I currently have a Catalina 30 and saw the Hunter 356 at a boat show. It looked like a great boat for our family, however, some people say that there are too many problems with Hunter. I would like to hear from some of you that actually own a 356 and have spent the summer sailing the boat. Do you like it, is the quality ok? Is it worth the $140,000? Any comments would be appreciated.
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356
Bill, Have had our 356 since april, spend most weekends on it and love it, I have had both hunters and catalina and both are similar in quality. Sailing the 356 is alot different than the 30 you wont believe the difference, try and find someone in your area and try it out ,do not think you will be disappointed. John S/v Alcyone
Bill, Have had our 356 since april, spend most weekends on it and love it, I have had both hunters and catalina and both are similar in quality. Sailing the 356 is alot different than the 30 you wont believe the difference, try and find someone in your area and try it out ,do not think you will be disappointed. John S/v Alcyone
356
Bill, go for it! we've had our 356 since this spring, and she's everything we hoped for! the other 2 356 owners in my immediate area are equally thrilled. she's a great family boat, fast, roomy, stable, and very forgiving. We have quite a bit of fun passing competitors boats under sail, and almost every day she gets compliments from other sailors, including blue water sailors in my marina. you may hear comments about Hunters, but their build is great, the new interiors and fittings are high quality, and they stand behind their boats. I've talked to a number of other brand owners over the years, and I believe there's a lot of misinformation/heresay floating around, and more than some jealousy. Before moving up to the 356 I spent a lot of time taking apart the competition, including Catalina, Beneteau, and Jenneau, and the 356 wins hands down. If you read this site, you'll see frank and open discussion-we're a picky but loyal bunch of owners!
Bill, go for it! we've had our 356 since this spring, and she's everything we hoped for! the other 2 356 owners in my immediate area are equally thrilled. she's a great family boat, fast, roomy, stable, and very forgiving. We have quite a bit of fun passing competitors boats under sail, and almost every day she gets compliments from other sailors, including blue water sailors in my marina. you may hear comments about Hunters, but their build is great, the new interiors and fittings are high quality, and they stand behind their boats. I've talked to a number of other brand owners over the years, and I believe there's a lot of misinformation/heresay floating around, and more than some jealousy. Before moving up to the 356 I spent a lot of time taking apart the competition, including Catalina, Beneteau, and Jenneau, and the 356 wins hands down. If you read this site, you'll see frank and open discussion-we're a picky but loyal bunch of owners!
Great boat and so is Hunter
Chuck, I'm in the first stages of getting a H356, which I saw at the Annapolis show in 2001. That boat even impressed my wife, which surpised me. This will be the third Hunter boat we've owned and have been impressed with their support of any problem whether it is theirs or a vendor supporting them. The dealers think of these boats they sell as their little babies and go out of their way to insure you are happy. (Yea Yea, I know there are always exceptions). Jim Some day a H356
Chuck, I'm in the first stages of getting a H356, which I saw at the Annapolis show in 2001. That boat even impressed my wife, which surpised me. This will be the third Hunter boat we've owned and have been impressed with their support of any problem whether it is theirs or a vendor supporting them. The dealers think of these boats they sell as their little babies and go out of their way to insure you are happy. (Yea Yea, I know there are always exceptions). Jim Some day a H356
Sail downwind much?
Don't get me wrong, I like my 336 OK. But if I had to do it over again, I would buy a boat with a backstay and conventionally positioned shrouds. Not being able to sail wing-and-wing, not being able to go dead downwind bugs me.
Don't get me wrong, I like my 336 OK. But if I had to do it over again, I would buy a boat with a backstay and conventionally positioned shrouds. Not being able to sail wing-and-wing, not being able to go dead downwind bugs me.
Don't agree that Hunters are bad downwind
My 376 can keep up with similar sized boats in my non-spinnaker racing section going downwind either wing on wing or on a broad reach. One big positive about the small Hunter headsail is that it is much easier to winch in after tacking than it is to bring in a 155% headsail. The negative is that my Hunter doesn't point as well as similar sized boats with furling headsails. I believe that is due in large part to the high cut of the clew.
