spring
Owner's comments
Go to the boat information link from the home page on this site and read the owner's reviews. They may be very helpful to you.
Go to the boat information link from the home page on this site and read the owner's reviews. They may be very helpful to you.
Ditto Paul Akers
The reviews are full-throated, detailed and specific for Hunter models. Having said that, my answers re 29.5: 1. Medium 2. Ten 3. Very happy
The reviews are full-throated, detailed and specific for Hunter models. Having said that, my answers re 29.5: 1. Medium 2. Ten 3. Very happy
Why not look at/read at an unbiased (?) opinion
Asking here is like asking a mother if she thinks her child is ugly or beautiful. Its a pretty sure thing everyone is going to say absolutely beautiful. Here is just one example of an independant reveiw (link is below) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/hunter28.htm and take a look at the attached Pic of a H376. I'm not saying all Hunters will be the same, some designs are better than others, but you really need a scorecard to follow what Hunter is putting out. Hunter changes designs on all their boats about as often as most people change their underwear. To Bill O'Donovan, not saying the Hunters are "terrible" boats at all and there might be a few that I would consider, but most are not my "cup of tea". But when you rate a Hunter a 10 out of 10 in any aspect is showing your obvious bias since you own one. Reply to Darline Spring's question must be kept in perspective.
Asking here is like asking a mother if she thinks her child is ugly or beautiful. Its a pretty sure thing everyone is going to say absolutely beautiful. Here is just one example of an independant reveiw (link is below) http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/hunter28.htm and take a look at the attached Pic of a H376. I'm not saying all Hunters will be the same, some designs are better than others, but you really need a scorecard to follow what Hunter is putting out. Hunter changes designs on all their boats about as often as most people change their underwear. To Bill O'Donovan, not saying the Hunters are "terrible" boats at all and there might be a few that I would consider, but most are not my "cup of tea". But when you rate a Hunter a 10 out of 10 in any aspect is showing your obvious bias since you own one. Reply to Darline Spring's question must be kept in perspective.
Attachments
I've come to the conclusion....
that all boats in various price ranges have their own problems. I'm on my second Hunter (having purchased a 29.5 in Sept 02) and I love it (including all of the little problems that came with it). I've sailed on a lot of different boats (Catalina's, Oday's, Pearson's, Beneteau's, Formosa's) and none were perfect. I will also say that I would NEVER purchase a boat brand new...the breaking in period can be a bear. I like to have all of the major kinks worked out before I buy (it's also nice to have the thing fitted out with all of the "extra's")...happy Hunting
that all boats in various price ranges have their own problems. I'm on my second Hunter (having purchased a 29.5 in Sept 02) and I love it (including all of the little problems that came with it). I've sailed on a lot of different boats (Catalina's, Oday's, Pearson's, Beneteau's, Formosa's) and none were perfect. I will also say that I would NEVER purchase a boat brand new...the breaking in period can be a bear. I like to have all of the major kinks worked out before I buy (it's also nice to have the thing fitted out with all of the "extra's")...happy Hunting
Bob P. this is not a good example.
Bob: This was a mfg. defect. Granted that it should have been caught before it left the plant but is not a typical indication of Hunter Quality. This was an instance of a shop worker that trimed the chain plate composite material too short before the deck was applied. When the chain plate was drilled there was no material for the chain plate to attach too. Hunter actually randomly tests their boats and lift them by the chain plates. I have read David P's reviews of sailboats and I would never consider him a good surveyor of a sailboat. I do not agree with all of his opinions on diesel engines either. He may know a lot about powerboats but they are a different animal.
Bob: This was a mfg. defect. Granted that it should have been caught before it left the plant but is not a typical indication of Hunter Quality. This was an instance of a shop worker that trimed the chain plate composite material too short before the deck was applied. When the chain plate was drilled there was no material for the chain plate to attach too. Hunter actually randomly tests their boats and lift them by the chain plates. I have read David P's reviews of sailboats and I would never consider him a good surveyor of a sailboat. I do not agree with all of his opinions on diesel engines either. He may know a lot about powerboats but they are a different animal.
