Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 26.5 by Jim Rogers

Year built 1988  
Location of boat Grand Rivers, Ky  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2002  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, Great boat for the money, and has been a good learning boat for wife and I. Like most others, we are considering bigger, but this has been a great introduction to weekends on the water.  
Gear that's been added Boat was well equipped, added new jib sheets, boom vang, sail cover, tiller tender.  
Structural or complex improvements Installed stainless plate under motor bracket and an aluminum plate inside hull to better distribute weight, new halyard exits, contemplating roller furling.  
The boat's best features The space, after sailing a 21' Venture this boat is huge, albeit still short on headroom. Aft berth is spacious, v -berth adequate, ample storage for weekends. The 9.9 outboard does a good job of getting us from the dock to sailing water. Shallow draft wing keel works well for us on Kentucky Lake, not too hard to get unstuck from the mud. haha. Sails well into wind and easy enuf for 2 newcomers to handle.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The outboard can be tricky to raise and lower, have to stand on the swim ladder. Thinking of installing a small vang to facilitate this job. Haven't been able to get running lights burning yet, lack of ventilation except for hatches, no opening ports.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails well into wind, on our best day we covered just over 40 miles. In 15mph breeze, standard sails are plenty, not hard to overpower. Singlehanded , I sometimes use main alone.  
Motoring characterisitcs Like others with outboard , hard to back where you want to go, but works well otherwise, good fuel economy. Cockpit controls work well. Motors at 5 knots.  
Liveability Kinda cramped, I am 6'1 215, so headroom is lacking, appx 5'4 in galley. Thinking of installing movable seat for cooking purposes. Still a cramped nite on the boat beats a night in fromt of the tv in my recliner. the one burner stove makes great coffee, and wife has become quite good at fixing breakfast in one pan. We are plannning on several extended weekends this spring and summer. Open transom is great for swimming.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Not yet  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought our boat from a dealer who just sold power boats. He took this boat in trade and it sat for maybe 2 years, his comment was when we gave him the check "Yahoo"  
Other comments It has been a very enjoyable experience for us. If we move up we will alwaya have good memories of this boat.  

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