My 376 can keep up with similar sized boats in my non-spinnaker racing section going downwind either wing on wing or on a broad reach. One big positive about the small Hunter headsail is that it is much easier to winch in after tacking than it is to bring in a 155% headsail. The negative is that my Hunter doesn't point as well as similar sized boats with furling headsails. I believe that is due in large part to the high cut of the clew.
Better wear a helmet
If you're sailing dead downwind on a boat with a B&R rig, you're sailing by the lee. That means that you continuously run the risk of an accidental jibe, beaning yourself or one of your crew/guests. Maybe that's fine on a race course, where you are constantly tending the helm. I do it myself occasionally, with a preventer rigged, and I never use the autopilot when sailing by the lee. But if you're used to sailing wing-and-wing safely and with the sails properly set, it is a consideration. You can't do either with a B&R rig.
If you're sailing dead downwind on a boat with a B&R rig, you're sailing by the lee. That means that you continuously run the risk of an accidental jibe, beaning yourself or one of your crew/guests. Maybe that's fine on a race course, where you are constantly tending the helm. I do it myself occasionally, with a preventer rigged, and I never use the autopilot when sailing by the lee. But if you're used to sailing wing-and-wing safely and with the sails properly set, it is a consideration. You can't do either with a B&R rig.
wing-2-wing is not a problem
On our B&R rigged H260, we sail wing-2-wing using a whisker pole and a jury-rigged preventer without much of a problem. I do tend to cheat a couple of degrees to make sure that the main doesn't get backwinded (at the end of the run it probably only sets me off by about <100 feet over one nm).
On our B&R rigged H260, we sail wing-2-wing using a whisker pole and a jury-rigged preventer without much of a problem. I do tend to cheat a couple of degrees to make sure that the main doesn't get backwinded (at the end of the run it probably only sets me off by about <100 feet over one nm).
Yes
Yes, it's a good boat. I never thought I would own a Hunter, based on my assessment 20 years ago that the quality was poor. I'm more than satisfied with the quality now, and the 356 seems a whole step ahead of quality on the year-earlier 340s we looked at. Meanwhile, the 356 sails fast and sails easily. Accommodations are comfortable. It handles rough water well. It motors well. It can be shorthanded or singlehanded. We also had 11 for dinner the other day. Can you tell I'm impressed? And my price was nowhere near $140,000. There are a couple of drawbacks, such as essentially no workable access to the engine, all appearances to the contrary. And if you don't have a dodger, there is no good way to have any fresh air ventilaton while it's raining. The cabin needs to be locked up tight. The posts about cracks at the keel joint are a concern, but that apparently was an early problem that has been fixed. I disagree with those who rap the downwind performance. I've gone wing and wing often. And while jibing is never to be taken lightly, I have found the 356 easier to jibe than my old 27 footer. I'm not so enamored of dealer performance as some of the others who posted, but my minimal dealings with the factory have been good. There is no question in my mind that this boat was the best value for the money, including a better value than other Hunter models that do not have the new 356 design and interior. It's a good boat, and does what Hunter says it will.
Yes, it's a good boat. I never thought I would own a Hunter, based on my assessment 20 years ago that the quality was poor. I'm more than satisfied with the quality now, and the 356 seems a whole step ahead of quality on the year-earlier 340s we looked at. Meanwhile, the 356 sails fast and sails easily. Accommodations are comfortable. It handles rough water well. It motors well. It can be shorthanded or singlehanded. We also had 11 for dinner the other day. Can you tell I'm impressed? And my price was nowhere near $140,000. There are a couple of drawbacks, such as essentially no workable access to the engine, all appearances to the contrary. And if you don't have a dodger, there is no good way to have any fresh air ventilaton while it's raining. The cabin needs to be locked up tight. The posts about cracks at the keel joint are a concern, but that apparently was an early problem that has been fixed. I disagree with those who rap the downwind performance. I've gone wing and wing often. And while jibing is never to be taken lightly, I have found the 356 easier to jibe than my old 27 footer. I'm not so enamored of dealer performance as some of the others who posted, but my minimal dealings with the factory have been good. There is no question in my mind that this boat was the best value for the money, including a better value than other Hunter models that do not have the new 356 design and interior. It's a good boat, and does what Hunter says it will.