Considering the source
Hi Darline - As stated below, I think it is a good idea to consider the source of any review for perspective. That being said, given that there are a LOT of happy Hunter owners out there (evidenced by the number still sailing and the folks on this site), I feel Hunter makes a quality boat at a good value. I also work at a Hunter dealer and see Hunters of all sizes and ages regularly. If you like the way it looks and feel it'll do what you want to do, why not? People typically sail their boats in a manner in which they were designed. I could sail my Catalina 36 to Hawaii... but will I? Probably not. But I had absolutely no problems sailing coastal for 2 months. You'll find hear negative comments from folks regarding boats that will never sail offshore. And if you did buy a boat designed for offshore sailing it would be a dog compared to the other fun boats at your club! Go for it and have a blast! Have fun, Trevor Trevor
Hi Darline - As stated below, I think it is a good idea to consider the source of any review for perspective. That being said, given that there are a LOT of happy Hunter owners out there (evidenced by the number still sailing and the folks on this site), I feel Hunter makes a quality boat at a good value. I also work at a Hunter dealer and see Hunters of all sizes and ages regularly. If you like the way it looks and feel it'll do what you want to do, why not? People typically sail their boats in a manner in which they were designed. I could sail my Catalina 36 to Hawaii... but will I? Probably not. But I had absolutely no problems sailing coastal for 2 months. You'll find hear negative comments from folks regarding boats that will never sail offshore. And if you did buy a boat designed for offshore sailing it would be a dog compared to the other fun boats at your club! Go for it and have a blast! Have fun, Trevor Trevor
Love my 290
1. Low, as it is a relatively new boat (2000) that had only 2 seasons on it when I got it. No problems. 2. 10 and sturdy, used in the right conditions. I wouldn't cross the Atlantic in it or go out in a hurricane. 3. Very happy, and I hope to move up to a 356 someday.
1. Low, as it is a relatively new boat (2000) that had only 2 seasons on it when I got it. No problems. 2. 10 and sturdy, used in the right conditions. I wouldn't cross the Atlantic in it or go out in a hurricane. 3. Very happy, and I hope to move up to a 356 someday.
4th Hunter and Loving It
I started with a 25.5, then 30T, 310 and now the 380. Obviously I can't say enough about my experiences with Hunter. Great boats for the money, with low cost of ownership (i.e. repairs) each year. You will certainly enjoy - good luck and have fun!
I started with a 25.5, then 30T, 310 and now the 380. Obviously I can't say enough about my experiences with Hunter. Great boats for the money, with low cost of ownership (i.e. repairs) each year. You will certainly enjoy - good luck and have fun!
Considering the source
Hi Darline - As stated below, I think it is a good idea to consider the source of any review for perspective. That being said, given that there are a LOT of happy Hunter owners out there (evidenced by the number still sailing and the folks on this site), I feel Hunter makes a quality boat at a good value. I also work at a Hunter dealer and see Hunters of all sizes and ages regularly. If you like the way it looks and feel it'll do what you want to do, why not? People typically sail their boats in a manner in which they were designed. I could sail my Catalina 36 to Hawaii... but will I? Probably not. But I had absolutely no problems sailing coastal for 2 months. You'll find hear negative comments from folks regarding boats that will never sail offshore. And if you did buy a boat designed for offshore sailing it would be a dog compared to the other fun boats at your club! Go for it and have a blast! Have fun, Trevor Trevor
Hi Darline - As stated below, I think it is a good idea to consider the source of any review for perspective. That being said, given that there are a LOT of happy Hunter owners out there (evidenced by the number still sailing and the folks on this site), I feel Hunter makes a quality boat at a good value. I also work at a Hunter dealer and see Hunters of all sizes and ages regularly. If you like the way it looks and feel it'll do what you want to do, why not? People typically sail their boats in a manner in which they were designed. I could sail my Catalina 36 to Hawaii... but will I? Probably not. But I had absolutely no problems sailing coastal for 2 months. You'll find hear negative comments from folks regarding boats that will never sail offshore. And if you did buy a boat designed for offshore sailing it would be a dog compared to the other fun boats at your club! Go for it and have a blast! Have fun, Trevor Trevor
Fords and Chevy's
When I purchased my first boat it was a Hunter 25. My S.O. asked if it were a car would it be a BMW? I told it would be a Pontiac. She seemed disappointed - I wasn't! The Hunter is a good boat for the money. Like a Catalina. And Catalina owners don't like Hunters, and vice versa - just like Ford and Chevy owners. We just attended the sailboat show in San Francisco and saw the new Hunters. My fiance loved 'em, I didn't. She's a high end interior designer, so its gotta' be "taste", right? I've sailed a Hunter 31 often with my brother (his boat) and really liked it. He liked to scrub the decks a lot, and the glass started showing through the gelcoat. But other than that, he really had no complaints. Shambie Hammett sails her H31 "Huntress" in the Chessy - check out her "Pyrate Girl" website and see if she could give you some pointers. Especially how the boat handles the Chessy. Enjoy your boat. Don't listen to boat snobs. There's always a boat better than yours, and worse than yours, so why fight it. Go sailing. Michael O'
When I purchased my first boat it was a Hunter 25. My S.O. asked if it were a car would it be a BMW? I told it would be a Pontiac. She seemed disappointed - I wasn't! The Hunter is a good boat for the money. Like a Catalina. And Catalina owners don't like Hunters, and vice versa - just like Ford and Chevy owners. We just attended the sailboat show in San Francisco and saw the new Hunters. My fiance loved 'em, I didn't. She's a high end interior designer, so its gotta' be "taste", right? I've sailed a Hunter 31 often with my brother (his boat) and really liked it. He liked to scrub the decks a lot, and the glass started showing through the gelcoat. But other than that, he really had no complaints. Shambie Hammett sails her H31 "Huntress" in the Chessy - check out her "Pyrate Girl" website and see if she could give you some pointers. Especially how the boat handles the Chessy. Enjoy your boat. Don't listen to boat snobs. There's always a boat better than yours, and worse than yours, so why fight it. Go sailing. Michael O'
We would like to own a Hunter
We (wife and I)own a Mac 26s now, but want to move to a Hunter 386 for retirement. We were at the Sail Show in Chicago in Feb, and really loved that boat. We've discussed, at length, about our live aboard/cruising retirement, we can actually picture ourselves doing it in that boat. IMHO, boats over 35' will all sail the same way (for the type of sailing you want to do). It's the interior comforts that attracted us to the Hunter. Got to be happy where you live. The same goes for smaller boats.
