I thought the early Hunters were of good quality? Do they mean the company Luhrs bought or his early Cherubini effort? History In the 1800s Henry Luhrs, a German immigrant, outfitted trading ships and owned a chandlery. His grandson, Henry, continued the family heritage on the New Jersey coast, building and repairing recreational and fishing boats. By the early 1960s Henry and his sons, John and Warren, were building over a thousand powerboats a year. The Hunter sailboat line began in 1973 when Warren Luhrs decided to combine his building skills with his passion for sailing. Among his goals was producing an affordable boat. The early Hunter boats targeted the lower priced market, but developed a reputation for low quality. However, over time Hunter has evolved into a respected producer of mid-priced sailing yachts, in direct competition with Catalina Yachts and Beneteau. Hunter Marine today Since 1998, Glenn Henderson, who company literature describes as a performance-oriented design leader, has introduced new designs and model numbers in the last few years. On average, Hunter builds about 2,000 boats per year between its two factories in Alachua, Florida and East Lyme, Connecticut; the former focuses producing about 800 larger keel boats, and the latter on producing roughly 1,200 smaller trailerable models. Several midsized models are produced in the United Kingdom, for the European market. Hunter focuses on spacious interiors and substantial storage.
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quality
Hunter does cut back in some areas to make the boat more affordable. On my boat, a 1996, they cut back in quality in foam and hoses. Now for the average day and weekend sailor, those are not that big of a deal. The foam they used is fine unless you use it everyday. The hoses could last a long time of the head wasn't used much and it was pumped out often. Areas in the past they have gone with cheaper equipment such as winches, deck attachments, electrical wiring and so on. I don't believe they cut corners on structural items such as the hull. Some have said the chainplates are weak but I know that definately isn't the case on mine. 99% of sailors don't cross oceans so hunter decided to make a boat affordable so more could get into boating using that as a guide to build boats to what the people needed. How many of us do you think could get into sailboats if all that were available were Hinckleys? Hunter also builds boats that you can cross ocean's with but they aren't cheap.
Hunter does cut back in some areas to make the boat more affordable. On my boat, a 1996, they cut back in quality in foam and hoses. Now for the average day and weekend sailor, those are not that big of a deal. The foam they used is fine unless you use it everyday. The hoses could last a long time of the head wasn't used much and it was pumped out often. Areas in the past they have gone with cheaper equipment such as winches, deck attachments, electrical wiring and so on. I don't believe they cut corners on structural items such as the hull. Some have said the chainplates are weak but I know that definately isn't the case on mine. 99% of sailors don't cross oceans so hunter decided to make a boat affordable so more could get into boating using that as a guide to build boats to what the people needed. How many of us do you think could get into sailboats if all that were available were Hinckleys? Hunter also builds boats that you can cross ocean's with but they aren't cheap.
Cross Oceans in Laundry Basket
That's what Thor did. I have a Hunter 36 vintage 1981. Cherubini designed it. Don't know if it a poor quality boat or just typical of the time. During the prepurchase survey things came up. Poor choices in Valves and Electrical Boxes. Fit and Finish are typical of a Low Budget approach so it looks more Work a Day than Fine Furniture. But who cares? I don't. And actually, cruising is more like work anyway. What with Watches to stand, sail changes to make, navigation duties...etc.. Deck Hardware is middle of the road stuff and the backing plates on mine are Aluminum Plates laminated in. Thats a nice choice because to fasten any deck hardware, just drill and tap threads into the plate and forget about through bolting and the pain in the ass that is. The Hull seems to be strongly built, no oil canning when hauled or sitting on the cradle. Standing Rigging is good, chain plates, if you could call them that, are very substantial Stainless Steel Bars with huge bolts. As to whether it could cross an ocean? No Doubt about it! Afterall its' the Sailor, Not the Sailboat. Sail On. Ross s/v Starbaby
That's what Thor did. I have a Hunter 36 vintage 1981. Cherubini designed it. Don't know if it a poor quality boat or just typical of the time. During the prepurchase survey things came up. Poor choices in Valves and Electrical Boxes. Fit and Finish are typical of a Low Budget approach so it looks more Work a Day than Fine Furniture. But who cares? I don't. And actually, cruising is more like work anyway. What with Watches to stand, sail changes to make, navigation duties...etc.. Deck Hardware is middle of the road stuff and the backing plates on mine are Aluminum Plates laminated in. Thats a nice choice because to fasten any deck hardware, just drill and tap threads into the plate and forget about through bolting and the pain in the ass that is. The Hull seems to be strongly built, no oil canning when hauled or sitting on the cradle. Standing Rigging is good, chain plates, if you could call them that, are very substantial Stainless Steel Bars with huge bolts. As to whether it could cross an ocean? No Doubt about it! Afterall its' the Sailor, Not the Sailboat. Sail On. Ross s/v Starbaby
Bluetoad,
Are you saying some of the deck is underlined with aluminum plate or just the areas under deck fittings? Mine is also an '81, but a 37'cutter. I like the concept of tapping and screwing--would you tap for machine thread? Do you know the thickness of the plate? You are right, the hull seems well constructed and the large chainplates could take quite a load.Although she is a shoal keel, if she is rugged, tis the sailor.
Are you saying some of the deck is underlined with aluminum plate or just the areas under deck fittings? Mine is also an '81, but a 37'cutter. I like the concept of tapping and screwing--would you tap for machine thread? Do you know the thickness of the plate? You are right, the hull seems well constructed and the large chainplates could take quite a load.Although she is a shoal keel, if she is rugged, tis the sailor.
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