wing and wing'ing my 336
maybe my 336 (bulb wing keel) can't point as high as other boats but I have no problem going wing and wing; we do it often. As a matter of fact, had a terrific experience in Narragnasett Bay this past Summer. Going down wind, wing and wing and all ended up balanced perfectly in 10 to 12 k winds. Didn't touch a sheet for more than 15 minutes and only tweaked the wheel a bit. Then continued for another 10 - 15 minutes with just a little jib sheet handling until we were running out of water. Love my 336!
maybe my 336 (bulb wing keel) can't point as high as other boats but I have no problem going wing and wing; we do it often. As a matter of fact, had a terrific experience in Narragnasett Bay this past Summer. Going down wind, wing and wing and all ended up balanced perfectly in 10 to 12 k winds. Didn't touch a sheet for more than 15 minutes and only tweaked the wheel a bit. Then continued for another 10 - 15 minutes with just a little jib sheet handling until we were running out of water. Love my 336!
More on Hunter's Designs
I have a 326, which is quite a bit smaller than the 356, but the basics in design are similar. My opinion is that a gennaker is a very good option for B & R boats, they enable direct downwind sailing. But in any case, the arch prevents "beaning" if an accidental gybe occurs. I really like the arch for that reason and also to keep mainsheet and traveler out of the cockpit. Plus, the bimini on such a boat is superior to backstay-rigged boats. Hunters provide a lotta bang for the buck, and I think the new boats are much better than their earlier efforts.
I have a 326, which is quite a bit smaller than the 356, but the basics in design are similar. My opinion is that a gennaker is a very good option for B & R boats, they enable direct downwind sailing. But in any case, the arch prevents "beaning" if an accidental gybe occurs. I really like the arch for that reason and also to keep mainsheet and traveler out of the cockpit. Plus, the bimini on such a boat is superior to backstay-rigged boats. Hunters provide a lotta bang for the buck, and I think the new boats are much better than their earlier efforts.
Love the 356
Have had the 356 now since April and as of yesterday have slept/lived in it more since then than my home. The dealer (RCR in Buffalo, NY) has been great in support and fixing the minor flaws and it sails easily singlehanded (I said SAILING, not docking
......actually, it's not bad there either as it 'tracks' wonderfully). Had it out today in 19 knots of wind doing 7.42 knots with no waves. When the wind got to 23 knots I put a half reef in the main and was still doing 6.8 knots. I went to the Sandusky, Ohio boat show last weekend and saw the Catalina 350 for the first time. To me there is no contest (unless you insist on a traditional back-stayed, big genoa boat) between the two and I am the FIRST person to state if I see something better. The Cat 350 looked like it was thrown together down below in the living quarters. THe 356 utilizes space so much better and the human engineering on it is beyond compare. I love having my expectations exceeded and this boat did it.
