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Review of the Hunter 450 by Chris Oldham

Year built 1997  
Location of boat Cape Cod, Fiddler's Cove, MA  
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?  
Owner bought the boat in 1997  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Just got it! Arrived 2/24/97 and looks goodso far, as we start the commissioning process.Will let you have more after we've sailed ita bit.  
Gear that's been added 9kw Kohler Generator, Aircon/Heat, ST-80instruments with repeaters at helm, seahood, nav station and aft cabin, Raytheon2 station 40XX Radar with MAARPA, 200sq ftcopper mesh glassed into hull sor SSB ground, ICOM 710 SSB w/Ham bands, B  
Structural or complex improvements Opened up additiopnal bilge access in salon - so far!Probably will extend Nav Station thwartshipbulkhead inboard a bit to accomodateour electronics better.  
The boat's best features Liveability, space, power and rig.Toughness of build, deck stowage,lazarettes, and line lockers at last!Ventilation and BANG FOR THE BUCK!  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Don't know yet, but generator sea straineris a bronze Groco, while the Volvo has anitsy bitsy plastic version. Will change this out.Think engine and generator Racors areundersize.I don't like things that drain to thebilge, so am plumbing wet locker draininto sump pump etc.Windshield is not worth it - we sent it back!Will update this as we progress!Holding tanks appear to be 20 galls each,not 25 galls.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sailed the protype in light winds - nottoo bad. Sailed one in 15kts and onceup to speed, it batts along well. Forlight air you absolutely must have thestandard and not the furling rig, if youwant to do any sailing!May well eventually change the sails tolighter versions nto reduce weight aloftand potentia;l heel. This boat has a veryhigh freeboard!  
Motoring characterisitcs On protype was good - seems to averageabout 7.2kts with the volvo under nostrain.By the way the fuel tank has 94 useablegalls - not 100!  
Liveability I think it will be terrific - addingleeclothes to aft berth, two salonsettees (the port one makes a goodpilot berth) and fwd bunk.Haven't worked out where to stow everythingyet - might have to be creative!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) As before, absolutely incredible - theyshould elect Bohart and co. President -(of what? I hear you say!)  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Well we are going through the learningcurve with a dealer new to the Hunterfamily. Nice guys though, and their workis contracted to McDougall's Yard inFalmouth - a very proffesional bunch.The dealer is Cape Water Sports (CWS)  
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