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Review of the Hunter 34 by Eric Jones

Year built 1985  
Location of boat Solomons, MD  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1991  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. Although its sailing characteristics are not as good as other boats I've owned, it is a lkot of boat for the money.  
Gear that's been added Roller furlerAir conditioning  
Structural or complex improvements Repaired rotted compression post,Installed insulation and cypress ceilings in foreberth and quarterberth,Added transom extension/swim platform  
The boat's best features Interior layout is roomy and functional with adequate headroom for six footers. Quarterberth is tight to get into, but lots of sleeping/storage space. Personally prefer installed dinette to folding salon tables. Deck layout allows easy movement topsides.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The non-skid isn't.Has the standard Hunter starboard list.The compression post design is really dumb. Can't believe using non-treated pine in the only structural wood on the boat! I'd have gladly paid the extra $5.Interior woodwork and plastic locker panels are cheesy, but interior can be improved with some extra teak veneer and a lot of varnish and elbow grease. Foreberth is short for medium sized adults.The housing for the engine/transmission controls on my model was made of plastic, and fell apart. Hunter didn't have any spares. Ended up buying a cast aluminum replacement from a third party for lots of $$.  
Sailing characterisitcs The sail plan doesn't really work for this boat in winds above 12-15 knots. Too much jib and weather helm, enough to stall rudder if you don't reef. Reefing genny really necessary. On the other hand, for the Chesapeake where the summer winds are usually 12 knots or less, this can be one fast sucker!!Can be a good lazy boat in light air--one of the few sloops I've sailed that does well under jib alone.  
Motoring characterisitcs Backs up beautifully! Despite contrary comments from other H34 owners, I've found it to be superior under power, getting past hull speed at about 2800 RPM with good directional stability. Yanmar is great little beast.  
Liveability Super for two people wanting to get away for a few days. Big enough for weekends with another couple. Gets a little tight with five or more for anything other than daysailing.We added AC/heat and insulation and ceiling so it's comfortable in worst heat or cold we get in Southern Maryland. We've used it for two weeks at a time in season and as a floating condo all through the year.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) The three times I dealt with them were washouts: 1. Couldn't help or provide advice in solving the compression post failure (1992).2. Couldn't help in replacing hull striping (1994).3. Couldn't help in finding replacement control housing for engine controls (1995).  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any N/A  
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