Have had the 356 now since April and as of yesterday have slept/lived in it more since then than my home. The dealer (RCR in Buffalo, NY) has been great in support and fixing the minor flaws and it sails easily singlehanded (I said SAILING, not docking
......actually, it's not bad there either as it 'tracks' wonderfully). Had it out today in 19 knots of wind doing 7.42 knots with no waves. When the wind got to 23 knots I put a half reef in the main and was still doing 6.8 knots. I went to the Sandusky, Ohio boat show last weekend and saw the Catalina 350 for the first time. To me there is no contest (unless you insist on a traditional back-stayed, big genoa boat) between the two and I am the FIRST person to state if I see something better. The Cat 350 looked like it was thrown together down below in the living quarters. THe 356 utilizes space so much better and the human engineering on it is beyond compare. I love having my expectations exceeded and this boat did it.You'll Love It
After sailing our 1980 Catalina 30 for 17 years (bought it used), we fell in love with the 356 - and bought one in the spring. Things we particularly like that we did not have on our Catalina are the furling main, a nice shower, a good refrigerator and freezer, and the spacious feel of the whole boat. We didn't want to give up the huge cockpit of our Catalina 30 - and we realized that we wouldn't have to with the 356. The sternrail seats are fun to have, and there is storage space galore. The traveller is MUCH easier to use. Buying this non-traditional boat was a big change for us. And it was a good decision. If you need more information, We're listed in the owners index. Just send an email.
After sailing our 1980 Catalina 30 for 17 years (bought it used), we fell in love with the 356 - and bought one in the spring. Things we particularly like that we did not have on our Catalina are the furling main, a nice shower, a good refrigerator and freezer, and the spacious feel of the whole boat. We didn't want to give up the huge cockpit of our Catalina 30 - and we realized that we wouldn't have to with the 356. The sternrail seats are fun to have, and there is storage space galore. The traveller is MUCH easier to use. Buying this non-traditional boat was a big change for us. And it was a good decision. If you need more information, We're listed in the owners index. Just send an email.
Quality
Bill: Can't tell you what to buy but can tell you we had the same concerns you had about Hunter quality when we ordered our 356 last year. My husband tore the dealers demo boat apart looking for evidence of poor quality however and what he found were Harken tracks, Lewmar winches, Whitlock steering, Corian counter-tops, etc. Where they "cheaped" was mostly costmetic (unfinished wood on inside edge of trim in main salon, no stiffeners on some doors or floor boards making them susceptible to warping, etc.) which is pretty typical of most of the other production boats we looked at (Catalina, Beneteau, Jenneau, J). Is it a Sabre or a Tartan? Nah...Is it fast, stiff, stable, nicely appointed and comfortable? You betcha! We had some leaks (Hunter actually flew reps up from the Alachua factory to look at where they were and to fix the molds) and other minor issues that the dealer resolved that seem to be pretty typical of what you need to expect with a new boat, especially first year out. I actually visited the Alachua factory while our boat was on the line and was treated to a personal tour. The company is employee owned so the people on the line really appreciated that of all the choices out there we had bought their boat and took great pride in showing my Dad and I around. Your best bet is to get a sail in with your dealer - I thought we were buying the boat after the 2001 Newport show; I knew we had bought it when we did a demo sail a few weeks later and the grin wouldn't leave my husband's face! Good luck deciding.
Bill: Can't tell you what to buy but can tell you we had the same concerns you had about Hunter quality when we ordered our 356 last year. My husband tore the dealers demo boat apart looking for evidence of poor quality however and what he found were Harken tracks, Lewmar winches, Whitlock steering, Corian counter-tops, etc. Where they "cheaped" was mostly costmetic (unfinished wood on inside edge of trim in main salon, no stiffeners on some doors or floor boards making them susceptible to warping, etc.) which is pretty typical of most of the other production boats we looked at (Catalina, Beneteau, Jenneau, J). Is it a Sabre or a Tartan? Nah...Is it fast, stiff, stable, nicely appointed and comfortable? You betcha! We had some leaks (Hunter actually flew reps up from the Alachua factory to look at where they were and to fix the molds) and other minor issues that the dealer resolved that seem to be pretty typical of what you need to expect with a new boat, especially first year out. I actually visited the Alachua factory while our boat was on the line and was treated to a personal tour. The company is employee owned so the people on the line really appreciated that of all the choices out there we had bought their boat and took great pride in showing my Dad and I around. Your best bet is to get a sail in with your dealer - I thought we were buying the boat after the 2001 Newport show; I knew we had bought it when we did a demo sail a few weeks later and the grin wouldn't leave my husband's face! Good luck deciding.
