I have been reading owner reviews of their boats on various sizes and it seems like 8 or 9 out of 10 people complain about the Hunter Company. Most people say if you have a good dealer, they can help, but it sure does not seem like Hunter is reseptive to their owners. I also read alot about cracks and leaks. If buying used from a private person, there may not be a dealer to help out. What do you think? I'm I missing something? Jason
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Hunter Help
My own experience has been that Hunter do step up when needed. Yes the dealer is your first line to go to with a problem, and sometimes you get a bad one. I have found that if you are persistant and you have a GENUINE problem Hunter will step up. They do not need bad dealers, they are in the business of selling boats and want repeat customers, of which I am one. I have had Hunter suport on waranty claims 2 yrs out of waranty. They have also been very helpful to me in sourcing things they have no control over ( Z Spar ceasing in U.S. a few yrs ago)
My own experience has been that Hunter do step up when needed. Yes the dealer is your first line to go to with a problem, and sometimes you get a bad one. I have found that if you are persistant and you have a GENUINE problem Hunter will step up. They do not need bad dealers, they are in the business of selling boats and want repeat customers, of which I am one. I have had Hunter suport on waranty claims 2 yrs out of waranty. They have also been very helpful to me in sourcing things they have no control over ( Z Spar ceasing in U.S. a few yrs ago)
Hunter Support my $.02
Expectations vary among customers. But I think the company bends over backwards to satisfy reasonable expectations. Nobody makes a perfect production boat. Stuff happens, and when it does, Hunter tries to make it right.
Expectations vary among customers. But I think the company bends over backwards to satisfy reasonable expectations. Nobody makes a perfect production boat. Stuff happens, and when it does, Hunter tries to make it right.
Great Support
I live in new york and bought my 2001-290 in virginia ,it was already one season old I did not buy it new and when I got it to new york I found out it had a leak at the deck to hull seam,at the swim ladder rub rail section. I called the dealer in virginia and they called hunter,they had me bring it a local guy who took it out of the water to repair it and hunter paid $2000.00 for the repair. Hunter and dealer assisted this local guy who was not a hunter dealer and they paid without any problems at all. nick
I live in new york and bought my 2001-290 in virginia ,it was already one season old I did not buy it new and when I got it to new york I found out it had a leak at the deck to hull seam,at the swim ladder rub rail section. I called the dealer in virginia and they called hunter,they had me bring it a local guy who took it out of the water to repair it and hunter paid $2000.00 for the repair. Hunter and dealer assisted this local guy who was not a hunter dealer and they paid without any problems at all. nick
Another thought
I have not needed to contact Hunter Marine directly. However, after viewing this and other forums for some time, I think you have to consider human nature; that is to say, when people are upset, they want to vent and sometimes rant. On the other hand, most people who need support and get it, probably don't take time to write about that experience here. (Now that helps a lot doesn't it??)
I have not needed to contact Hunter Marine directly. However, after viewing this and other forums for some time, I think you have to consider human nature; that is to say, when people are upset, they want to vent and sometimes rant. On the other hand, most people who need support and get it, probably don't take time to write about that experience here. (Now that helps a lot doesn't it??)
Hunter Customer Suport
I have had three occasions to talk with the factory tech people and each time I was given great service and found them very helpful.Just my personal experience.I also know of several owners who have had some warrenty problems resolved and all were quite happy. The positive Hunter experience (of other owners) was one of the reason I purchased my Hunter! I would suggest you talk with actual owners and get there first hand thoughs and I would bet you will get a true read on Hunter's customer service and owners feeling about Hunter Marine.
I have had three occasions to talk with the factory tech people and each time I was given great service and found them very helpful.Just my personal experience.I also know of several owners who have had some warrenty problems resolved and all were quite happy. The positive Hunter experience (of other owners) was one of the reason I purchased my Hunter! I would suggest you talk with actual owners and get there first hand thoughs and I would bet you will get a true read on Hunter's customer service and owners feeling about Hunter Marine.
Limited experience
I have requested information from Hunter via email and phone. I was satisfied with their support. I don't ask for much. Compared with what I expect and get from others I deal with (Honda, Mercury, the contractor that built our house, etc.), IMHO Hunter is better than the others. As much as anything, its probably a matter is setting expectations.
I have requested information from Hunter via email and phone. I was satisfied with their support. I don't ask for much. Compared with what I expect and get from others I deal with (Honda, Mercury, the contractor that built our house, etc.), IMHO Hunter is better than the others. As much as anything, its probably a matter is setting expectations.
Just the opposite....
From my reading of the reviews (and I've read most of them I'd bet) the general view is just the opposite. Many folks have complaints about their Hunter dealers, especially some of them on the west coast, failing to prepare/handle issues. But almost all of the owners say that Hunter Marine has help solve their problems. There has/does appear to be some problems with Hunter dealers which, perhaps correctly, reflects poorly on Hunter Corp. And, yes, there are complaints about engineering/manuf problems at Hunter, and I've made them myself. But hey, we're all still here and obviously we like Hunters. (I'm on my 3rd and considering a 4th right now.) Boats, and particularly their systems, are complex machines designed to do many things you have in a house, just in 1/100 of the space (refrig, water, etc., etc.) It's like an airplane or the space shuttle, just WAY less expensive. My parents bought a $$$ motorhome a few years back (suppossedly one of the best models) and I was astounded at the number of warranty issues they faced. Manuf just casually said that's the way it goes with RV's - duh. Gotta say, my personal experience with Hunter Corp. has been exceptional. For example, an email I sent to Hunter Corp. this week, regarding a structural issue on a 1997 Hunter that I'm looking at buying, was answered within 12 hours with a precise answer. I think you should re-read those reviews with a different pair of glasses.
