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Review of the Hunter 26 by Ned Christensen

Year built 1995  
Location of boat Bellingham, 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 1998  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I would buy our 26 again. It has performed well and I think it is a good value for the money.  
Gear that's been added I have added Autohelm ST 30 Wind, speed, and depth. VHF, compass, GPS. I have added a 434 Sq. ft .75 oz assymetrical spinaker, flown from a beaded collar on the furulled head sail. It works very well. I have added a bimini and a Sunbrella hatch/companionway cover. The cover is weighted with sand in the bottom and works extremely well. It has a mesh  
Structural or complex improvements I would like to change two things that are, of course, compromises. 1- Greater headroom below. 2- Side decks on which to go forward. It is a pain to have to climb over the cabin top to go forward. I realize that to have side decks it would greatly reduce the available space below-a compromise, for sure.  
The boat's best features The water ballast works well for towing. The boat is a bit tender, however. We reef at about 12 knots of wind. It is easy to board from the stern, difficult from the side, if you have short legs. The alcohol stove works great. The enclosed head is nice, if small. The reversable table in the salon works great, as does the cockpit table.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The aluminum rudder stock will fail at the pivot bolt, if not reengineered. The holes become oblong from constant pressure from the rudder. It happened to ours and I know of others. The fix at a welding shop was $80.00. The top screws in the fiberglass companionway steps work loose and I have not been able to get them to stay tight, even with epoxy. It allows the steps to move slightly when descending. I will not give up, however.  
Sailing characterisitcs The 26 sails well in light air, with the big main and especially with the assymetrical spinaker. The boat is quite tender in winds above 10-12 knots, but reefing works well. I have sailed in winds up to 25 knots with double reefed main and furled jib. The high freeboard allows the bow to blow off in cross winds, making it hard to handle at times, in tight marinas. I have raced in PHRF and think the boat is a better crusier than a racer.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have a Honda 4 stroke 9.9 with electic start and alternator. It works very well. I have it mounted on a bracket mounted to the original wooden mount. The bracket allows the motor to be raised or lowered vertically and moves it far enough aft so that it can be pivoted at extreme angles for good manuverablily in tight spots. It backs up well. I always moor the boat  
Liveability I stay in my boat in the marina where it is presently moored, when I travel to that city for business. I have stayed many nights on it. For one or two people it works great. The bed under the cockpit is roomy and comfortable. I have shore power and use a small microwave. The head is cramped, but useable. The headroom is not adequate for anyone over about 5'8  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I have only dlet with them for a trailer part and it was uneventful. I bought the boat used,from a broker.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any The broker that sold me my boat was nice, but sloppy in preping the boat for sale, and completely screwed up the paperwork on the title and license. It took me a year to get it straight.  
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