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Review of the Hunter 30_88-94 by Bryan Pfaffenberger

Year built 1989  
Location of boat Irvington, VA  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2002  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? For the amount of money involved, it's hard to beat: roomy aft cabin, good sailing characteristics, attractive interior. It is very difficult to find boats in this price range that offer these features.  
Gear that's been added Completed: * Reverse-cycle air conditioner * Autohelm 4000+ autopilot * Standard Horizon chartplotter * West Marine 40w RMS/channel FM/MP3 w/three independently switchable speaker systems * External shore power connector * City water inlet * New Blue Sea Systems electrical panels: 110v & 12v * Upgraded 12v system with dedicated starting battery and 3 95ah deep-cycle house batteries * 1000w inverter * Upgraded bilge pump (1200 g/h, automatic) Planned: * Adler/Barbour refrigeration system * Raymarine depth/sound * Cruising spinnaker  
Structural or complex improvements Completed: * Refinished sole panels w/7 coats varnish * Interior teak resheathed w/teak veneer where worn * Interior teak varnished w/3 coats Epiphanes Rubbed Effect varnish * Stock counter laminate replaced with Corian-look-alike laminate * Shower drain w/Water Puppy overboard pump so that shower water does not drain into bilge * Icebox drain w/dedicated overboard bilge pump Planned: * Replace alcohol stove/oven with propane cooktop (above) and 12v microwave (below) *  
The boat's best features * Excellent value for money * Roomy aft cabin * Very good sailing qualities (see below) * Backs straight under power (rare!) * Easy to sail * Responsive in light air * Sturdy, high-quality fittings where it counts  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. * Superficial cracks in exterior gelcoat (typical Hunter trademark - easily repaired) * Hull/keel joint needs refilling as annual maintenance (not a structural issue - can be permanently fixed w/epoxy fill) * Gelcoat yellowing (typical of fiberglass boat of this age)  
Sailing characterisitcs Experience - 8 yrs; owned two previous boats (Catalina 34 and Beneteau 331) - following should be interpreted in light of this experience. This boat performs well under the conditions most likely to be encountered by coastal cruisers: it's light enough to get underway in light winds (5-10 kts), stable enough to keep family members happy under normal conditions (10-15 kts), and fast enough to provide thrills aplenty in more challenging conditions (15-30 kts). Last weekend (Nov 2002), I single-handed J-Bird (my h30g) in brisk conditions (steady 25 kts); motoring out, I got the usual "There goes another bozo in a Hunter" treatment from a bunch of jerks in an S2 (a racer of comparable size). I let them get several hundred yards in front of me. After reaching the river, I unfurled J-Bird's sails, put in a reef, and got her port rail in the water on a totally thrilling close reach (speeds 6.5 kts+) - some weather helm in gusts, but quite controllable. After a couple of miles, the S2 guys couldn't believe it when they turned around and saw me right behind them -- not only had I kept up with them, I had gained on them. They were frantically trying to figure out what they had done wrong with sail trim, etc. Seconds later, in a hell of a gust (probably 35 - 40 kts), they broached (they hadn't reefed). From my perspective (not theirs!), the adventure was nothing short of hilarious. I should add that I really like the keel design. It isn't a fin -- it's long enough to give the boat excellent tracking under adverse conditions, but short enough so that it doesn't compromise speed. Great job on this. (I'd rather have a lead keel, of course, but iron keels are all that one can expect in this price range.) Caveat: I wouldn't take this boat offshore. But then again, I wouldn't take ANY production sailboat offshore unless it's at least 40' (preferably 45') and certified for blue water use. This boat is for coastal cruising. For that, it's great.  
Motoring characterisitcs The 1989 Hunter 30g isn't underpowered, but I'd also say that it isn't OVERpowered - you have to push the diesel to get to hull speed (better to back off a bit and accept 6 kts). Sufficient power to motor into fairly strong headwinds. Excellent characteristics in reverse (backs straight with little prop wash effect) - this is a major plus! I dock under all conditions (including 25 kt winds) by placing J-Bird in reverse; I turn around so that I'm facing aft, and steer by gripping the wheel behind me. I can shoot straight into my very narrow slip without difficulty.  
Liveability I take this to mean weekend cruising and the occasional week-long cruise. The aft cabin is surprisingly roomy and comfortable with tons of leg room for tall folks (my Catalina 34's aft cabin could best be described as a coffin). The forward cabin is suitable for kids only UNLESS the bunk is extended by means of a common owner modification (an insert board that fits between the two lockers and supports a spare bolster from the main cabin). Even so, it's best suited to one adult. SO: this boat is outstanding for the following: * Single-handing * Single-handing with one guest * Couple * Couple with one older kid * Couple with one adult guest * Couple with two small kids The boat would be tight for two couples unless they were VERY friendly and used to each other.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Just one experience (ordered part) - very good; friendly, informative, fast.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought from Norton's in Deltaville, VA. This dealer is well known to Hunter owners and fans as one of the best places to buy Hunters, new and used. The owners are good people and straight shooters. I strongly recommend this dealer to anyone contemplating a Hunter purchase; yachts can be easily and inexpensively delivered just about anywhere on the east coast.  
Other comments Bottom line: The Hunter 30 (ca. 1989-1984) is a sleeper in the used yacht market. It isn't well known because relatively few of them were made. For your money, you'll get a roomy aft cabin that's hard to equal in comparable yachts of this vintage. It's chief competitor, the Catalina 30, seems dated in comparison: comparably priced C30s have a small aft cabin (or no aft cabin) and are significantly slower. My advice: If you find one of these boats in good condition and you believe it meets your needs, BUY IT! Prices have flattened out, the boat's reputation is spreading, and chances are good that, should you need to sell, you'll get all or nearly all of your investment back.  

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