Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 27_75-84 by jim fonner

Year built 1978  
Location of boat Noank, Ct.  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? No, It would really have been better with a Wheel rather than tiller. Other than that I can't complain. Performance is great for a heavy boat, but I like the idea of the thicker older hull underneath me.  
Gear that's been added Raymarine ST40 depth, Lowrance 3500C GPS  
Structural or complex improvements Not yet, plan on moving traveler from cockpit to top of cabin to increase cockpit convienience, and check into options for wheel steerage should we keep the boat.  
The boat's best features Sailing charecteristics are very predictable. Very solid in the waves, good ride and you dont get wet.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Nothing  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails close hauled very well can pull in very tight about 25 degrees on wind angle and not luffing the sails. Sails very straight for shallow keel if heeled correctly. sails well donwind also with 150% genoa and wisker pole, wing on wing also works very well. Broad reach is a little slow and you need to work the boat and be patient. (maybe I'm just not good at it yet)  
Motoring characterisitcs Backs poorly, needed to practice alot to figure out its charecteristics, yanmar diesel is great. Mine is original never reworked and still starts first time everytime, even in the dead of winter, Sufficient speed and control for most situations, need to avoid and really strong currents over 5 knots. average motoring speed is about 6.5 knots. Fuel burn is about 1/4 gallon per hour. Engine noise is pretty loud, going to add more sound insulation soon to try to knock down the noise.  
Liveability Weekend trips are great with wife and two kids 8 & 12. Could probably survive a week cruise no problem. Cooking onboard is fine with two burner alcohol stove, also have gas grill on rail, more than sufficient. Enough room for all plus gear with out crowding. (we travel light anyway)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any It was great. Dealt with broker, the boat sold itself.  
Other comments Looked at and sailed other brands and when we move up next year it will be on a Hunter 36' to 38' 1990s model with the geat improvements in the cockpit and transom area and the nice bright interiors....but we will have to give up the rugged hull of the older models in trade for a little more speed....