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Review of the Hunter 30_74-83 by George

Year built 1979  
Location of boat Tampa Bay  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1979  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely! I bought my h30 brand new from the dealer in Orange Park, FL and, at the time, lived aboard while I got used to sailing the 30 after sailing a North American 23. Like most everyone here who have written reviews, I have found the boat to be spacious, manageable solo, comfortable, and most of all sturdy.  
Gear that's been added After 26 years, where to start? Over this time I removed the stock pressure alcohol stove/oven, which would not cook game hens for three hours on the maiden voyage, with an Origo, 2 burner stove and a Sears microwave/convection combo oven, I Don't think of propane as an asset... I smoke. I have added one bimini and replaced two covers and two main sail covers, and a Sunbrella mast- to-backstay awning. In electronics, a RDF radio; 2 depth sounders; 2 VHF radios; 2 Garmin GPS receivers; and 2 stereo systems and a new 12 volt panel to handle new equipment. In the interior; 2 12v fans; one 115v interior coach light; 1 brass, interior, bulkhead-mounted, gimbled, oil lamp; teak paper towel and knife holders. For safety, I have added an EPIRB, Horseshoe PFD, Radar reflector, Spreader mounted deck lights, Jack lines, Masthead tri-color and anchor lights; New standing rigging has been replaced once and running rigging, including adding a topping lift, have all been replaced twice. For sailing; a 150% genoa was added.  
Structural or complex improvements The mast step in the bilge rusted away and was replaced with an epoxy coated steel I beam and an encapsulated marine plywood step base, and the mast step on the cabin top was rebuilt to Hunter specs. The teak and holly sole and the Gray brand portlights were replaced with new units from Beckson. A new stainless water heater was installed, as the original rusted out. The new stainless one has a heat exchanger which provides very warm water after only one hour engine running time. The new unit is smaller than the original, but a notch must be cut in the inboard edge of the cockpit locker floor to allow installation. The Yanmar YSM-12, one cyclinder desiel was rebuilt in 1999 by Marine Pro in Merrit Island, Fl. New exterior, teak handrails were installed and the main hatch was rebuilt. The anchor locker hatch was rebuilt, due to delamination. Finally, a bow roller was installed.  
The boat's best features As a pure cruiser: stable sailing, even in HEAVY seas across the Gulf Stream; people room and storage; simplicity and reliability of critical systems; a heavily built hull, which took on a main channel, steel nun-bouy and came away with only cosmetic, gel coat damage.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Mast step from the bilge to the cabin top were poorly designed. Getting to the components was extremely labor intensive and costly to repair. Hotwater heater used as original was not suitable for marine use and required cutting fiberglass to remove and replace. Since most boat owners "trade up" after 5 years, it is left to subsequent owners to resolve these problems. As the original and only owner, these problems have caused many problems and have cost a great deal to resolve.  
Sailing characterisitcs Like most shown here, I find the original sail rig to work fine. And, yes, I have found the significant reverse prop bias (in whichever direction)a problem. But, based on my blue water and shallow water experience, I would not want to be on any other 30ft. boat when the winds hit 30+ and there is a reef nearby.  
Motoring characterisitcs You've heard it all by now... YSM 12's are only barely adequate. When I learned to fly airplanes, I found that I had to plan for contingencies. It's no different with a YSM 12.  
Liveability I lived aboard for a total of two years when I was single. I loved it! Plenty of storage, plenty of comfort and plenty of quiet. I used a auto clothes rod that I mounted on stainless hooks in the V berth to hang business clothes. I used the lockers for everything else. I cooked and I showered aboard, and, I played and slept on the double berth in the main cabin. I even rode out a hurricane aboard in 1979, in Jacksoville!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) They have always been helpful.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Whitney's Marine Center in Orange Park, FL were great and I can only recommend them to buyers in the eastern U. S. Just tell Candy I'm not dead yet!  
Other comments For the last 26 years, over 4000 miles over the water: trips to the Keys, Bahamas, the SE & Gulf coasts and three hurricanes later, I can only say that it's been a great ride. I hope that I can hold up as well.  

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