From my reading of the reviews (and I've read most of them I'd bet) the general view is just the opposite. Many folks have complaints about their Hunter dealers, especially some of them on the west coast, failing to prepare/handle issues. But almost all of the owners say that Hunter Marine has help solve their problems. There has/does appear to be some problems with Hunter dealers which, perhaps correctly, reflects poorly on Hunter Corp. And, yes, there are complaints about engineering/manuf problems at Hunter, and I've made them myself. But hey, we're all still here and obviously we like Hunters. (I'm on my 3rd and considering a 4th right now.) Boats, and particularly their systems, are complex machines designed to do many things you have in a house, just in 1/100 of the space (refrig, water, etc., etc.) It's like an airplane or the space shuttle, just WAY less expensive. My parents bought a $$$ motorhome a few years back (suppossedly one of the best models) and I was astounded at the number of warranty issues they faced. Manuf just casually said that's the way it goes with RV's - duh. Gotta say, my personal experience with Hunter Corp. has been exceptional. For example, an email I sent to Hunter Corp. this week, regarding a structural issue on a 1997 Hunter that I'm looking at buying, was answered within 12 hours with a precise answer. I think you should re-read those reviews with a different pair of glasses.
Ok, I'll chime in,
See all those other posts, I'm going to say the same thing. My boat is an '86 H34 that we bought new. We thought the working partner of the dealership was horrible. Hunter dumped the dealer the next year. When I call Hunter for any reason they help and solve my question. The key for me, being on the west coast, is to get a real person on the phone and not to leave a message. Hell, this summer Hunter sent to me a FREE midget clam shell to cover my new-lower owner installed anchor locker drain hole. I think Hunter understands that a guy like me isn't going to be at the dealers this week looking at new boats but they still go the distance.
See all those other posts, I'm going to say the same thing. My boat is an '86 H34 that we bought new. We thought the working partner of the dealership was horrible. Hunter dumped the dealer the next year. When I call Hunter for any reason they help and solve my question. The key for me, being on the west coast, is to get a real person on the phone and not to leave a message. Hell, this summer Hunter sent to me a FREE midget clam shell to cover my new-lower owner installed anchor locker drain hole. I think Hunter understands that a guy like me isn't going to be at the dealers this week looking at new boats but they still go the distance.
Fan of hunter
I think that you are getting the wrong impression, Jason. I am on my second Hunter, this one is a new 33. Before buying it I looked at Tartan, Catalina, Beneteau, Bavaria, and I looked at everything from the newest to 7 years old. In every case, hunter won out. Proof: I bought a hunter to replace my previous hunter. I TOTALLY trust my boat dealer and would recommend him to anyone (and I do at work). He is local to RI and since I don't know if I can mention it openly, I will email my rec to anyone that asks. I talk to him all the time and am always impressed by his knowledge and honesty. Finally, leaks/cracks/moans/groans/and gripes. That is what these forums are for. We talk socially and share issues that are usually minor anyways. I would challenge any boat to go the same distance as hunter for support, quality, and at a reasonable price. In fact if you can find a better combo buy it. For my money, we are a Hunter family.
I think that you are getting the wrong impression, Jason. I am on my second Hunter, this one is a new 33. Before buying it I looked at Tartan, Catalina, Beneteau, Bavaria, and I looked at everything from the newest to 7 years old. In every case, hunter won out. Proof: I bought a hunter to replace my previous hunter. I TOTALLY trust my boat dealer and would recommend him to anyone (and I do at work). He is local to RI and since I don't know if I can mention it openly, I will email my rec to anyone that asks. I talk to him all the time and am always impressed by his knowledge and honesty. Finally, leaks/cracks/moans/groans/and gripes. That is what these forums are for. We talk socially and share issues that are usually minor anyways. I would challenge any boat to go the same distance as hunter for support, quality, and at a reasonable price. In fact if you can find a better combo buy it. For my money, we are a Hunter family.
great response
We are on our second used Hunter and for both of them I have had questions and have gotten great answers and resources. I didn't even bother asking the Hunter dealer but went right to the source and was not disappointed.
We are on our second used Hunter and for both of them I have had questions and have gotten great answers and resources. I didn't even bother asking the Hunter dealer but went right to the source and was not disappointed.
Hunter support excellent
When I first bought my 29.5, there were a few problems.Hunter went out of their way, including paying a non dealer marina to fix the problem areas, and install replacement parts. They were GREAT. Hunter Marine is first rate in my book.Whenever you need advice or parts they are very responsive.By the way my boat is now 10 yrs old now, and I still love it.
When I first bought my 29.5, there were a few problems.Hunter went out of their way, including paying a non dealer marina to fix the problem areas, and install replacement parts. They were GREAT. Hunter Marine is first rate in my book.Whenever you need advice or parts they are very responsive.By the way my boat is now 10 yrs old now, and I still love it.
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