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Review of the Hunter 30_88-94 by Robert Nodolf

Year built 1990  
Location of boat Brownsville, 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 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1996  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? If not this specific one then for sure at least a Hunter.But then we took almost a year find this one!  
Gear that's been added This particular one was pretty well equipped prior to my purchase, I have not found the need to add any additional gear (other than minor things and woodenplugs near all my through hulls) However, our particular boat is well equipped. Besides the common things like depth and knot log, we also have apparent wind, auto pilot with wind vanesteering ability (why the previous owner felt compelled to add this to the autopilot, I don'thave any idea, by his own ommision, he didn't sail it). The boat is also well equippedinside with cabin heat, a very large (not original equip) holding tank, water tank withtank level indication. The fuel tank has an electric fuel gauge (proves to be only usefulwhen at the dock!). The boat also came with a UK Gennaker (had not been previously used), a three blade prop, dodger and bimini plus a box full of spares!So, yeah I haven't added much gear, but then . . . what would I add?  
Structural or complex improvements Structural changes . . . not really. Only thing I've modified is the additionof a piano hinge to the deck cover that goes over the access port to the depth transducer and speed log. I was not keen on the idea of having to remove 4 screwsbefore I could gain access to these two items. Have also installed a seperate fresh water foot pump with inline filter and an isolationvalve in-line (something about draining the whole tank anytime I wanted to change or cleana filter just didn't set well with me.  
The boat's best features 1. Room. We have a family of five. 2 adults, 2 teens and 1 six year old. We do extended weekends and a lot of day sailing. Believe it when people say this boat has as much (if not more room) than many boats much larger. 2. Size. This is different than "room" I've found the H30 is really an optimum size for this area. This isbased on (a) it is large enough to handle virtually anything (and I mean anything. . . we got caught in our Easter day wind storms trying to beat to safe harbor where my apparent wind meter registered 58 kts[just before it quit working] and (b) it is small enough to virtually find room in a marina or moorage almost any where plus (c) one person can handle the boat on their own when necessary.3. Tradition. Unlike some of the more recent cousins of the H30 this boat still knows what the inside should look like. I have good ole fashion teak where it belongs with solid doors, etc. inside and just enough teak outsideto remind me it is there. Some of the newer interiors are just too "modern and sterile" for my tastes.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Easy: The engine access (I don't mean just for checking oil, etc.) is reallyawful. This continues within the engine housing as well. If you haven't cleanedor replaced your mixing elbow yet . . . make sure you invite some of those in-laws you can't wait to get rid of to help you with this job. . . they will leave fast and never return!I recently replaced both intermediate shrouds. Found both to exhibit some really strange "un-rolling" where they passed through the lower spreaders. (Could have been this way for years for all's I know)  
Sailing characterisitcs Boat is very responsive and handles very well in a broad range of wind.Most people I know recommend reefing a lot earlier than you may be used to with other boats/models . . . we typically reef early anyways especially ifwe are planning on any long distance runs (why beat yourself up!)Boat is very fast especially while broad reaching. We also fly a Gennaker quite often (especially since I have only a 110 up front). This spinnaker flys very well from a close reach to a broad reach and really gets theboat moving in light air (  
Motoring characterisitcs We have a three blade prop and I like it! I don't raceso what I loose to drag (can believe it is that much) I make up in how quick the prop bites in reverse and how much extra pushI get out of this little engine. Note typical motor speed is about 6 kn at 2400 rpm at about 1/2 gallon per hour fuel consuption (withclean hull off-course).Backs well (both to port and to starboard) unlike some boats that justrefuse to back opposite of the prop walk.  
Liveability As stated earlier. We have spent over a week at a time with a family of five (and a 54 pound dog . . . she doesn't come below though!)There is a lot of storage and room. We don't take a TV or a VCR, but do load up lots of other things like kites, fishing gearkayak (on top of boat) sailing dingy (towed) etc. The ice box is verydeep and a block of ice, supplemented with cubes, lasts a long long time.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Have not dealt with them directly.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought from a "power boat" broker. I think this was theonly sail boat they even represented! Regardless the broker wasexcellent, very helpful the process (converted from a documented boat to a state registered one), etc.  
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