buy it1 (more thoughts)
a few more thoughts, Bill- this is my second hunter after many many years on other boats, and I don't regret it for a minute! the 356 does sail very well upwind, contrary to what some people say-she needs to be sailed pretty flat, unlike a lot of keelboats-last weekend I went head to head with a tartan 40 in 10-12tks and passed him to leeward, to his chagrin, masthead genny and all! yes, the B&Rs don't go dead downwind well, but you are usually faster on a deep broad reach anyway. I added a Doyle APC (gennaker) to go faster downwind, and she's plenty fast. we've had her out in 35KTs, and she's stable and controllable(reefed down) and tonight was still fun to sail in light air-a great all around boat.
a few more thoughts, Bill- this is my second hunter after many many years on other boats, and I don't regret it for a minute! the 356 does sail very well upwind, contrary to what some people say-she needs to be sailed pretty flat, unlike a lot of keelboats-last weekend I went head to head with a tartan 40 in 10-12tks and passed him to leeward, to his chagrin, masthead genny and all! yes, the B&Rs don't go dead downwind well, but you are usually faster on a deep broad reach anyway. I added a Doyle APC (gennaker) to go faster downwind, and she's plenty fast. we've had her out in 35KTs, and she's stable and controllable(reefed down) and tonight was still fun to sail in light air-a great all around boat.
Still undecided
A very interesting discussion. For the past six weekends we have looked at, inspected, sailed and thought about and looked at etc. the Beneteau 361, Jeanneau 37 and the Hunter 356. At times they all seem to blend together. My wife is in love with the interior and ease of sailing the Hunter. I can't get past 20 years of "Friends don't let friends sail Hunters." I am concerned about the hull deck joint and have heard second-hand stories of the joint being crushed when banged up against pylings, wharfs etc. The wood work is a little rough, especially the way the floor boards fit. On the up side the in-mast furling is the best in its price range and in a 10 kt test sail she tracked straight without a hand on the wheel. If I never intended to leave the Bay, I might not worry. I'm still not sure I want to be 500 miles off shore in a Hunter. Any blue water sailors with an opinion?
A very interesting discussion. For the past six weekends we have looked at, inspected, sailed and thought about and looked at etc. the Beneteau 361, Jeanneau 37 and the Hunter 356. At times they all seem to blend together. My wife is in love with the interior and ease of sailing the Hunter. I can't get past 20 years of "Friends don't let friends sail Hunters." I am concerned about the hull deck joint and have heard second-hand stories of the joint being crushed when banged up against pylings, wharfs etc. The wood work is a little rough, especially the way the floor boards fit. On the up side the in-mast furling is the best in its price range and in a 10 kt test sail she tracked straight without a hand on the wheel. If I never intended to leave the Bay, I might not worry. I'm still not sure I want to be 500 miles off shore in a Hunter. Any blue water sailors with an opinion?
All Been Said, but.....
