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Review of the Hunter 466 by Mark Whitman

Year built 2002  
Location of boat Daytona Beach, Florida  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Blue water, extended passages  
Normal wind strength 16-22 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, with the following concerns solved. 1. Electrical was not installed correctly. It has taken most of two years to get factory engineer to correct system problems. 2. Fuel supply to diesel has yet to resolved. The diesel runs out of fuel in rough weather. It is a serious life safety concern. The four trips to the dealer has yet to get the problem resolved.  
Gear that's been added Upgraded radar to 24" dome. Added single side band radio. "Looking" at Sat system for weather fax and email. Spinniker for better downwind performance.  
Structural or complex improvements Replaced rudder with offered upgrade as it was identified as possible breakage problem in seas. We had expressed concern following two years of offshore trips in excess of 800 miles that the rudder appeared to be bending under sea conditions and flet as it might be getting worse.  
The boat's best features Family enjoys the galley, and available space below. She is dry on deck in all but close hauled in seas over eight feet. AC and water maker makes the passages into the Bahamas more enjoyable.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Zantrex boiled our batteries dry until the unit was uprgraded and wiring redone in the electrical system. The anchor is light at 45 pounds. A 60 pound with more chain would make for better holding in wind conditions.  
Sailing characterisitcs We have a shoal draft boat of 5'-6" with roller furling main and genoa. We have reached at 7.6 knots in winds between 18 to 23 knots. This has been done over multiple ocean runs in seas not more than seven feet. She must be handled with reduced sail areas in winds over 23 knots. Winds under five knots requires power. She can be brought around in her own length at full boat speed if necessary.  
Motoring characterisitcs The bow thruster is very helpful when docking with minimal crew or with cross tide and wind conditions. The boat will run at five to six knots under power at 2200 RPM with fuel cosumption estimated at less tahn a half gallon per hour. We utilize a fixed three blade prop having poor performance from a folding prop. The boat back and turns beautifully and the bow thruster allows effortless pick up of lines on pilings.  
Liveability It is comfortable, dry, with lots of space for family to enjoy their own spaces. We have a grill on the stern rail and anchor out weekends in bays and estuarys along the coast to picnic and spend the night away from the crowds. It is self supporting in the Bahamas and requires few shopping trips ashore to resupply for six weeks summer fun.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Hunter sales were good. The follow up was less supportive particular to the electrical issues and fuel problems.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any They ahve been slow from commissioning through fixing warranty problems. The Miami Beach guys (that didn't sell us our boat) have been grreat in warranty support have been a regular source of very knowledgable information about their product and offer specific help in supporting our boats needs.  
Other comments Quality assurance and certification of the vessel as delivery ready in the final execution of the product would be a great plus.  

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