Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 34 by Ramsay Selden

Year built 1983  
Location of boat West River Md./Chesapeake Bay  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1999  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Complicated answer-- If I literally had to go back to when I bought this boat, I would buy it again--for the uses I thought I would be using it for: weekends with several relatives and friends at a time. If I were buying a boat now, I'd buy a different type of boat--a pilot house motorsailor, because I am not using the H-34 as I thought I would, and I realize I want to use the boat in a way that requires a different type of boat.  
Gear that's been added Bimini top, cabin cushion covers, automatic battery charger.  
Structural or complex improvements No.  
The boat's best features First, the cabin layout and features--having a private aft cabin, nice settee AND dinette in the main cabin, nicely designed head with vanity and shower, well-thought-out galley, good storage. Second, great combination of size, layout, performance, and price. Finally, sailing performance.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The cockpit is small, and people seem to have to walk over each other to move around.  
Sailing characterisitcs I thought the boat was slow, until I got the bottom done! It's fast! Also, it points pretty well, if you trim it carefully. For an aft-cockpit boat, it's also very dry in the cockpit  
Motoring characterisitcs I have the Westerbeke 22, and it's a bit noisy and has a fair amount of vibration. I don't like running it for long periods of time, which one often has to do on the Bay. On the other hand, it's economical and gives pretty good performance at medium throttle. Also, it has been totally reliable, so far.  
Liveability Excellent for 1-3 people. I haven't overnighted with two couples or with 4-5 people, but that would be cramped and people would be in each other's way, I think. Realistically, the cabin is livable, but people like being up in the light and open, so they go to the cockpit. That's why I'm getting a pilot-house boat next time. I have slept in the aft cabin fairly often, but not in hot weather. It's fine under those conditions. Galley and head are very workable. There don't seem to be many places to hang out comfortably on deck other than the cockpit.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Haven't dealt with them.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Very good: Bob Bean at Martin Bird Associates, Annapolis. Also good experience with Sterling Acceptance on my financing and closing. My only complaint was that I was required to handle the boat as a documented vessel. I didn't mind that, in terms of how I might end up using the boat, but it didn't make sense as to why I had to do it.  
Other comments Not so pretty or traditional that it really grabs your heart, but a good all-around boat: right size, good price, fine performance, and people-oriented design.  

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