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Review of the Hunter 35.5 by Dar Christopherson

Year built 1989  
Location of boat Tacoma, Washington  
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 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? yes, after owning many boats both power and sail, we felt this was one of the first of the "new" designed boats that really delivered a lot of versatility. We dive and carry a lot a gear and this was the only sailboat that offerred a potential that this would work. We do not sail hard, many times only the head sail is set with the auto pilot on. It seems to sail very well with the stock sails. We call it a sailing pleasure barge rather than a performance cruiser but that is just reflective of the way we use it.  
Gear that's been added Dingy davits with a hi pressure bottom inflatable, dodger and cockpit rain fly, auto pilot, through hull ds., 4 batteries, extra holding tank capacity, air preheater for Yanmar for the cold starting, refridgeration,central forced air heat. Lots and lots of little personal refinements that make the boat easier to use and stay on.  
Structural or complex improvements Lazarett lid holder. Raised the toilet on a teak shelf 3-4 inches, HEY... on the vibration issue...I tracked this for some time and found that the motor mounts were reversed from the factory. Check it out, Yanmar installation instruction were WRONG for several years around 1989. Your 75 pound mounts should be in the fron and you 100#mounts ahould be in the rear. Virtually all Hunters assembled with the Yanmar 3G.. were done incorrectly. I bought two new 100s and left the old incorrectly installed 100s up front. After tedious realigning, it is smooth.  
The boat's best features Layout and general sailability. Appears to be layed up well in the right places. No undue flexing or weakness observed. You can buy these boats at reasonable prices and they have a layout and features that compare with the newest designs  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. See above. For some reason my boat has more than usual stress cracking around the strangest spots. Easily kept up on and definately nothing structural.  
Sailing characterisitcs good sailing for a non serious guy like me. It seems like a leaner to me. Definately not what I would call a "stiff" boat, but then it only goes so far and seems to stop regardless of the wind. 30 degrees seems to be the wall. Once you get used to this, the boat inspires confidence. We mostly sail at about 15 degrees in 12 - 20 mph wind. Spent a lot of time adjusting the main sail to get it to trim up to what I think is proper. But then I really dont know what I am doing with it anyway and I dont have much trouble getting 7-9 knots out of it. Thats good enough.  
Motoring characterisitcs very acceptible after changes made  
Liveability very good. Very comfortable even after 8 or 9 days on the boat.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) none  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any We bought ours through a broker in Everett and it was a little painful Had to ride all the points.  
Other comments Very good boat for coastal cruising. I do not think I would be confident in an ocean passage. But nothing shows anysigns of weakness or failure even in a 15 year old boat, so it must be OK.  

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