....we will add our experience to the others. We too struggled for several years with all of the "traditional wisdom" regarding Hunter boats before buying our H340. But everytime that we went to a boat show, we came away really liking the Hunter's. We talked to other sailors. We read several books, including one on what to look for when surveying a boat. Finally we narrowed our choices down to two; the H340 and another producer's similar boat. Armed with a 5-page checklist of things that we wanted to look at and compare, similar to an earlier post here, we went to a dealer that had both boats and spent about 4 hours in each boat literally pulling them apart. Then we test-sailed both. Then we bought the H340, and everything since has confirmed that is was the right decision for us. As has been said here many times before, a great deal, Bill and William, depends on how you intend to use the boat. We are, and intend to be, coastal cruisers. We intend to eventually cover a LOT of coast, but we do not intend to go "500 miles offshore". For our purposes, the H340/356 are just great boats. However, if you really do intend to go "500 miles offshore" (really, really?) then you need to be focused on things very different than "interior and ease of handling". There are people who have taken Hunter's (or other production sailboats; the issues are similar) very far offshore, but much more has been said about that. Search the archives for 'Henk Meuzelaar'. There is also a reference document somewhere on this website titled "Offshore Hunters". Good luck! Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
....we will add our experience to the others. We too struggled for several years with all of the "traditional wisdom" regarding Hunter boats before buying our H340. But everytime that we went to a boat show, we came away really liking the Hunter's. We talked to other sailors. We read several books, including one on what to look for when surveying a boat. Finally we narrowed our choices down to two; the H340 and another producer's similar boat. Armed with a 5-page checklist of things that we wanted to look at and compare, similar to an earlier post here, we went to a dealer that had both boats and spent about 4 hours in each boat literally pulling them apart. Then we test-sailed both. Then we bought the H340, and everything since has confirmed that is was the right decision for us. As has been said here many times before, a great deal, Bill and William, depends on how you intend to use the boat. We are, and intend to be, coastal cruisers. We intend to eventually cover a LOT of coast, but we do not intend to go "500 miles offshore". For our purposes, the H340/356 are just great boats. However, if you really do intend to go "500 miles offshore" (really, really?) then you need to be focused on things very different than "interior and ease of handling". There are people who have taken Hunter's (or other production sailboats; the issues are similar) very far offshore, but much more has been said about that. Search the archives for 'Henk Meuzelaar'. There is also a reference document somewhere on this website titled "Offshore Hunters". Good luck! Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
Offshore
Carl & Juliana Thanks, I appreciate your insights. I was probably being a little too cute about my wife’s appreciation of Hunter’s amenities. She is relatively new to sailing. I, unfortunately, have more sailing behind me than in front of me. Ninety percent of my sailing has been on the Bay, but the other ten percent has been off shore with just over 10,000 miles under various keels. I love the trip the Bermuda and we intend to repeat the great times I had island hopping down to South America and possibly enjoying the pleasures of Maine. With another $100,000 the choice would be simpler, but less likely to happen. Everything I’ve read about the 356 says this is a great leap forward for Hunter. But then Hunter needed to make a great leap. I want know if anyone has sailed the 356 offshore and what modification they made. That outward turned deck joint bothers me. I’ve never been in a Force 10 in the North Sea, although with a wife from the North of England, I’ve seen just how nasty that stretch of water can be. I have been in 50 kts off Diamond Shoals and can assure you this is not the time you want to start thinking about the integrity of your boat. Thanks again.
Carl & Juliana Thanks, I appreciate your insights. I was probably being a little too cute about my wife’s appreciation of Hunter’s amenities. She is relatively new to sailing. I, unfortunately, have more sailing behind me than in front of me. Ninety percent of my sailing has been on the Bay, but the other ten percent has been off shore with just over 10,000 miles under various keels. I love the trip the Bermuda and we intend to repeat the great times I had island hopping down to South America and possibly enjoying the pleasures of Maine. With another $100,000 the choice would be simpler, but less likely to happen. Everything I’ve read about the 356 says this is a great leap forward for Hunter. But then Hunter needed to make a great leap. I want know if anyone has sailed the 356 offshore and what modification they made. That outward turned deck joint bothers me. I’ve never been in a Force 10 in the North Sea, although with a wife from the North of England, I’ve seen just how nasty that stretch of water can be. I have been in 50 kts off Diamond Shoals and can assure you this is not the time you want to start thinking about the integrity of your boat. Thanks again.
Maybe not for what you want....
If you plan to go offshore you might want to check the spec's on this boat. Displacement to length ratio is 236. 250 to 300 is where you should be. And the capsize screen is 2.10, but you should be under 2.00 In my opinion, this is a nice boat, but not one I would want to cross the Gulf Stream in... Good Luck Ron
If you plan to go offshore you might want to check the spec's on this boat. Displacement to length ratio is 236. 250 to 300 is where you should be. And the capsize screen is 2.10, but you should be under 2.00 In my opinion, this is a nice boat, but not one I would want to cross the Gulf Stream in... Good Luck Ron
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