We (wife and I)own a Mac 26s now, but want to move to a Hunter 386 for retirement. We were at the Sail Show in Chicago in Feb, and really loved that boat. We've discussed, at length, about our live aboard/cruising retirement, we can actually picture ourselves doing it in that boat. IMHO, boats over 35' will all sail the same way (for the type of sailing you want to do). It's the interior comforts that attracted us to the Hunter. Got to be happy where you live. The same goes for smaller boats.
Value and Budget
Almost every review of Hunter sailboats talks about the "value". Dollar for dollar, Hunter has always provided a lot of boat for frugal owners. The target audience is coastal cruisers who demand the most bang out of their buck(s). We bought our H '31 back in 1985 new and still appreciate her "value". Over the years we've upgraded, added lots of toys and replaced lots of systems as they've aged. The value of the boat has stayed fairly constant because the price of new Hunters keeps going up and there isn't much wrong with the old models. Yes, Catalina makes a nice boat, too. We just found that our '31 Hunter was the perfect fit for one couple who liked to sail fast, in comfort, and within a budget. Of course, I'd like to own a Swan, Hinckley, Morris, Hylas, or Tartan. If we win the lottery, we'll pick one out. Till then we will continue to put a lot of fresh water miles under our keel without boat payments because we chose well.
Almost every review of Hunter sailboats talks about the "value". Dollar for dollar, Hunter has always provided a lot of boat for frugal owners. The target audience is coastal cruisers who demand the most bang out of their buck(s). We bought our H '31 back in 1985 new and still appreciate her "value". Over the years we've upgraded, added lots of toys and replaced lots of systems as they've aged. The value of the boat has stayed fairly constant because the price of new Hunters keeps going up and there isn't much wrong with the old models. Yes, Catalina makes a nice boat, too. We just found that our '31 Hunter was the perfect fit for one couple who liked to sail fast, in comfort, and within a budget. Of course, I'd like to own a Swan, Hinckley, Morris, Hylas, or Tartan. If we win the lottery, we'll pick one out. Till then we will continue to put a lot of fresh water miles under our keel without boat payments because we chose well.
Happy With Ours
We have owned our 34 for 5yrs. I have spent alot of time bringing ours back to very nice condition. Thats the way i am. Our boat sits between a 35 tartan(over 100k) and a 42 sun odessey(over 150k) and directly facing us is a 39 hallberg rassey(over 400k). I smile everytime i show up at our slip. after the initial refurbishing, i spend about 500/yr on stuff and dont spend all that much time on it for the past 3yrs. you can always find something to do if you choose. overall though, ours is at a place where there is not that much to do. i would expect you to be busy the first yr or two however.
We have owned our 34 for 5yrs. I have spent alot of time bringing ours back to very nice condition. Thats the way i am. Our boat sits between a 35 tartan(over 100k) and a 42 sun odessey(over 150k) and directly facing us is a 39 hallberg rassey(over 400k). I smile everytime i show up at our slip. after the initial refurbishing, i spend about 500/yr on stuff and dont spend all that much time on it for the past 3yrs. you can always find something to do if you choose. overall though, ours is at a place where there is not that much to do. i would expect you to be busy the first yr or two however.
You get what you pay for...
