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Review of the Hunter 29.5 by Fred Firmani

Year built 1994  
Location of boat Galesville, Maryland  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1994  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. I bought this boat new in 1994 and for the price (which was as much as I could afford at the time) it was clearly the best and most boat available on the market for the price at the time. It was like a 36 footer of the day with the last fairly useless 6 feet cut off. Now, this design approach is ubiquitous, but it was revolutionary in 1994. After owning it nearly 13 years I could afford to buy a larger boat, but now that it is only my wife and I that use it, why bother? It is a perfect Cheaspeake Bay boat.  
Gear that's been added Autohelm ST 4000 wheel autopilot. Garmin GPS Map. Stereo system.  
Structural or complex improvements After first year of sailing selling dealer performed substantial work on fiberglass in stern area to prevent a leak that I hadn't noticed. Water had collected in the area behind the panels at the rear of the stern double berth which does not have a way to get to the bilge. There was also a recall for a large bolt or nut that had to be replaced and I replaced it myself after Hunter sent me the replacement part.  
The boat's best features Very trouble free notwithstanding the use of average quality hardware. Nice sailing when wind is above 10 knots, unfortunately the Chesapeake Bay in summer is not very windy unless there is a storm. Great boat in serious storms, which occur in the afternoons on the bay in the summer. Shallow draft is great for the Chesapeake. The large cockpit and open transom are the best feature of the boat, great for kids and launching the dinghy.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Opening ports in the main cabin tend to leak and if overtightened (by guests) and the tangs will break. I had to replace a port because of an overawalous guest. Interestingly, the port in the rear cabin is of better quality. Water leaks through the mast entry point to the cabin, but this is a problem all boats have in my experience.  
Sailing characterisitcs Great in 10-15 knot winds. Under 10 knots it takes a lot of tweaking to get any speed and all the tweaking tends to overpower the smallish rudder. Over 15 knots first reef is recommended and the boat needs complete attention to go fast, which is fine and fun usually. Very safe boat for the beginner as it will quickly turn into the wind if one screws up in stronger winds. Many years ago when she was 1 or 2 years old, I was sailing nicely in about 18 knot steady wind with single reef and crossing a river opening (South River) heading south from Annapolis. We were hit by 10-20 second 40 knot gust. The boat heeled to the point that the end of the boom seemed to hit the water but she turned quickly into the wind and all was fine.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have no complaints either forward or sternway. Overheating problem aside.  
Liveability It is a big 30 footer. Two kids and two adults were fine for the boat overnighting. Now no kids so it has plenty of room. As some have said, there is very little locker space for clothes, but the now unused forward berth now provided plenty of space. I would guess that real navigators would complain about the lack of a navigation table/alcove, but there is little need for navigation on the Chesapeake. As we say, not too many sailors get lost on the Chesapeake Bay.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) They were quite responsive when I asked them for help in installing that bolt for the recall when I had a question. Plus, they advised the dealer of the potential leak problem in the stern area which the dealer corrected under warranty.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any The Hunter dealer in Havre de Grace, Maryland is a great Hunter dealer. They are called Tidewater. I would take my boat there every year for bottom cleaning and painting but it is an 8 hour sail from Galesville so after the first winterization where they took care of warranty problems I never took it back to them preferring to use the fellow at my Marina where we own a condo slip. The sales experience was low stress and cordial at the boat show in Annapolis where I bought the boat and the commissioning at Havre de Grace a few months later was also a great experience.  
Other comments Hunters and the 29.5 in particular are truly the best boats for the price. They are high production "price" boats, but they are well designed and in my experience just a cut above Catalinas, and the French high production "price" boats.  

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