I owned an H34 from new in 1983 to 2001. It was certainly a lot of boat for the money, but then it wasn't much money! I had a love/hate affair with the boat all that time, my kids grew up on it and we had some very good times - but on the other hand I always felt it was very poorly constructed, and maintaining it was a full time job, which I resented. My kids developed a slogan and a sign that they posted inside the boat, which said "Learn to Love a Hunter." I am sure they got that from my attitude and sub-audible cussing. From day one the boat was plagued with problems; for example the galley had been installed on top of the hot water hose so there was no engine coolant circulation, the battery cables had not been crimped and fell apart on our first sail, there were no coupling bolts for the shaft, and things just went downhill from there. The boat always leaked rain water despite taking all of the ports out and rebedding them and spending many many days looking for the source. The lack of limber holes in the liner meant that there was always water under the cabin sole that showed up in the cabin when leaning under sail. Every time we went sailing I would take a sponge and bucket below and collect the day's seepage. The gel coat lifted from the glass all along the toe rails on both sides of the boat. I had to remove both toe rails and have the gel coat ground back to the non-skid and completely redone. The consensus was that the gel coat was applied way, way too thickly and had cracked all along, allowing water to get underneath and freeze in the winter, lifting it off in great patches. That cost me many $1000 to have repaired. On the day of the sale, the surveyor found that the rudder was basically delaminated from the interior foam on both sides and could have fallen off at any minute. It was full of water. Scary... and another $1500. Fortunately we did not have the mast compression post problem. We all know that boats need constant work - and I enjoy that - but in the H34's situation too much of the work was related to design and construction problems. Why did I keep it for so long? - purely budgetary considerations. Should you buy one? Sure, as long as you realize that you may have ongoing maintenance issues. I gotta say that the difference in construction quality between my old H34 and my current Pearson 422 is night and day. Couldn't be happier with the Pearson. Can't wait to get down to her this afternoon to spend the first weekend of the season on board. Derek
I owned an H34 from new in 1983 to 2001. It was certainly a lot of boat for the money, but then it wasn't much money! I had a love/hate affair with the boat all that time, my kids grew up on it and we had some very good times - but on the other hand I always felt it was very poorly constructed, and maintaining it was a full time job, which I resented. My kids developed a slogan and a sign that they posted inside the boat, which said "Learn to Love a Hunter." I am sure they got that from my attitude and sub-audible cussing. From day one the boat was plagued with problems; for example the galley had been installed on top of the hot water hose so there was no engine coolant circulation, the battery cables had not been crimped and fell apart on our first sail, there were no coupling bolts for the shaft, and things just went downhill from there. The boat always leaked rain water despite taking all of the ports out and rebedding them and spending many many days looking for the source. The lack of limber holes in the liner meant that there was always water under the cabin sole that showed up in the cabin when leaning under sail. Every time we went sailing I would take a sponge and bucket below and collect the day's seepage. The gel coat lifted from the glass all along the toe rails on both sides of the boat. I had to remove both toe rails and have the gel coat ground back to the non-skid and completely redone. The consensus was that the gel coat was applied way, way too thickly and had cracked all along, allowing water to get underneath and freeze in the winter, lifting it off in great patches. That cost me many $1000 to have repaired. On the day of the sale, the surveyor found that the rudder was basically delaminated from the interior foam on both sides and could have fallen off at any minute. It was full of water. Scary... and another $1500. Fortunately we did not have the mast compression post problem. We all know that boats need constant work - and I enjoy that - but in the H34's situation too much of the work was related to design and construction problems. Why did I keep it for so long? - purely budgetary considerations. Should you buy one? Sure, as long as you realize that you may have ongoing maintenance issues. I gotta say that the difference in construction quality between my old H34 and my current Pearson 422 is night and day. Couldn't be happier with the Pearson. Can't wait to get down to her this afternoon to spend the first weekend of the season on board. Derek
Is Hunter made in Southern California?
Boy, what a story! Why do I have a gut feeling that your Hunter was probably assembled by cheap unskilled labor who only spoke Mexican Spanish! Italian airplanes had the same problem. The Falco single engine airplane sold in this country, for example...cheap unskilled (and very stupid) labor assembled the airplanes. There was a batch of planes with weakened wing spars because the workers drilled holes through the spar to run wires, etc. Guess they never thought that the wing could break off if there were too many unauthorized holes in the wing spar! Same situation, different product.
Boy, what a story! Why do I have a gut feeling that your Hunter was probably assembled by cheap unskilled labor who only spoke Mexican Spanish! Italian airplanes had the same problem. The Falco single engine airplane sold in this country, for example...cheap unskilled (and very stupid) labor assembled the airplanes. There was a batch of planes with weakened wing spars because the workers drilled holes through the spar to run wires, etc. Guess they never thought that the wing could break off if there were too many unauthorized holes in the wing spar! Same situation, different product.
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